Upcoming Audit Work

The U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General initiated fieldwork on the U.S. Postal Service’s Service Performance During the FY 2025 Peak Mailing Season. Our objective is to evaluate the U.S. Postal Service’s performance during the fiscal year (FY) 2025 peak and post seasons, the implementation of its peak season preparedness plan, and operational changes to the network potentially impacting performance. We plan to issue the final report in May 2025. 

Improved or Not? 
During FY 2023 and 2024, the Field Operations Review Team completed audits of delivery units throughout the country, assessing delivery operations and property conditions. We had findings with delayed mail, package scanning, and security of arrow keys at almost every unit. We made recommendations, or in some cases, management addressed the finding before we issued the report. 
This audit will evaluate trends with service and operational performance at previously audited delivery units and determine potential areas of improvement.

Improved or Not? 

During FY 2023 and 2024, the Field Operations Review Team (FORT) completed audits of various mail processing facilities throughout the country, evaluating their efficiency of operations. We had findings with delayed mail, scan compliance, and late and canceled trips at almost every facility. We made recommendations, or in some cases, management addressed the findings before we issued the report. Our objective will be to evaluate trends in service and operational performance at previously audited mail processing facilities to determine potential areas for improvement. 

The Postal Service opened the Atlanta Regional Processing and Distribution Center (RPDC) in February 2024 consolidating operations in the Atlanta area. In a previous audit, we found that the Postal Service faced serious challenges when implementing the Atlanta RPDC, leading to a significant decline in service performance in the Atlanta region. Our objective is to evaluate operations and service performance at the Atlanta RPDC and follow up on corrective actions taken by the Postal Service to improve performance.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s (USPIS) mission is to support and protect the U.S. Postal Service and its employees, infrastructure, and customers; enforce the laws that defend the nation’s mail system from illegal or dangerous use; and ensure public trust in the mail. USPIS prioritizes strategic goals and defines the tactical actions required to succeed in the current law enforcement environment.

On October 1, 2024, USPIS launched a new strategic plan, which expanded the previous strategic plan goals outlining both Key Mission and Business Priorities and includes actionable steps to address each priority. The Key Mission Priorities represent critical and emerging issues affecting the Postal Service’s employees, the postal infrastructure, and postal products, as well as the success of USPIS’s mission. Management states Key Business Priorities were developed through extensive research and communication with representatives from various headquarters and field operations.

Our objective is to assess the Postal Inspection Service’s strategy, resources, and strategic priorities used to accomplish its mission. Our audit scope will consist of an analysis of USPIS strategy and resources, to include its personnel and spending budget.