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.
Require annual training for personnel responsible for reporting mail conditions to improve mail condition reporting accuracy.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
In coordination with the Vice President, Technology Applications, create a line item for recording Priority Mail Express in the Mail Condition Visualization system.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
In coordination with the Vice President, Technology Applications, update policies and manuals related to condition reporting to include newly established categories and mail conversion rates in the Mail Condition Visualization system and Handbook M-32.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Reinforce inventory controls to ensure scanners are signed out and returned.
$0
Open
Agree
5
Develop and implement periodic reviews of scanner inventory.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Require a documented transportation review that tracks the root cause and planned mitigation tactics for facilities not meeting their transportation goals.
$0
Open
Disagree
7
Reiterate processes to ensure accountability over staff and contractors responsible for safety policies regarding wheel chocks, strapping of loads, and securing and locking mail being transported in trailers and cargo vans.
Automate Postal Service Form 1571, Undelivered Mail Report, for delayed mail reporting in the Delivery Condition Visualization system and require carriers to use the automated format at the end of the day to report undelivered mail.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Develop a process to identify delivery units with a high risk of unreported or underreported delayed mail, and follow up with district management to enforce compliance.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Develop and provide a standard work instruction that lists and links to the applicable reports and tools unit managers are required to use to monitor daily scanning compliance.
$0
Open
Disagree
4
Add instructions to the beginning of the certification screen in the RADAR system notifying supervisors of the current procedures for conducting arrow key certifications and have the system automatically generate a report notifying the U.S. Postal Inspection Service of any missing keys.
$0
Open
Disagree
5
Develop and implement program controls within the RADAR system to prevent managers from inputting inaccurate arrow key information.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Develop and implement a plan for district management to conduct targeted arrow key inventory reviews on a regular basis until new technological initiatives are fully implemented.
Develop an automated process to validate the accuracy of monthly recycling reports, invoices, and checks submitted by contractors, including a process to validate supporting documentation maintained by contractors.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Provide oversight of cardboard mail transport equipment inventory to ensure processing facilities only maintain a seven-day supply, and document facilities with exceptions to the policy.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Require processing facility management to annually certify proper cardboard mail transport equipment recycling and reuse business practices are in place and employees are aware of and following these practices.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Direct Plant Managers to enforce proper cardboard mail transport equipment recycling and reuse practices.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
1) Perform a cost benefit analysis for baling cardboard at all processing facilities, 2) provide balers for facilities identified to have a positive benefit, and 3) for the facilities that cannot accommodate a baler, document the approved deviations.
Discontinue supporting events that do not directly support the Postal Inspection Service's mission, reassess the allocation of personnel, and provide oversight of divisions' use of resources
$2,203,480
Open
Disagree
2
Update the strategic plan to ensure that all strategic goals have measurable key performance indicators.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Update instructions for developing performance measures and instruct preparers to revise key performance indicators, metrics, and division objectives to be specific, measurable, actionable, reasonable, and timely.
$0
Open
Disagree
4
revise the high-security collection box and high-security electronic locks installation performance measures to
include metrics within Postal Inspection Service's control.
$0
Open
Disagree
5
Establish internal controls to obtain periodic updates prior to the end of the quarter to ensure required quarterly and annual goals are met.
Implement policy and procedures that require coordination with all responsible parties to create and display notices in retail lobbies on any changes to service by the date the change becomes effective.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Identify and implement the best method for updating retail signage that aligns with the Priority Mail Express service guarantee offered by individual post offices.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Implement policy and procedures to ensure that the Postal Service public website is updated to reflect current service standards by the date the change becomes effective, and implement procedures to routinely review the website for accuracy.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Implement policy and procedures to post revisions to the Domestic Mail Manual on the Postal Explorer website in the next quarterly update after the change becomes effective.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
5
Develop policy and procedures to communicate mail product changes to retail personnel, ensuring they can accurately advise customers on those changes.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
6
Establish a requirement to clearly define the start and end date/time of any Priority Mail Express service guarantee suspension to be used by respective business units in communications, including Retail Service Talks, with retail personnel.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Establish standard operating procedures for requesting approval and implementing a Priority Mail Express service guarantee suspension expeditiously once impacts to nationwide operations are identified.
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager to develop and execute a plan to ensure the timely processing of nonmachinable packages and maintain a first in, first out processing order.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Assess mail volume and reevaluate operations in the Atlanta region to identify opportunities for more effective use of space, efficient processing and logistics operations, and cost optimization.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager to establish a method to identify, document, and address issues daily and hold managers accountable for recurring issues.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Plant Manager to manage unauthorized overtime and penalty overtime and monitor for compliance.
$8,225,268
Closed
Agree
5
Revise projected savings as staffing is balanced with additional facilities and operational needs in the region.
$0
Open
Disagree
6
Direct the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center Processing and Logistics managers to review daily scan data to identify problem areas and correct issues to achieve current scanning goals.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Develop a plan to immediately improve performance against transportation key performance indicators at the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Ensure that transportation schedules are reviewed and adjusted to capture potential cost savings for unnecessary trips.
Update their methodology to evaluate merchant data compliance to include analyzing the volume of packages without unique data for each platform.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Reiterate existing compliance policies to supervisors to drive consistent and effective implementation by staff.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Some or all of the recommendation is not publicly available due to concerns with information protected under the Freedom of Information Act.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Identify and address Merchant Rate Card platforms' technical compliance issues to improve rate accuracy.
$0
Open
Agree
5
Require quarterly business reviews to include data analytics to validate the platforms charge accurate postage and fees and resolve platform issues.
$0
Open
Disagree
6
Coordinate with platforms to collect previously undetected short-payments resulting from postage discrepancies identifiable based on package information transmitted to the Postal Service.
$958,697
Open
Disagree
7
Coordinate with platforms to refund previously undetected over-payments resulting from postage discrepancies identifiable based on package information transmitted to the Postal Service.
Develop an approach to estimate and track Commercial Mail Receiving Agency program-related costs.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Develop and implement an approach to generate revenue to offset all Commercial Mail Receiving Agency-related costs.
$5,183,144
Open
Disagree
3
Update Commercial Mail Receiving Agency application, mail sample, and data quality review policies to include additional detail regarding the timing, scope, and documentation.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Develop strategies to better communicate policies and related updates to Postal Service field staff and Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies, including those for reviewing, vetting, and documenting applications and conducting mail samples and data quality reviews.
$0
Open
Disagree
5
Develop and implement internal controls for ensuring effective local staff compliance and oversight with key program responsibilities, including reviewing, vetting, and documenting applications (using the current PS Form 1583-A version) and conducting mail samples and data quality reviews.
