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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.

 
 
$577,801,054
Report Title Report Number Issue Date Report Open Recommendations
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FIeld Ops Service Review Processing Logistics Cover
Field Operations Service Review: Processing and Logistics Operations 25-067-R25 6
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Require annual training for personnel responsible for reporting mail conditions to improve mail condition reporting accuracy.

$0 Open 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.

$0 Open Agree
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Network Changes Local Transportation New Orleans Cover
Network Changes: Local Transportation Optimization in the New Orleans Region 25-057-R25 5
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop a formal contingency plan to mitigate service impacts during major, known disruptions in operations, such as Mardi Gras.

$0 Open Agree
2

Develop and implement, when needed, a localized retention and succession plan to ensure leadership and operational continuity.

$0 Open Disagree
3

Take appropriate steps to bring all post offices into compliance with the Depart Post Office scan policy.

$0 Open Agree
4

Review and update transportation schedules so they align with agreed-to schedules and are feasible to meet timely processing and delivery needs.

$0 Open Agree
5

Develop a system to review optimized post offices transportation performance and reinforce contracted truck driver route compliance.

$0 Open Agree
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Field Ops Service Review Cover
Field Operations Service Review: Delivery Operations 25-066-R25 6
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

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.

$0 Open Agree
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Finacial Controls and Safeguarding Assets Select Units Cover
Financial Controls and Safeguarding Assets at Selected Units 25-042-R25 4
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Reiterate policies to ensure refunds and voids are warranted and unit management is reviewing the Postal Service Form 1412 and supporting documentation.

$0 Open Agree
2

Update to ensure the Retail Systems Software receipts used to support the amount of voided postage include the dollar amount of the postage that was voided.

$0 Open Agree
3

Verify and ensure retail unit management is properly performing the monthly arrow key certification.

$0 Open Agree
4

Reiterate to unit management the policies for providing adequate security for all accountable items.

$0 Open Agree
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Cardboard Mail Transport Equipment Recycling Program - cover.
Cardboard Mail Transport Equipment Recycling Program 25-041-R25 5
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

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 Open 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 Open 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.

$0 Open Disagree
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USPIS Strategy Resources Cover
U.S. Postal Inspection Service Strategy and Resources 24-164-R25 5
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

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 Open 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.

$0 Open Disagree
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Communication of Local Changes to Priority Mail Express Service
Communication of Local Changes to Priority Mail Express Service 25-056-R25 6
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

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 Open Disagree
5

Develop policy and procedures to communicate mail product changes to retail personnel, ensuring they can accurately advise customers on those changes.

$0 Open Disagree
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 Open 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.

$189,601 Open Agree
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Efficiency Operations St Louis Hazelwood Cover
Efficiency of Operations at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center, Hazelwood, MO 25-098-R25 8
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Provide training to employees on the proper way to end the run on the Parcel Sorting Machines and monitor for compliance at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
2

Create and implement a process to verify machines are properly cleared of mail at the end of each operational run at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
3

Verify delayed mail counts are completed and entered correctly into the Mail Condition Visualization system at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
4

Use the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality system " Inter-Plant Quality report to communicate late arriving mail and resolve mail arrival issues with other processing facilities at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
5

Train mail clerks and processing supervisors on proper placarding, and provide oversight to verify these procedures are followed at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
6

Fill the vacant Postal Vehicle Service driver positions needed and hold employees accountable for attendance and performance issues at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
7

Provide training to employees on proper scanning procedures and verify supervisors are monitoring scanning to improve compliance with close, load, and unload scan goals at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
8

Resolve network connectivity at the St. Louis Network Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
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Efficiency Operations St Louis Cover
Efficiency of Operations at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center, St. Louis, MO 25-097-R25 11
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Develop and implement a plan to hire and retain enough employees to consistently reach and maintain authorized complement at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
2

Implement a plan to hold managers and supervisors accountable for addressing employees who do not follow workplace rules at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
3

Analyze and realign processing operations at all four St. Louis processing facilities to improve efficiency.

$0 Open Agree
4

Verify mail condition issues are communicated through the Mail Arrival Quality/Plant Arrival Quality tool at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
5

Develop a plan to verify employees attach accurate placards on mail transportation equipment and follow first in, first out order at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
6

Develop a strategy to consistently conduct proper preventative maintenance on machines at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
7

Develop a process to verify all delayed mail is reported in the Mail Condition Visualization system daily at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
8

Fill Postal Service driver vacancies at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
9

Develop and implement a plan to utilize dock space efficiently at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Closed Agree
10

Develop a plan to verify supervisors are monitoring scanning to improve compliance with load and unload scan goals at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
11

Develop and implement a plan to verify extra trips are properly recorded in the Surface Visibility Web system at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
12

Verify correct chain of custody procedures are followed for registry items at the St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center.

$0 Open Agree
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KY-WV Capping Cover
Kentucky-West Virginia District: Delivery Operations 25-074-R25 1
# Recommendation Value Status Initial Management Response Final Resolution
1

Train management at all delivery units in the district on the proper procedures for reporting delayed mail.

$0 Closed Agree
2

Provide adequate staff for the Iroquois Station and Pleasure Ridge Park Branch to process and deliver all committed mail daily.

$0 Open Agree