May 3, 2022
— Each week, IAM sends an update on logistics issues to Department of Defense, GSA, and Department of State Personal Property representatives. The report is put together by Pasha. Below is last Friday’s edition of that weekly report.
Apr 18, 2022
— IAM is pleased to provide the following comments and responses to questions posed within Docket 22-04, which requests input on metrics, standardization, and information around detention and demurrage (D&D) billing practices. We are also providing additional perspective regarding the significant impact these charges have long had on the HHGs moving industry, which follow the relevant questions posed.
Apr 6, 2022
— USTRANSCOM Commander Gen Van Ovost provided testimony to the Sea Power and Readiness subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee. While most of the testimony dealt with the wartime mobility capabilities of USTRANSCOM forces, there were a few questions on the Global Household Goods Contract sprinkled in. Read the entire testimony.
Mar 9, 2022
— Earlier today, the U.S. FMCSA issued amended current regulations to eliminate the requirement that drivers operating commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in interstate commerce submit a list of their convictions for traffic violations to their employers annually.
Mar 2, 2022
— In February, the U.S. FMCSA issued new guidance designed to safely increase the future available pool of CDL-qualified drivers into the marketplace. The guidance permits third-party testers to administer the knowledge portion of the CDL, without a state examiner needing to be present.
Mar 2, 2022
— On February 4, Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and John Thune (R-SD), joined by 12 Senate co-sponsors, introduced the Senate companion to the House-passed Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 (OSRA), H.R. 4996, which would improve fairness, establish boundaries and set metrics for fees often incurred by the household goods and global shipping community. IAM and other industry supporters were highlighted in the press release, which outlines the measures the legislation would take.
Update Number 22-0029
Feb 15, 2022
— The Defense Personal Property Management Office (DPMO) is pleased to open registration for the DOD Spring 2022 PPF, scheduled for 29-30 March 2022.
Feb 15, 2022
— The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) occasionally sends information of a broad transportation industry concern that IAM forwards for your use. The below message was provided to NDTA members for their consideration due to the mounting tensions with Russia.
Feb 8, 2022
— The Joint Personal Property Shipping Office San Antonio, TX (JPPSO-SC) is hosting our yearly Commercial Industry Meeting on Wednesday the 2nd March 2022 via Microsoft TEAMS. This year’s meeting goal is to improve communication, foster a better working relationship, and enhance the moving experience for our customers during this year’s expected difficult peak-season.
Feb 4, 2022
— The 2021-2022 Centralized Household Goods Traffic Management Program (CHAMP) Request for Offers (RFO) and the Extended Storage (XTOS) RFO (both dated August 24, 2021) identify the Supplemental Filing windows as opening on Monday, February 7, 2022. Due to the implementation of User Experience enhancements to TMSS 2.0, the Employee Relocation Resource Center (ERRC) is changing the opening date of both Supplemental Filing windows to February 9, 2022.
Jan 11, 2022
— USTRANSCOM Personal Property Directorate announced the Spring Personal Property Forum dates and provided information on registration in Advisory #22-0019.
Jan 10, 2022
— Based on notification from USTRANSCOM that they are releasing a modernized claims module in DPS on 21 January, IAM’s Claims Committee (IAM CC) presented a series of questions to USTRANSCOM’s DPS Branch Chief. Below are the questions and USTRANSCOM’s responses:
Jan 5, 2022
— The U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) issued three policy statements on December 29, 2021, that are intended to provide further guidance to shippers who are looking to bring complaints against shipping lines and terminal operators.
For many IAM members and international moving companies, it has been a challenging time dealing with the vessel and terminal operators here in the U.S. since the beginning of the pandemic. With this new guidance and the prospective passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act, the U.S. Government is the closest it has been in a long time toward rebalancing more power toward shippers. IAM will continue to review this information further and provide updates.
Dec 2, 2021
— TSPs are required to re-certify that they are in compliance with Section 889 of the 2019 NDAA. See advisory 22-0010 and certification form attached. This is required to be complete by 17 December; and only 30% of HHG TSPs have completed it (and 37% of NTS providers).
