BISMARCK – Sens. John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Congressman Kelly Armstrong issued a joint statement after the U.S. Postal Service Inspector General released its interim audit of facilities in Bismarck, Mandan and Minot.

“The USPS’s audit makes it clear that improvements are needed at postal facilities in Bismarck, Mandan and Minot,” the delegation said. “We will continue working to ensure USPS follows through on the recommended improvements and provides

timely mail service in our state, and we look forward to seeing the results of the full audit for the MN-ND District, which will include results and recommendations for Dickinson, Grand Forks and Fargo.”

Earlier this year, the delegation pressed the Inspector General to include North Dakota communities in its postal audit of the Minnesota-North Dakota District. The delegation also secured a commitment to audit postal facilities in Dickinson, Grand Forks and Fargo, which will be included in the full district audit report to be released in May. The delegation offices were briefed on the results of the interim audit and provided additional feedback as the Inspector General’s full audit proceeds.

Additionally, after the delegation outlined concerns with USPS plans to relocate mail processing in the state, the USPS Inspector General informed the delegation that it is conducting a review of the USPS’ nationwide effort to relocate mail processing at certain facilities. The North Dakota delegation has heard concerns from constituents regarding the Mail Processing Facility Reviews (MFPR) being undertaken in Bismarck and Grand Forks. This Inspector General report is expected to evaluate the MFPR process and include findings and recommendations on how to improve the process.

Regarding issues at the Bismarck Processing and Distribution Center, the audit recommended that district management:

– Properly allocate resources at the manual letter and flat operations units and verify the mail is sorted in time to meet dispatch daily.

– Verify supervisors are trained on proper mail flow procedures in processing operations and verify these procedures are followed.

– Identify and implement additional strategies to fill the supervisor of distribution operations vacancy.

– Train employees on recording the correct classification for outbound trips, particularly in indicating trips canceled versus those omitted because a contractor did not show up, and verify these procedures are followed.

– Verify all drivers are using wheel chocks.