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.
Develop and implement detailed procedures for calculating avoided costs and setting workshare discounts of First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail letters.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Develop and implement a process to regularly review non-recurring data inputs for First-Class Mail and Marketing Mail letter cost models to formally document whether they need to be updated.
Develop and require all users to complete Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System training and maintain documentation of training completion.
$0
Open
Disagree
2
Develop a verification process for annual physical equipment inventories to account for all equipment as required by the Inspection Service Manual.
$0
Open
Disagree
3
1) Review all postal inspectors with assigned equipment and validate they are active employees, 2) retrieve equipment from postal inspectors who separated from the agency, and 3) update the status and assignment of all equipment in the Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System.
$0
Open
Agree
4
In coordination with the Chief Counsel, Office of Counsel, implement a process, including defining roles and responsibilities, to review and update Postal Inspection Service policies and related documents timely.
$0
Open
Agree
5
In coordination with the Chief Counsel, Office of Counsel, update the Inspection Service Manual to 1) define, track, and maintain technical surveillance equipment, 2) assign the Radio Communications Program to the Communications, Governance, and Strategy group, and 3) replace all references of the National Asset Tracking System with the correct equipment inventory system.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Develop a standard operating procedure to assign Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System user roles based on individuals’ roles and responsibilities and to update or remove user roles when postal inspectors transfer jobs or separate from the agency. In addition, review current users of the system and determine if the roles need to be modified or removed in accordance with Postal Service policy.
$0
Open
Agree
7
Review user roles in the Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System and implement additional roles, as needed, to allow for the appropriate segregation of duties.
$0
Open
Agree
8
Implement audit logs containing user activity for creating, assigning, editing, and removing user roles in the Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System.
$0
Open
Agree
9
Resolve Electronic/Technical Surveillance Tracking System functionality errors preventing users from temporarily transferring, temporarily assigning, and recording the final disposition of law enforcement surveillance equipment, including digital signature capability.
Reinforce the operational procedures to conduct sweeps for mailpieces left behind after operations are completed at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Verify registry clerks prepare and dispatch registry items in a timely manner at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Identify and implement strategies to increase the number of on-time trips to plants from the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Establish and enforce an accountability process for scanners at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Provide an adequate number of scanners for employees to complete all required scans at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
Verify personnel responsible for Registered Mail properly safeguard registry items on the dock at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Verify all drivers are using wheel chocks at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Keep fire-fighting equipment and exit doors free from obstructions at all times at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
9
Upgrade the badge system and properly secure exit doors in the dock area of the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
10
Perform an analysis of improperly separated packages arriving at the Los Angeles Processing and Distribution Center from delivery units and document systemic issues into the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system.
Properly allocate resources at the manual operation units to sort mail in time to meet dispatch daily at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Closed
Agree
2
Develop and implement a plan to reduce the number of late trips at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
3
Analyze current transportation schedules at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center and implement appropriate changes to reduce dock congestion and minimize late trips.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Retrain all personnel responsible for Registered Mail on hand-to-hand registry item policies at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center and verify their compliance.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Verify all drivers are securing trailers and are using wheel chocks at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
$0
Open
Agree
6
Reiterate policy regarding the use of locks on trailer doors and keeping facility doors secured at the Saint Paul Processing and Distribution Center.
Strengthen the Parcel Return Service manifest verification process by incorporating the facility type as a required parameter.
$48,982,784
Open
Agree
2
Simplify the return delivery unit processes to improve compliance and enable better supervision.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Align package handling with Parcel Return Service procedures by 1) conducting a cost, benefit, and feasibility analysis for establishing and implementing an automated process, or 2) identifying and implementing alternatives to improve compliance.
$0
Open
Agree
4
Develop and maintain an accurate list of active return delivery units in the Facilities Database.
$0
Open
Agree
5
Enhance the Parcel Return Service refund review process to include an automated validation to verify that refunds are warranted, including an assessment of whether the return delivery units that received the packages were active at the time of mailing.
Execute a plan to adequately staff the Cragin, Daniel D. Doffyn, Northtown, and the Roger P. McAuliffe Stations so that all committed mail is delivered daily, and coordinate with Central Area Human Resources to fill the supervisor vacancy at the Roger P. McAuliffe Station.
$0
Open
Agree
2
Provide training to management at the Cragin, Daniel J. Doffyn, Northtown, and Roger P. McAuliffe Stations to enter all delayed mail into the proper system, and subsequently confirm delayed mail is reported accurately.
$0
Closed
Agree
3
Develop and execute a plan to ensure all employees are trained on standard operating procedures for package scanning and handling at the Cragin, Daniel D. Doffyn, Northtown, and the Roger P. McAuliffe Stations.
$0
Closed
Agree
4
Develop and execute a plan to verify unit management systematically reviews package scanning performance data daily and enforces compliance at the Cragin, Daniel D. Doffyn, Northtown, and the Roger P. McAuliffe Stations.
$0
Closed
Agree
5
Develop and execute a training plan that instructs management and assigned staff on proper arrow key management at the Daniel J. Doffyn, Northtown and Roger P. McAuliffe Stations.
$0
Closed
Agree
6
Establish a schedule and periodically review arrow keys to verify they are properly logged and accounted for, and ensure missing keys are reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at Daniel J. Doffyn Station and Roger P. McAuliffe Station.
$0
Closed
Agree
7
Time Keeping Management - Train management at the Cragin, Daniel J. Doffyn, and the Roger P. McAuliffe Stations on timekeeping records requirements and monitor compliance. Further, obtain appropriate Timekeeping Attendance and Collection System access for management at the Roger P. McAuliffe Station.
$0
Closed
Agree
8
Address all remaining building safety, security, and maintenance issues identified at the Cragin, Daniel J. Doffyn, Northtown, and Roger P. McAuliffe Stations.
Develop and implement training, including recurring refresher training for handling damaged medication packages and medication found loose in the mail.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
2
Develop and implement a process to review Priority Mail Open and Distribute scanning performance, which should include providing recurring training to employees responsible for conducting the scans and enforcing compliance with scanning requirements.
$0
Closed
Disagree
Agree
3
Develop and implement a control to prevent improper duplicate "Delivered" scans on the same package, including VA Pharmacy packages.