Dec 1, 2021
— The USTRANSCOM Defense Personal Property Management Office (J9) has signaled to IAM they plan to implement a change that they have studied over the past year. Starting on or about 15 January, the TSP’s Tax ID number (EIN) and business address will be used to submit the Importer Security Filing (ISF) 10+2 as the shipper. The current process lists the DoD customer’s information (which included the SSN) as the shipper. DoD has been working with Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to remove the member’s SSN from as much documentation as possible. For now, this change will only impact international Code of Service (COS) 4 shipments. USTC continues to study ways to remove the member’s SSN from other types of shipments, but to date there is no movement outside of the COS 4 shipments.
Dec 1, 2021
— Please see the notes and slides from today’s (30 Nov) USTC industry/Services/JPPSO call. The call went relatively quickly. The only major item brought up was the new DPS functionality associated with triggering a request for reweigh based on a customer being within 90% of their weight entitlement. This same issue was discussed on the 16 November call before it was implemented. While to me it changes the reweigh requirements to reflect 2022 business rules, in my engagement with USTC, they fall back on the fact that the program allows for the customer or the PPSO to request a reweigh on their shipment, and regardless of the parameters put on this new reweigh trigger, all the system is doing is requesting a reweigh on the customer’s behalf.
Nov 24, 2021
— Of interest to IAM members, the approved legislation incorporated the INVEST in America Act, also known as the highway reauthorization bill. This five-year authorization program requires the Dept. of Transportation, along with their sub-agencies, to incorporate new programs, review opportunities and challenges within industry and to establish priorities moving ahead.
Nov 22, 2021
— Last week, the Administration offered its support for the IAM-supported Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA), which would improve fairness, establish boundaries and set metrics for fees often incurred by the household goods and broader global shipping community. Support for the legislation has grown to 74 co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nov 16, 2021
— The one item of interest stems from an announced DPS upgrade this weekend, where TSPs will receive an email triggered from DPS if the member’s combined shipment weight is within 90% of their weight entitlement. We raised the issue that this is actually a reweigh requirement for 2022, not 2021. A more full account of the exchange is included in the meeting notes.
Nov 16, 2021
— Yesterday, IAM joined 84 leading shipper-focused trade associations, requesting the FMC issue clarification on the forthcoming Container Excess Dwell Fee (CEDF), scheduled to be issued to ocean carriers by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach beginning November 22nd. IAM shares the concern of other shipper-focused companies and associations, as the carriers have stated their intent to pass these charges through to the beneficial cargo owners (BCOs) and the broader shipper community.
Nov 15, 2021
— USTRANSCOM has provided the final version of their 2022 DP3 Business Rules (the Tender of Service; the International Tender; the 400NG; and the Claims & Liability Rules); each with a date of 5 November. Those rules are supposed to be posted to their new website any day now (https://www.ustranscom.mil/dp3/pdfs.cfm). The move.mil/sme site where business rules were formally posted is no longer active.
Nov 9, 2021
— Please see attached notes and slides from today’s (9 Nov) USTC industry/Services/JPPSO call. Overall a quiet and quick update, with no major inputs from the Services.
As a standing reminder: Be sure you file your CIP and COR in a timely manner. Per the CIP/COR advisory USTC states they will not provide additional messaging that the CIP and COR are due.
Nov 4, 2021
— It appears from multiple sources, that the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) will soon announce its decision to re-award the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), this time to HomeSafe Alliance. Per their website, “HomeSafe was formed to become the exclusive move management provider to the Department of Defense (DoD) in anticipation of the GHC award.
Nov 4, 2021
— This morning, the Biden Administration released details on far reaching requirements surrounding mandatory vaccinations (or weekly testing) for private-industry covered employers with over 100 or more employees, beginning January 4th. The rule, which will soon be published in the Federal Register by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), is the second Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) to be issued regarding COVID-19 workplace requirements (the first set of requirements were generally limited to the healthcare sector).
Nov 3, 2021
— Members Hear from the Association on a Variety of Pressing Topics
Those attending the recent IAM Annual Meeting (both in-person and virtually), learned the latest on a number of transportation-related issues at the forefront of member company interests, at both the U.S. regulatory and U.S. Congressional levels. Below is a recap of those topics, how the association has engaged and other issues the IAM continues to monitor.
