Updates on the USPS “Delivering for America – DFA” Plan
This year, I was able to attend the National Postal Forum in Charlotte, NC from May 21-24 and am pleased to update AUSPL membership on progress being made on the DFA plan.
The 4000+ attendee event is the largest industry trade show focused on U S Postal Service related products and services. Presentations by the Postmaster General, Louis Dejoy, and USPS Officers provided updates on the progress being achieved in meeting their Delivering for America (DFA) initiatives. The many available workshops were led by industry experts and USPS managers.
A summary of key initiatives to change the USPS mail processing network include:
DFA objectives
- Six and seven-day mail and package delivery
- Service standards that achieve 95% on-time reliability
- A modernized vehicle fleet
- Best-in-class integrated mail and package processing network
- An optimized surface transportation network
- Implementation of new pricing plans
Overview of Facility Network
Currently there are 350 facilities that perform various mail processing functions. They are now called such names as Processing & Distribution Center; Network Distribution Center; Surface Transfer and Cross Dock Facility; and Parcel Support Annex.
Additionally, there are currently 19,000 delivery units. Many delivery units are co-located in the 32,000 Retail Facilities.
The new plan will re-configure how some of the Mail Processing and Retail Facilities are used.
- Regional Processing Distribution Centers (RPDC): Goal is to have 60 of them. 45 are existing facilities used for various mail processing operations. 15 are expected to be new facilities.
- Local Processing Centers (LPC): Goal is to have 180 LPCs. Many of these are amongst the current inventory of mail processing units. They will be reconfigured on how they process mail and packages.
- Sorting & Distribution Centers (S&DC’s): The goal is to have no less than 400 S&DC’s. The S&DC’s will relocate delivery routes from their current locations, which in most cases is a Main Post Office, a Retail Facility, or a Carrier Annex. Most of the S&DCs are existing facilities being reconfigured and adapted to accommodate the new operation.
A key ingredient to the DFA plan is improved utilization of ground transportation. There will be a marked decrease in usage of air transportation to move mail across the country.
The USPS will use the S&DCs to expedite delivery of parcels and decrease transportation costs. To this end, high speed Parcel Sorting Machines are being deployed to the S&DCs.
The introduction of Electric Vehicles (EVs) will be at select S&DC locations. These locations will have a concentration of delivery vehicles, sites with adequate parking, as well as electrical infrastructure that will accommodate installation of a charger for each USPS vehicle.
Retail Units losing delivery routes will remain open. A loss of personnel, such as Clerk craft positions, may be experienced. However, that staff will be moved to other Post Office facilities Excess space left at the Retail Units will be evaluated for how it can be used to meet new service initiatives.
How is the Plan Proceeding
- 6 S&DCs are operational
- 6 new RPDCs will be operational in 2023
- 6 LPCs will be operational in 2023
- 18 additional S&DCs planned for the remainder of 2023, for a total of 24
- 10+ RPDCs will be operational by the end of 2024
- 28+ LPC’s will be operational by the end of 2024
- 100 additional locations are being analyzed for possible S&DC conversion
AUSPL Response
It is important for AUSPL to stay current with the DFA initiatives, in particular those components that may affect the USPS leased facility inventory. AUSPL Board members will continue to meet members of Congress to inform them on how the DFA fallout may affect services to USPS customers. We will participate in organizations that interface with the USPS. We will stay in contact with USPS Facilities personnel and other USPS departments to gather information on how leased facilities will be used.
Keith E. LaShier, AUSPL President