Summary

GAO was requested to review the Postal Service's site-acquisition practices to see if more effective consultation with local government officials is needed. Specifically, GAO was requested to determine whether the Service needs to: (1) change its procedures for informing affected communities about plans to construct or acquire new postal facilities or expand existing ones; and (2) provide a better explanation to the community of the area in which the Service would like to locate new facilities.

GAO believes that the Service's notification procedures are adequate and that its designation of a preferred area is an acceptable approach to site selection which provides a reference point for community input. However, the Service needs to provide more specific instructions for identifying the preferred area and provide guidance on what to do when sites are offered that are outside the preferred area.