Updates from the Office of the Secretary of Defense on Installation Access and Cyber-Security

Our partners at the National Defense Transportation Association have passed along three new documents coming out of the Office of the Secretary of Defense that are of interest to DoD-Approved Transportation Service Providers (TSPs). The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics provided a bulletin dated 23 July on Motor Carrier Installation Access. Additionally, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment has provided a handful of slides describing what they are calling Project Spectrum; along with a more detailed Project Spectrum Capabilities Statement.

Update on Forthcoming Executive Order (EO) - Agency Review of Sea & Rail Industry Shipping Charges

Biden to take aim at rail, sea shipping competition -source

According to Reuters, the Biden Administration plans to issue an Executive Order (EO) in the next few days that will direct both the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) to address charges incurred by shippers, currently assessed by ocean carriers and the rail industry. As part of the directive, the EO will ask both agencies to specifically address the application and assessment of both detention and demurrage charges.

CHAMP Advisory Air Freight Surcharge Notice Effective 10-30-2020

Shifts in pricing for air shipments, including unaccompanied air baggage (UAB) shipments, have resulted in significant cost fluctuations for air freight services. The increase in air freight shipping can be attributed to demand for cargo space as the economy rebounds has resulted in pricing and capacity volatility worldwide.

UPDATE: USTRANSCOM Global Household Goods Contract

USTRANSCOM will thoroughly, fairly, and completely re-evaluate the four most competitive offers and select the one that presents the best overall benefit and the highest quality of service for our service members, DOD civilians, and their families. Each of the four finalists will be given the opportunity to submit a new written proposal and conduct an oral presentation and demonstration to the Source Selection Team in the course of this determination.

USTRANSCOM Peak Season Call (29 July)

The 29 July Peak Season call notes and slides are provided for your awareness. For those who participate in the call regularly, next week USTRANSCOM is changing the call over to MS TEAMS instead of the current dial in method. The TEAMS information is supposed to come out in an updated calendar appointment. Good conversation today about converted storage lots and some in DoD trying to re-activate those lots to DoD expense. Discussion on issues with third-party crating and reimbursements being out of synch with today’s realities. DoD asking TSPs to push the information from these calls out to their agent networks so the word gets down to everyone…for example mask policies, etc.

FMC Update: Fact Finding Investigation No. 29 Interim Recommendations

"The Fact Finding Officer proposes the following interim recommendations to the Commission. These recommendations are aimed at minimizing barriers to private party enforcement of the Shipping Act, clarifying Commission and industry processes, encouraging shippers, truckers, and other stakeholders to assist Commission enforcement efforts, and bolstering CADRS’ ability to facilitate fair and fast dispute resolution. The Fact Finding Officer also fully supports the Commission’s recently announced Vessel-Operating Common Carrier Audit Program and BOE’s continuing investigations into unreasonable demurrage and detention practices."

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Issues Updated Mask Guidance

Yesterday, the U.S. CDC issued new indoor masking recommendations and guidance, based on a county's (aka, locality/city) transmission level of COVID-19, seen most frequently in the US through the spread of the delta variant. On a 4-level scale (low to highly transmissible), indoor masking is recommended for those counties falling into the "substantial" or "high" transmission rate categories. See the current U.S. county list and transmission-level ratings. The U.S. CDC will update the county transmission ratings as new data is received.

Travel to the U.S. Restrictions to Remain in Place for Now

Despite travel opening up to Americans heading into the EU, Schengen region and Canada, the Biden Administration has held off on permitting entry from most countries for travel to the US deemed "non-essential", due to the high rate of transmission of the delta variant. IAM, alongside dozens of travel-focused trade organizations, several Members of Congress and some federal agency representatives continue to press for a reopening path and plan for international visitors.

U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Holds Meeting - Supply Chain Issues, Detention & Demurrage Charges & Fact Finding 29 Interim Recommendations Reviewed

In the open session of this morning's FMC meeting, Commissioner Rebecca Dye provided an update and an oral overview of Interim Recommendations for Fact Finding 29, tasked with reviewing and investigating international ocean transportation challenges. In addition to establishing container depots to alleviate some of the concerns raised and a continued review of detention and demurrage fee applications, she highlighted top-line interim recommendations.

Extended Storage Request for Offers Cover Letter Aug 23 2018

Consolidated 2018-2019 CHAMP RFO 1

General Services Administration Domestic 500A–2018 Tariff

Household Goods Tender of Service (GSA HTOS)

2018 International Tender and Solicitation Infromation