U.S. Postal Service's Administration of Highway Contract Routes

The practices of the Postal Service for procuring highway transportation services were reviewed with emphasis on: (1) effects of contracting on postal motor vehicle service employment; (2) adequacy of policies and procedures regarding safety and security; (3) availability of data to assess performance of each mode of highway service; and (4) fairness of policies and procedures regarding contractor requests for cost increases.

On a nationwide basis the number of motor vehicle service employees and highway contracts have decreased slightly since 1976. Safety and security procedures are generally adequate, Postal Service ontime performance standards are usually achieved, and Service contract cost adjustment policies and procedures seem adequate.