Upcoming Audit Work

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.

As part of their Delivering for America plan, the Postal Service plans to invest $40 billion to network modernization, based around Regional Processing and Distribution Centers (RPDCs), Local Processing Centers (LPCs), and Sorting and Distribution Centers (SDCs). Overall, the Postal Service will establish 60 RPDCs to consolidate mail processing operations and create fewer points in the processing and transportation networks. Each RPDC will process mail and packages originating in its service area and have one or more LPCs associated with it. This audit will focus on the network transformation and consolidation of operations at the Boise, Idaho RPDC.

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 U.S. Postal Service is redesigning its surface transportation network to reduce costs by moving more mail volume in fewer “middle mile” trips. To achieve this, the Postal Service implemented Regional Transfer Hubs (RTHs) where mail volume is consolidated before dispatch to the network and incoming volume is sorted for regional distribution. RTHs enable the Postal Service to increase trailer utilization, a measurement of how full trailers are, reducing the number of trips needed to move mail in the network.
Our objective is to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the Postal Service's Regional Transfer Hub initiative.