EXCLUSIVE: Coalition for Affordability and Prosperity urges USPS action on waste in USPS Ship program
The Coalition for Affordability and Prosperity is calling on the U.S. Postal Service to review and potentially terminate contracts tied to the controversial USPS Ship program, arguing that recent oversight findings and reporting have raised serious concerns about waste, contracting practices, and financial stewardship.
In a letter sent Thursday to Postmaster General David Steiner and obtained by the Washington Reporter, CAP Executive Director Chuck Flint urged USPS leadership to take “immediate action” to address what the group described as wasteful spending associated with the program. Chuck Flint is the former chief of staff for Senator Marsha Blackburn (R., Tenn.) and is considered one of the leading oversight voices in Washington.
The letter comes amid ongoing scrutiny of USPS Ship, a parcel technology initiative that has drawn attention from congressional investigators, watchdogs, and the USPS Office of Inspector General. The Washington Reporter previously reported on concerns surrounding USPS Ship and calls for greater accountability regarding contracts connected to the program.
“The Coalition for Affordability and Prosperity exists to fight the kinds of wasteful spending practices that drive up costs across the economy and make life less affordable for working families,” Flint wrote.
CAP specifically pointed to concerns surrounding contracts awarded to Accenture Federal Services and referenced oversight efforts examining procurement practices, contract management, and the overall value delivered through the initiative.
According to the letter, recent government findings and public reporting have raised questions about “contract management, procurement discipline, competitive bidding practices, and the overall justification for continued spending on the USPS Ship initiative despite longstanding concerns from watchdogs and stakeholders.”
The organization also cited previous findings from the USPS Office of Inspector General related to USPS Ship and the Postal Service’s reliance on outside contractors.
“Parcels are the oxygen of the USPS, without which the entire enterprise falls over,” Flint wrote. “The mismanagement of parcel technology and USPS Ship’s multi-billion dollar fraud are endangering our 250-year-old institution.”
The letter arrives as USPS continues to face financial pressures and scrutiny from lawmakers over spending priorities.
CAP argued that Americans should not be asked to accept wasteful expenditures while the Postal Service simultaneously warns Congress about operational and financial challenges.
The group also praised the efforts of House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, who has examined USPS Ship and related contracting issues.
“We are grateful for the leadership of House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer in examining these issues and pushing for accountability,” Flint wrote.
The letter was also copied to Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Rand Paul, and Ranking Member Gary Peters.
CAP called on USPS to fully cooperate with congressional oversight efforts and provide greater transparency regarding the scope, cost, and effectiveness of contracts tied to the USPS Ship program.
