United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2005-07-28 monographic deposited born digital 57 p. GA 1.13:GAO-05-820 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820 P0b002ee180370046 f:d05820 DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820 GAO-05-820 Agency missions Data collection Data integrity Federal agency reorganization Internal controls Performance measures Postal rates Postal service Proposed legislation USPS Data Quality Study Other Written Product A31560 In 1999, the congressionally requested Data Quality Study (the Study) found opportunities to improve ratemaking data quality. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) agreed to make improvements, but concerns remained that it is still unclear, from an overall perspective, what actions USPS has taken to improve data quality. Ratemaking data quality has also factored into congressional deliberations to reform postal laws. Thus, questions remain about USPS's actions to improve ratemaking data quality and how proposed legislation will address long-standing issues in this area. GAO was asked to (1) describe key USPS actions that were responsive to the Study to improve the quality of ratemaking data and (2) discuss possible implications of postal reform legislation for ratemaking data quality. GAO did not assess the extent to which USPS's actions affected data quality. In its comments, USPS disagreed with GAO's finding on the need to reform the ratemaking structure. USPS also differed on GAO's finding that the legislation would likely lead to improving ratemaking data quality. It said "breakthrough improvements" would be unlikely without a significant increase in costs. GAO believes reform of the ratemaking structure is needed, but the outcome would depend on its implementation. Further, the legislative changes would likely lead to data quality improvements over time and at some cost. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820/html/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820/pdf/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820.pdf GAO-05-820 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-GAO-05-820 Other Written Product GAO-05-820; U.S. Postal Service: Improving Ratemaking Data Quality Through Postal Service Actions and Postal Reform Legislation; Agency missions Data collection Data integrity Federal agency reorganization Internal controls Performance measures Postal rates Postal service Proposed legislation USPS Data Quality Study Public Law 91-375