The e-Gov/Mil newsletter is IAM’s twice-per-month summary of Department of Defense and Federal Agency news and notes related to, or impacting, government personal property shipping programs.

Biden Administration Officially Announces End to Non-Healthcare Vaccine Mandate Requirements

On May 1, the Biden Administration announced the end of current COVID-19 vaccine requirements for federal employees, federal contractors, and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11. This is the same day that the declared COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

This announcement includes ending current requirements for commercial drivers based in Mexico and Canada. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security provided additional clarity, announcing on the same day, that beginning May 12 they will no longer require non-U.S. travelers entering the U.S. via land ports of entry and ferry terminals to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, or provide related proof of vaccination.

IAM Annual Meeting Update: Entry Requirements for Canada

Official information about entry to Canada can be found on the Government of Canada website.

If you are unsure whether you need a visa to visit Canada, please visit Canada Immigration and Citizenship.

The visa application process can take several months, so IAM strongly encourages attendees to apply for visas as early as possible.

We look forward to seeing you in Toronto!

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the IAM Annual Meeting & Expo, please contact us at [email protected].

USTRANSCOM Peak Season Call (4 May)

Attached are slides and notes from today’s (4 May) Peak Season Call.  As usual, the slide Password is USTRANSCOM.  There is no Thursday afternoon call until next week (11 May).

Of note, I had problems getting on the call on time, and so missed some of the early questions/comments from the call.  And had audio issues and had trouble hearing. So I captured less of the conversations this week.

Quick updates of interest included in the notes attachment:

• TRANSCOM is coordinating COVID Protocol policy update with the Services. Hope to have an update by next week.
• When asked TRANSCOM and the Services say there is no backlog of shipments waiting to be counseled or booked in the system.
• The updated Non-Temp Storage tender of service modification that goes into effect 15 May has not yet been signed by 24% of the NTS providers. That has to happen by 15 May or those providers will be suspended.

Capitol Hill panel debates truck speed limiters, broker fraud

At a Capitol Hill hearing on regulations that keep the trucking industry from efficiently moving the nation’s freight, owner-operator representatives testified that the biggest impediment may be a speed limiter regulation yet to be rolled out.

“All kinds of studies show that when all traffic flows at the same speed, it’s much safer for everyone,” Lewie Pugh, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, told the highway subcommittee of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Wednesday.

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Making a military move? The road may be bumpy; these tips will help

As the moving season — from May to September — gear ups for service members and families, persistent problems with labor shortages make it difficult to predict what those moves will look like.

But there have been improvements in the rules for making a permanent change of station move, relating to replacement costs for items lost or destroyed and the handling of lithium batteries, privately owned firearms without serial numbers, gun safes, electronic products and other items, according to officials with the U.S. Transportation Command, the agency responsible for the household goods process.

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Gridiron Forwarding's Memorial Day Match for the AFW Scholarship Fund

You are hereby issued a challenge. Don Goldberg, chair of the Alan F. Wohlstetter Scholarship Fundraising Committee and President of Gridiron Forwarding Co., Inc in New Jersey, is matching donations made via the IAM website from May 22, 2023 through May 30, 2023 up to $10,000 USD.

You have never had a better or meaningful opportunity to donate. Let's make this happen!

The Benefits of Making a Gift:

• The opportunity to support the future of our industry, as well as the students who benefit from the scholarship.
• Your name/company name listed in The Portal magazine for a year from the date of donation.
• Your name/company name acknowledged during General Session at the IAM Annual Meeting & Expo.
• A potential tax deduction (consult your local tax professional).

Make Your Gift Today!

Portal Magazine

In every issue of the Portal, we invite our authors to share their experiences, success stories, learning experiences, and vision with others in the moving and forwarding industry. In addition to our regular columns, feature articles for each issue are united by a central theme.