Audit Reports

Background

The U.S. Postal Service’s Western Processing Region has about 84 Processing and Distribution Centers (P&DC) that assist in the Postal Service’s universal service obligation to bind the nation together and provide prompt, reliable, and efficient postal services to all communities. During fiscal year (FY) 2022, we evaluated the efficiency of operations at eight P&DCs in the Western Processing Region. These P&DCs spanned six different divisions and served a total population of about 27.49 million.

What We Did

Our objective was to summarize the audits of selected Postal Service P&DCs in the Western Processing Region during FY 2022 and evaluate recent load scan and transportation performance. Specifically, we reviewed load scan and late, canceled, and extra trip data for the period from October 2021 through December 2022 for the P&DCs with related recommendations.

What We Found

Although we noted improvement in load scanning at one P&DC, we determined that four of the five P&DCs were still not meeting the 92 percent scanning goal. When load scans are not completed, management is unable to rely on the data to make operational decisions. We also determined there were no notable improvements in the reduction of late, canceled, and extra outbound trips since the issuance of our reports. When there are late, canceled, and extra trips, there is an increased risk that the mail will not be delivered on time, which can adversely affect Postal Service customers, harm the brand, send mailers to competitors, increase operating costs, and cause the Postal Service to lose revenue. Postal Service Management has a current initiative to help increase Postal Vehicle Service drivers and a pilot program for a new Postal Vehicle Operator position to transport mail in vehicles that do not require commercial driver’s licenses.

Recommendation

We recommended management develop a plan to increase load scans to meet the scanning goal at Processing and Distribution Centers.