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Open Audit Recommendations

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.

 
174
 
$333,721,785
Report Title Report Number Issue Date Report Open Recommendations
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USPS Response Mail Theft Cover
U.S. Postal Service’s Response to Mail Theft 22-178-R23 7
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Develop a plan to include proposed quantities, projected cost, and actionable milestones to fully deploy the eArrow lock and high security mailbox initiatives, and include measures to assess their effectiveness.

$0 Open Disagree
2

Provide new and acting managers and supervisors training on arrow key policies upon assuming their roles and maintain documentation of training attendance.

$0 Open Agree
3

Develop an oversight mechanism to hold managers and supervisors accountable for following established arrow key policy and training requirements.

$0 Open Agree
4

Finalize the Mail Theft Strategy that is under development by the end of calendar year 2023.

$0 Open Agree
5

Assess staffing resources available nationwide to support the Mail Theft Program and align resources with their Mail Theft Strategy.

$0 Open Disagree
6

Require postal inspectors to complete the In-Service Basic Mail Theft training within one year of being assigned to a mail theft team.

$0 Open Disagree
7

Work with the contracting officer to modify the existing contract and 1) define the Mail Theft Analytics Program purpose to improve complaint data quality and usefulness for division personnel, 2) develop internal controls such as guidance and an oversight mechanism, and 3) establish performance metrics to assess the effectiveness of the program.

$1,008,976 Open Disagree
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Penalty Overtime Cover
Penalty Overtime 23-065-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Implement consistent oversight procedures for facility management to verify penalty overtime transactions are being cleared before the pay week closes at each facility using the Missing 091 Transaction Report.

$140,856,063 Open Disagree
2

Reiterate policy on the use and daily clearing of the Missing 091 Transaction Report to ensure penalty overtime hours are categorized as authorized or unauthorized in the Time and Attendance Collection System.

$0 Closed Agree
3

Reiterate and clarify management responsibilities to complete the Postal Service Form 1017-B, Unauthorized Overtime Report, to include closed pay weeks, and provide oversight to ensure compliance.

$0 Closed Agree
4

Develop and implement a tracking mechanism to monitor unauthorized overtime and penalty overtime hours.

$0 Closed
5

Determine the feasibility of updating the Postal Service Form 1017-B, Unauthorized Overtime Record, to separate regular unauthorized overtime hours from unauthorized penalty overtime hours.

$0 Closed Agree
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Postal Service Customer Experience Cover
Postal Service Customer Experience - Delivery Surveys 23-033-R23 1
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Enhance contracting officer oversight to ensure suppliers adhere to contract terms, particularly those for requisite product inclusion, non-response bias mitigation, and address quality assessment completion.

$74,933 Closed Agree
2

Conduct a cost, benefit, and feasibility analysis on potential options for increasing local delivery response rates and developing more easily understood survey terminology.

$0 Open Disagree
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Transportation Workplace Safety Cover
Transportation Workplace Safety and Driver Security 23-055-R23 6
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Develop and implement an action plan, with milestones and measurable goals, to address all Highway Contract Route security clearance status issues identified during our site observations.

$0 Open Disagree
2

Require Administrative Officials to conduct periodic reviews to confirm all drivers have current security clearance documents, and create a follow-up process to timely address any identified issues.

$0 Closed Agree
3

Issue supplemental guidance to facility management on the importance of enforcing policy that requires all drivers to have valid and properly displayed identification badges.

$0 Open Disagree
4

Develop a national training program for expeditors to increase awareness of the requirements and importance of recording driver information and the PS Form 5500 in Surface Visibility for drivers without identification badges.

$0 Open Disagree
5

Develop a formal process to track and monitor that the expeditors are consistently recording PS Form 5500 when Highway Contract Route drivers arrive without valid identification badges.

$0 Closed Agree
6

Issue supplemental guidance directing facility management to enhance oversight by enforcing and monitoring compliance of the identified safety and security deficiencies.

$0 Open Disagree
7

Re-issue guidance and reiterate the importance of consistently observing Postal Vehicle Service drivers' driving practices after an accident.

$0 Closed Agree
8

Develop and implement an action plan, with milestones and measurable goals, to address all remaining open safety and security maintenance items identified during our site observations.

$0 Open Disagree
9

Develop a plan to perform periodic reviews to identify and address safety- and security-repair issues, and to track completion of work orders in a timely manner.

$0 Open Disagree
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Terminal Handling Services Phoenix Cover
Terminal Handling Services - Phoenix, AZ 23-092-R23 6
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Refine and reissue Key Performance Indicators associated with in-house Terminal Handling Services operations, to include conducting a study to formalize the density goal for container utilization and developing timeliness goals for mail volume arriving at the Terminal Handling Services from processing.