Update Number 22-0005
Nov 2, 2021
— TSPs must review and update their Certificate of Independent Pricing (CIP) and Certificate of Responsibility (COR) before 17 December. This is mandatory, and failure to update the CIP and COR will disqualify TSPs from 2022 Rate Filing.
USTC will NOT provide any other notification to industry on this requirement. Failure to update in a timely manner will result in your disqualification from the program. Please read the entire advisory for all the details.
Oct 7, 2021
— Notes and slides from today’s (7 Oct) Non-Peak Season Call are attached. This was the first non-peak call. USTC conducted the call via TEAMS. This non-peak call will happen the first Thursday of each month up to April.
Some hot topics were discussed…transit times and missed RDDs. And USTC published another round of draft 2022 business rules at move.mil/sme under the header of “2022 Business Rules” on the front page below the “Advisories: section. They are looking for any industry comments on this round of draft rules by 15 Oct (next Friday). Those comments, like the original round of comments, are required to be submitted using a comment resolution matrix (CRM).
Update Number 21-0072C
Oct 6, 2021
— USTRANSCOM Extended the Crate Rate Increase and Liftvan/Packing Surcharge through 31 December 2021. See Advisory #21-0072C for full details.
Update Number 21-0031A
Oct 6, 2021
— USTRANSCOM PP Advisory #21-0031A outlines information about maintaining extended international transit times through Fiscal Year 2022 (30 Sep 2022). USTRANSCOM will continue to monitor transit times to assess the need beyond that timeframe.
Update Number 21-0081B
Oct 6, 2021
— USTRANSCOM has alerted industry via advisory #21-0081B, that they’ve updated guidance for the use of CONUS Non-DOD Approved (NDA) Storage-in-Transit (SIT) facilities. Of note, changes include that for shipments already in NDA warehouses, TSPs have until 31 December to deliver those shipments to customers. But no new shipments are allowed to be placed in NDA warehouses after 1 October. See the entire advisory for all the changes.
Update Number 21-0109
Oct 6, 2021
— USTRANSCOM sent out advisory #21-0109 to alert industry to changes in the System Response Center (help desk) contact information. There is a new address, new fax, and new local phone number as a result of a change in the contractor for the help desk.
Sep 29, 2021
— We are still working to get guidance from USTC on the movement of lithium batteries. I’ve continued to push on this from multiple areas. We heard today there have been two meetings on the topic, and a third is happening this week. It’s also received some interest with the HAZMAT experts on the DoD side; I’ve been in regular correspondence with one of those experts for a couple of months now. Trying to break something loose. Hopefully we can get clear guidance from DoD. Everyone wants to quote the hazardous materials regulations and have that suffice; but you have to be a hazmat expert to fully understand them. I’ve been through those regulations a number of times, looking for a clear silver bullet that would provide the insight that movers need when packing, labeling, moving these items. But I’m not smart enough to figure it out.
Sep 21, 2021
— Please see attached notes and slides from the 21 September USTC industry/Services/JPPSO call. Of note, two updates were provided of significance. First, the current COVID international transit times will continue on beyond 30 September. And the liftvan/packing surcharge will be extended until 31 December. The USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander, VADM Mewbourne was on the call and mentioned that the Senate Confirmation hearing for Gen Van Ovost (who will replace GEN Lyons as the USTRANSCOM Commander, if confirmed) is 23 September; and if all goes as planned, they expect the change of command to occur 15 October.
Sep 20, 2021
— IAM has received word that GEN Lyons’ replacement as the USTRANSCOM Commander (Gen Van Ovost) will have her confirmation hearing this Thursday, 23 September.
In preparation for that hearing, Gen Van Ovost received advance policy questions from the Armed Services Committee. Her replies to those questions are in the attached document. Of note, questions and her answers pertaining to the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) start on page 11. Her comments appear to be very much in line with GEN Lyons’ past comments on the GHC.
