USPS OIG

This capping report includes a summary of the results of our audits of delivery operations and property conditions at three postal delivery units in the Tallahassee, FL, region. Delayed mail was an issue at all three units, with auditors finding just over a combined 5,400 pieces of delayed mail in a single day. Among other issues, we also found employees scanned packages improperly at the delivery unit, scanned packages away from the intended delivery point, or handled packages incorrectly at all three units. This report, which was in response to a congressional inquiry about delivery problems in the Florida District 1 area, includes six recommendations we made to improve the deficiencies we found: https://bit.ly/4edI5QV #USPSOIG #USPS #FloridaNews #mail

In October 2021, the Postal Service implemented Freight Auction (FA) to solicit bids to transport mail on an “as needed” basis with the flexibility to schedule trips without requiring contractual changes. Our auditors assessed the effectiveness of FA for Highway Contract Routes by visiting eight facilities covering the four USPS areas. We found the FA program could have been more effectively planned, standardized, and executed with proper internal controls. As an effect of the deficiencies observed, we estimated the Postal Service incurred about $199.1 million in questioned costs due to the lack of a proper control environment. The details and our 10 recommendations can be found in our report: https://bit.ly/3WXajsz #USPSOIG #USPS

We have an exciting opportunity in Albuquerque, NM for an experienced criminal investigator! The successful candidate must have experience in planning, conducting, and/or leading complex federal criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Why join USPS OIG? Be part of an exceptional team at one of the nation’s leading federal oversight agencies. Learn more and apply by August 14 here: https://bit.ly/3YwbGzx #USPSOIG #LawEnforcementJobs #AlbuquerqueJobs

The Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requires financial institutions in the U.S. to help government agencies detect and prevent money laundering and other financial crimes. Our auditors looked at the Postal Service’s BSA and anti-money laundering program for compliance with recordkeeping, reporting, and training regulations. While we found USPS generally complied with BSA recordkeeping and reporting requirements, that wasn’t the case for training: we found about 2,000 employees hadn’t completed the FY 23 annual BSA compliance training and did not appear in the training completion status report. Our report has further details. https://bit.ly/4dpM7nY #USPSOIG #USPS #CrimePrevention #MoneyLaundering

We have a great opportunity for a highly qualified audit manager in our Delivery Operations Directorate at either our Woburn, MA, or Warrendale, PA, field office. This directorate conducts audits to evaluate and assess whether USPS meets and executes its critical core functions effectively and efficiently to achieve on-time performance of last-mile delivery. If you’re passionate about fighting fraud, waste, and abuse, join one of the leading oversight agencies in the federal government. Learn more and apply by August 19 here: https://bit.ly/4fyvZCs #USPSOIG #jobs

Are you a student at an ABA accredited law school? We have an exciting College Student Intern Program unpaid position with our Office of General Counsel in Arlington, VA. We’re looking for a law student at the 1L, 2L, 3L, or LLM level. The successful candidate will research and assist attorneys who advise on audits, investigations, ethics, employment, litigation, contracts, federal appropriations, and other matters that arise. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain federal experience. Learn more about the position and apply by August 16 here: https://bit.ly/4fB6TCN #USPSOIG #jobs

While the postal market has undergone significant changes since the Postal Service was established, subsequent legislative reforms — including financial relief in 2022 — have left the general U.S. postal legal framework largely unchanged. Our new white paper reviews the complex legal framework applicable to USPS, identifying those laws and regulations that have had the most substantial impact on the agency’s business decision-making, finances, and operations. Increasing operating costs and declining mail volumes, combined with the limitations imposed by the current legislative and regulatory environment, continue to put pressure on its ability to efficiently fulfill its public service mission and respond to market challenges. Our white paper has the details, and a shorter digital story is also available: https://bit.ly/4fNPszl #USPSOIG #USPS #BusinessOrPublicService

The Postal Service has specific policies and procedures on the proper acceptance, processing, delivery, and documentation of Election and Political Mail. Our auditors evaluated USPS’s readiness for the timely processing and delivery of such mail for the 2024 general election by assessing operations during state primary elections. Between December 1, 2023, and April 30, 2024, USPS processed Political and Election Mail with on-time processing scores ranging from 97.01 to 98.17 percent. As a result of our observations and inquiries, we found USPS personnel didn’t always comply with policy and procedures, and we identified processes and policies that could pose a risk of delays in the processing and delivery of Election and Political Mail. We also discuss Delivering for America plan operational changes that pose additional risks to timely processing of Election Mail. As such, we made 10 recommendations to address the issues identified in the report: https://bit.ly/3SC0SvR #USPSOIG #USPS #mail

Smartphones improve business productivity, but also carry cyber threat risks that could compromise sensitive data. The Postal Service issued about 27,000 smartphones to its employees to connect to information systems and work-related applications. Our auditors examined the security of USPS’s smartphones and found opportunities for improvement. Despite the Postal Service’s ability to control, secure, and enforce policies on applications and operating systems installed on smartphones, USPS didn’t fully use its platform to adequately restrict the installation of or remove unapproved applications from smartphones. The agency also didn’t track the devices for unapproved applications or outdated operating systems, nor did it have a policy to do so. More details can be found in our report: https://bit.ly/3WrHcfj #USPSOIG #USPS #smartphones #security

The Postal Service’s fleet has over 250,000 vehicles of varying classes, including a majority of 130,000 Long-Life Vehicles (LLVs) — the iconic postal trucks we all know. However, LLVs are expensive to maintain and lack modern safety and operational features because they have exceeded their 24-year life span. To manage its aging fleet, USPS plans to acquire 106,480 new vehicles, including 66,230 battery-electric vehicles. The investment in new vehicles will require the replacement and disposal of its existing LLVs. Our auditors will assess USPS’s controls over the LLV disposal process and evaluate its disposal plans. If you have information that might be helpful to us, follow this link and click on “Contact” to let us know: https://bit.ly/3F3a4lN #USPSOIG #USPS #vehicles #EVs