Federal Reports

At the request of Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) Supply Chain, we audited AREVA NP, Inc.'s, calendar year 2012 and 2013 rate adjustments required under Contract No. 004027. The contract provided for AREVA to complete engineering, licensing, construction, and start-up operations of a single Bellefonte Nuclear Plant unit by the end of 2017. The objective of our audit was to determine if AREVA's rate adjustments were in accordance with the contract terms. In summary, we determined AREVA's 2012 and 2013 rate adjustments totaling $5,107,878 were overstated by $1,817,940. AREVA previously issued TVA credits totaling $607,637. Accordingly, TVA is due the remaining $1,210,303. In addition, we found AREVA billed $5,618,666 in labor costs and associated fee in 2012 and 2013 using cost center rates not included in the contract. Summary Only

We have all read the negative headlines of U.S. Postal Service’s looming financial demise. However, in its new paper, U.S. Postal Service Revenue: Is the Glass Half Empty or Half Full?, the OIG finds that the Postal Service may be turning a corner. An increase in parcel volume, significant cost reductions, and the exigent price increase are collectively driving an improvement in the Postal Service’s financial health. Nevertheless, the Postal Service still faces numerous challenges, including the continued and persistent decline in First-Class Mail volume, an ever-increasing number of delivery points, and an increased need to make investments for its future. While significant, these challenges are not insurmountable. In order to further improve its financial position, the Postal Service will need to focus on increasing the revenue yield of its traditional products wherever market forces and conditions allow, including taking advantage of the growing parcel market.