Upcoming Audit Work

In support of the Delivering for America Plan, the U.S. Postal Service plans to convert 400 facilities into Sorting and Distribution Centers (S&DC) beginning in November 2022. These centers will consolidate multiple delivery units into one facility, thereby reducing traffic between processing centers and post offices and increasing truck trailer utilization. The first six S&DCs were deployed as of February 2023, including two—Gainesville and Panama City S&DCs—in Florida 1 District. The objective of this audit is to assess the impact of S&DC implementation on surface transportation schedules in Florida 1 District.

The Postal Service has begun modernizing aspects of its retail network as part of its Delivering for America 10-Year Plan. It is moving carrier operations out from select facilities (spoke post offices) into nearby Sorting and Delivery Centers (S&DC) (hub post offices). These moves will impact postmaster’s day-to-day workload at spoke and hub offices. As more S&DCs will be implemented nationwide, the Postal Service will need to establish, communicate, and manage new postmaster workloads and roles. Our objective is to review the changing role of the postmaster in offices impacted by the implementation of S&DCs.

The U.S. Postal Service uses Freight Auction automation for its transportation contract solicitation, bid, review, selection, and award of extra trips for Highway Contract Routes. 
Our objective is to assess the effectiveness of the Freight Auction for Highway Contract Routes. The scope of this project is a nationwide review of Freight Auction trips for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Additionally, we plan to conduct site visits based on a judgmental sample selection.

As part of its 10-year Delivering for America plan, the Postal Service is modernizing its fleet with electric delivery vehicles and charging stations at hundreds of facilities. We are monitoring the Postal Service’s construction of charging stations, which is supported by congressional funding. Our auditors will evaluate the Postal Service’s site design and construction timelines related to its charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

The Postal Service developed Fiscal Year 2024 peak season preparedness initiatives to build upon the successes it had during prior peak seasons. The Postal Service’s initiatives spanned multiple functions, including processing and distribution, logistics, retail, and delivery operations. Our objective is to evaluate the Postal Service’s performance during the fiscal year (FY) 2024 peak mailing season and the implementation of its peak mailing season preparedness plan.