Below is a list of our open audit recommendations. When a report is issued, the Postal Service responds to each recommendation, and if there is agreement, it provides a corrective action plan with a date of planned implementation. We request written confirmation from the Postal Service when those corrective actions are completed and evaluate this information and provide concurrence when the recommendation can be closed.
If the Postal Service disagrees with a recommendation, we work towards agreement by elevating discussions between USPS and OIG management. Any recommendations that the Postal Service does not act on remain open and are reported to Congress until a resolution is achieved.
Extend the tracking and compliance reporting period for capital projects, based on asset type and dollar amount, to better assess the project's success.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Develop a centralized repository enabling management to access pertinent project documentation for effective tracking and reporting.
Document Priority Mail Express delays in the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system and coordinate with the Louisiana District Manager to resolve the Priority Mail Express issues.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Develop and implement a process to verify delayed mail count procedures are followed.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Coordinate with plant management to train clerks and supervisors at the New Orleans Processing and Distribution Center on proper mail flow procedures in processing operations and verify these procedures are followed.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Initiate the corrective action process with contractors not meeting their delivery schedules, as required by the Postal Operations Manual.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Coordinate to develop and implement a plan to verify load scanning at the New Orleans Processing and Distribution Center is consistently completed in accordance with policy.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Verify all drivers are using wheel chocks at the New Orleans Processing and Distribution Center.
Develop and execute a plan to evaluate Automated Guided Vehicle locations, and require and monitor usage to improve performance.
$28,832,154
Open
Agree
2
Train and share best practices and usage goals with personnel at processing facilities that will have Automated Guided Vehicles to improve performance.
$0
Open
Agree
3
Direct responsible personnel to confirm the accuracy of Automated Guided Vehicle capital asset listings and update information in the Solution for Enterprise Asset Management system and maintenance system records.
Instruct the Philadelphia P&DC to
perform and confirm completion of all required preventive maintenance on a consistent basis on the ADUS at Paschall Station
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Provide ongoing informal training for
SDUS clerks by a subject matter expert or on-the-job trainer at the unit, where the trainer can instruct personnel in the
proper procedures for daily preventive maintenance for the SDUS.
$0
Open
Agree
3
widely distribute - to include delivery units with package sorting equipment - a policy on the proper usage of emergency stop buttons.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Develop a plan to provide the delivery units visited with the resources needed to effectively run their operations, and in the interim, develop a plan to best use the resources on hand, taking into account optimal start times for machines based on employee availability and mail volume.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Require anyone assigned to operate package sorting machines within delivery units to receive training on the proper operation of that machine - including start up and shut down procedures and inducting mail onto the machine.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
Complete the ongoing project to effectively track and document changes, including the deployment of new equipment across the Postal Service network, to ensure that all machines are entered into eMARS timely.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Consider directing local management at the four delivery units visited to develop and maintain a method of communication between operations and maintenance personnel to improve transfer of knowledge of identified issues and solutions.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Instruct local management at the four delivery units visited to improve communication - to include the use of huddle boards - and oversight of package sorting machine performance to increase efficiency of the operation.
$0
Closed
Agree
9
Periodically reinforce to personnel at the four delivery units visited the need to open a MTSC ticket with complete and accurate information of identified maintenance issues, when required.
Develop guidance to
maintain an accurate, comprehensive, and up to date internal inventory of smartphones
in accordance with policies. At a minimum, the guidance should include roles and
responsibilities, frequency, and requirements for documenting evidence of reviews.
$84,555
Closed
Agree
2
Conduct an inventory of the Postal Service's current smartphones to be used as the baseline in Solution for Enterprise Asset Management before implementing the new system.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Develop a process to validate and confirm performance of inventory reviews by telecommunication contractors, as required by contractual agreements.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Develop a standard process to review the invoices for service level agreements and verify the accuracy of the contractor's delivery on a quarterly basis.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
File a claim, as appropriate, for the missed Inventory service level agreement the contractor reported, but did not credit the Postal Service for, as required by the contract statement of work.
$589,340
Closed
Agree
6
Update guidance and define specific responsibilities governing refreshing of unsupported smartphones, to include a process for identifying and replacing them.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Replace all unsupported smartphones with supported smartphones.
$0
Open
Agree
8
Develop a process to validate that cellular services for employees who have departed the organization are canceled timely.
$0
Closed
Agree
9
File a claim, if appropriate, for the overcharges the contractor invoiced and was paid for the separated employees.
Implement an electronic review and approval function within the existing digital repository of travel documents.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of either appointing personnel with full travel authority and oversight responsibility or allowing travelers to be responsible for submitting, tracking, and supporting their travel actions and expenses in eTravel.
$0
Open
Agree
3
Update the travel policy to reflect the needs of the Postal Regulatory Commission and align with agency priorities.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Create a training program about the travel process and require employees that travel to complete this training and retake as needed when changes to the process occur.
Implement weekly reviews of the Key Performance Indicators and assess penalties when performance targets are not met.
$281,973
Closed
Agree
2
Add all contractual Key Performance Indicators to the Surface Transfer Center Report Card.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Require local Surface Transfer Center officials to submit Postal Service Form 6166 to the supplier and to Headquarters management for increased visibility and decision making when performance targets are not met.
$0
Open
Agree
4
We recommend the Vice President, Transportation Strategy, in coordination with the Vice President, Logistics, include Key Performance Indicators in future Surface Transfer Center contracts that are renewed or awarded to suppliers.
Develop and implement a process for reoccurring communication of Cremated Remains acceptance procedures to retail clerks nationwide.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Develop and implement guidance requiring retail clerks to verify Cremated Remains are prepared and packaged in accordance with Postal Service policy.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Update the Cremated Remains acceptance procedures requiring retail clerks to place Cremated Remains packages in individual Priority Mail Express sacks at acceptance.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Reiterate the procedures for monitoring Cremated Remains and develop a process for validating that In-Plant personnel review the Informed Visibility report daily for delayed Cremated Remains packages in accordance with policy.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Evaluate the feasibility of requiring customers to use the Cremated Remains kit boxes when shipping Cremated Remains and revise policy as appropriate.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
Develop a plan to ensure Cremated Remains kit boxes are readily available to customers.
Update policies to more clearly define which documents are required in the task orders files and reinforce oversight requirements through formal communication and mandatory trainings.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Update the Supplying Principles and Practices and supplemental guidance to ensure required contract documents are stored in the applicable contracting system.
$0
Open
Agree
3
Implement a standardized process for all portfolios to include a completed Contract Award File Review checklist, signed by the contracting officer, in the contract file to ensure all required supporting documents for task order files are uploaded in the Contract Authoring Management System.
In coordination with the Vice President for Pricing and Costing and the Vice President for Product Solutions, further collaborate with stakeholders from the mailing industry to develop and implement initiatives with specific, measurable objectives to directly reduce Flats costs and address the causes of inefficiencies in Flats operations identified by the Postal Regulatory Commission.
