Manual Flats Processing Operations at the Birmingham, AL, Processing and Distribution Center

We selected the Birmingham P&DC for review based on our analysis of manual flats productivity as measured by the Management Operating Data System (MODS). The Postal Service uses MODS data to plan workload, forecast workhours and mail volume, track mail processing activities, evaluate the efficiency of facilities, and estimate staffing requirements. In addition to its operational uses, the Postal Service uses MODS workhour data to calculate totals for many of the cost pools within the Clerks and Mail Handlers Cost Segment. Postal Service management and the Postal Regulatory Commission rely on accurate and precise product cost estimates to set postal prices and to reliably determine whether revenue for products and mail classes covers attributable costs. The Birmingham P&DC’s FY 2019 manual flats productivity of 100 mailpieces per hour was significantly lower than the national average productivity of 332 mailpieces per hour. Our objective was to assess manual flats processing operations at the Birmingham P&DC.