$0 Open Disagree
2

Perform periodic review of the density goal and communicate updated goals as needed.

$0 Open Agree
3

After issuance of the Key Performance Indicators, direct plant management to monitor daily operations and processing of mail to meet the Terminal Handling Services goals.

$11,005,201 Open Agree
4

Direct plant management to re-evaluate the operating windows to make changes which may improve timely arrival of mail at the Terminal Handling Services.

$0 Open Agree
5

Direct plant management to perform periodic reviews to verify the scale is functional and Terminal Handling Services personnel are weighing containers and accurately recording container weights.

$0 Open Agree
6

Conduct an after-action review, and implement lessons learned to increase operational efficiency and management oversight in future transitions.

$0 Open Disagree
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Address Management System Cover
Address Management System for Rural Routes 22-200-R23 5
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Develop an oversight process to hold delivery unit management accountable for submitting edit books timely and revise policy as needed.

$0 Open Agree
2

Develop a comprehensive training on the edit book process for new rural carriers. Additionally, develop refresher training and implement a plan for all rural carriers to complete the training periodically.

$0 Open Agree
3

Develop an oversight process for unit management to complete rural route inspections at least annually, to validate the accuracy of edit book activity in accordance with Postal Service policy.

$0 Open Agree
4

Develop a plan and update policy to require the use of the electronic system when submitting edit book updates.

$0 Open Agree
5

Determine the feasibility of developing an all-electronic edit book to replace current physical edit books. If feasible, develop a plan and implement policy requiring the use of electronic edit books.

$0 Open Agree
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PRC Acquisition Planning Contracting Cover
Postal Regulatory Commission Acquisition Planning and Contracting Practices 23-096-R23 4
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Update the purchasing policy regarding purchase order issuance, to include, at a minimum, requirements for use of Postal Service Form 8203, signatures, and documentation retention requirements.

$0 Open Agree
2

Develop and implement a tool, such as a checklist, to verify contracting personnel consistently complete, retain, and provide oversight of contract file documentation for each acquisition type.

$0 Open Agree
3

Update the purchasing policy to designate and clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of each individual involved in the acquisition planning and contracting process.

$0 Open Agree
4

Create a policy outlining comprehensive requirements to close contracts, including a checklist of closeout documentation.

$0 Open Agree
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USPS Loyalty Program Cover
The Path Forward for the Postal Service Loyalty Program 23-072-R23 3
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Establish performance targets aligned with the key objectives of a new loyalty program and establish parameters to actively monitor progress for effective program management.

$0 Open Agree
2

Develop a comprehensive communication strategy for a new loyalty program that promotes awareness of functionality for prospective, and once enrolled, ongoing customers.

$0 Open Agree
3

Conduct an evaluation of customer spending requirements and discounts, related to any future loyalty program, to ensure the program's design promotes customer engagement and shipping growth

$0 Open Agree
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23-035 Cover
Progress Made to Reduce Mail Excluded from Service Measurement 23-035-R23 4
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Explore and evaluate options to incentivize mailers to resolve mail exclusions.

$0 Open Agree
2

Communicate and provide training to Full-Service mailers on the online portal and exclusion tool, and on how to identify root causes and resolve mail exclusions.

$0 Open Agree
3

Develop and implement a strategy to track, identify, and record Service Performance Measurement defect codes and root causes.

$0 Open Disagree
4

Evaluate the feasibility of providing exclusion information at the mailpiece level to enable mailers to reduce Service Performance Measurement exclusions.

$0 Open Agree
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SDC Q1 Q2 Cover
Review of USPS Sorting and Delivery Centers in FY23 Q1 and Q2 23-062-R23 4
# Recommendation Value Status Management Response
1

Develop and implement policy to ensure all future Sorting and Delivery Center plans are consistently and clearly communicated and stakeholders are given the opportunity to report concerns.

$0 Open Agree
2

Develop a plan to ensure restroom, breakroom and locker room construction projects are completed prior to opening Sorting and Delivery Centers, or that there are acceptable alternatives, given the number of employees impacted, and that the alternatives meet all health and safety requirements.

$0 Open Agree
3

Evaluate whether construction projects related to the seven facilities were completed and develop a plan to address all outstanding construction and safety issues.

$0 Open Agree
4

Identify the cause of late Post Office Box up-times and take necessary action to ensure up-times are met. Additionally, develop a plan to mitigate issues with Post Office Box up-times prior to opening future S&DCs.

$0 Open Agree
5

Require documentation be maintained to verify sort programs are updated, loaded, and tested prior to opening new Sorting and Delivery Centers.

$0 Closed Agree