Postal Service's Expenditure of Funds for Painting the Windows and Other Work at the Post Office in Jackson, TN

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the Postal Service's expenditure of funds for work at a local post office facility.

The Postal Service awarded a contract to one of eight bidders for work which included painting the interior of a post office buildng and refurbishing all exterior wood windows. The completion date set forth in the solicitation was extended due to some confusion over terminology in the specifications. After the postal service made verbal and written clarification, the contractor advised that work would proceed to completion by that date. However, the contractor stopped performing the required work several weeks before the completion date, leaving it unfinished. The Postal Service requested comments from the contractor on whether its failure to complete the work arose out of causes beyond its control and without fault or negligence on its part, but no response was received. Pursuant to contract provisions, the Postal Service terminated the contract and readvertised for the work. Since more work was required under a new contract, it resulted in the Postal Service's spending more money than anticipated under the first contract. The second contract was awarded, and the work at the post office facility was completed.