Upcoming Audit Work

The Postal Service uses overtime to provide flexibility in meeting their service demands. Penalty overtime is a premium pay that eligible employees receive at the rate of two times their base hourly rate. In fiscal years (FY) 2020 through 2022, the Postal Service used about 60 million hours of penalty overtime at an estimated cost of $3.2 billion. Our objective is to assess the Postal Service’s management of penalty overtime. 

To address the need for greater package sorting capacity, the Postal Service has a plan to deploy numerous package sorting machines to mail processing facilities. Specifically, the Single Induction Package Sorter (SIPS) machines were deployed to locations which needed additional processing capacity. Our objective is to evaluate the strategic plan and performance of these SIPS machines. To evaluate performance, we will conduct observations at high and low performing facilities, review strategic plans and interview Postal Service management.

The Postal Service operates more than 8,500 pieces of automated equipment that processes and sorts nearly half the world’s mail. The mail processing and handling equipment environment includes networks, computer systems and equipment that manage, monitor, and control mail processing functions. These assets are vital for business operations and must be protected based on the criticality and sensitivity of the asset. Our objective is to determine whether the Postal Service has established and implemented adequate controls at selected Processing and Distribution Centers in the Southern California Division. 

The U.S. Postal Service is obligated to maintain the safety and security of its employees, mail, and assets to preserve the public’s trust. As part of its Delivering for America’s 10-year strategic plan, the Postal Service is building upon current safety programs to create the safest and healthiest environment possible for their employees. Our objective is to assess the safety and security of the Postal Service’s surface transportation network. We will conduct an assessment of highway contract route (HCR) and Postal Vehicle Service (PVS) drivers’ safety and security during fiscal year 2022.

The Postal Service relies on multiple channels to provide nationwide retail services. While Post Offices remain the primary physical outlet, nearly 2,500 Contract Postal Units (CPU) and Village Post Offices (VPO) nationwide provide other useful alternatives. CPUs and VPOs help reduce customer wait time in Post Offices, retain and increase Postal Service market share, reduce operational costs, and improve customer satisfaction. The objective of the audit is to assess the Postal Service's CPU and VPO programs. Specifically, we will (1) assess Postal Service oversight of CPUs and VPOs, and (2) evaluate Postal Service strategies for establishing new CPUs and VPOs.