A significant number of independent contractors who deliver and collect mail for the U.S. Postal Service lack security clearances, engage in unsafe driving practices or don’t possess required English skills, threatening mail integrity, public safety, finances and the brand’s reputation, according to an audit by the organization’s inspector general.
The Postal Service contracts with individuals or companies, who supply their own vehicles, to provide mail service for homes and businesses, primarily in rural and underserved areas. In fiscal year 2025, the Postal Service had more than 8,273 active delivery service contracts, which cost about $593 million. The outsourcing program was established as a cost-effective way to extend the Postal Service’s reach without sunk costs for vehicles and personnel.
Why It Matters: The Office of Inspector General said in a report this week that local and headquarters management of the contractor program needs to be improved, noting that inconsistent security screening and badging created risks for unauthorized access to Postal Service facilities, while poor processes for motor vehicle accident reporting and insufficient evaluation of English proficiency compromised safety and mail security. Sloppy management also resulted in unnecessary spending because some local administrators made extra trip payments totaling $1.9 million using the incorrect rate, primarily due to inadequate training and inconsistent guidance.
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