Assuming Gen Van Ovost is confirmed (and not aware of any reason she wouldn’t be), we’ve heard rumor her change of command would be in early October.
Sep 10, 2021
— On Sept. 9, the Biden Administration issued a far-reaching Executive Order (EO) focused on COVID-19 requirements for several employment sectors. The most significant of the directives is a requirement that companies with 100 or more employees either ensure their employees are either vaccinated OR provide proof of at least a weekly COVID-19 negative test result, prior to an employee entering the workplace.
Sep 1, 2021
— Please see attached notes and slides from the 31 Aug USTC industry/Services/JPPSO call.
Of particular note, Col Safranek (Brig Gen select) was on the call today and provided some short inputs at the end of the call. USTRANSCOM acknowledged they received over 300 comment resolution matrices (CRMs) from industry and are reviewing the inputs (thanks to everyone who provided inputs). And as stated after the last call, the Thursday peak calls are finished. DoD will transition now to a non-peak season call starting 14 October, and continuing every second Thursday of the month til next peak season. These Tuesday invite calls are ongoing until changed by DoD.
Aug 25, 2021
— Please see attached notes and slides from the 24 Aug USTC industry/Services/JPPSO call.
As a reminder, 2022 Business Rule comments are due to USTRANSCOM by 4:30 CDT Wednesday, 25 Aug.
Aug 11, 2021
— IAM created a summary of proposed DoD changes to 2022 business rules for the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3), all in one document. See advisory #21-0095 for details on commenting on the rules. All business rule documents and proposed changes are posted on move.mil/sme; along with a comment resolution matrix (CRM) spreadsheet, that must be used by industry to make comments or recommend changes to the 2022 business rules. Questions on filling out the CRM can be directed to the TRANSCOM Ops Team at: transcom.scott.tcj9.mbx.pp-ops@mail.mil; or to Dan Bradley on the IAM staff at daniel.bradley@iamovers.org.
Aug 11, 2021
— Please see attached notes and slides from the 10 August USTC industry/Services/JPPSO call.
The TRANSCOM Deputy Commander (VADM Mewbourne) was on the call, and engaged on an IAM question to USTC and the Services on what procedures a TSP should follow when an inconvenience claim is clearly out of the control of the TSP. He said he sensed that friction from the issues across the supply chain, and appreciated it being brought up; and believed it needed to be discussed. IAM has raised the issue on previous calls, and directly to USTC J9 leadership via correspondence with very little input to date. But with the Deputy Commander engaging on the topic, maybe we’ll see some movement on this issue.
Jul 29, 2021
— 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.
Jul 29, 2021
— "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."
Jul 28, 2021
— 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.
Jul 28, 2021
— 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.
Jul 28, 2021
— 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.
Jul 26, 2021
— 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.
Jul 23, 2021
— Notes and slides from the 22 July Peak Season Call. DoD is begging industry to communicate with the member and PPSO when a TSP can’t get an agent under a shipment. The earlier the member and JPPSO know, the more effective the DoD can be in helping arrange alternatives for the member…extended reporting dates, changes to leases or closing dates on homes (at origin and destination), actual cost reimbursement for a PPM. When that doesn’t happen, it’s often costing the member significant out of pocket expenses. And as anyone who has PCS’d knows, service members already face a wave of out of pocket expenses each time they move to a new duty station.
Jul 15, 2021
— Notes and slides from the 15 July Peak Season Call highlight a few common themes from industry and DoD. Another good job by many industry representatives to provide comments and raise issues/perspectives/potential actions. DoD received plenty of feedback today on the challenges facing the industry. JPPSOs are still imploring industry reps to be transparent on their ability to service a shipment and communicate with the member and JPPSO on those challenges so other potential solutions can be worked, and members can know what they are facing and make appropriate arrangements with regard to their lease, home sale, new duty assignment, etc.
Jul 13, 2021
— The 13 July USTRANSCOM Conditions Based Movement call covered the industry call readaheads presented by USTRANSCOM and the associated notes from the call.
Jul 8, 2021
— Today’s Peak Season Call continued with the themes of many of the previous week’s meetings. DoD is frustrated over late turnbacks of shipments and continue to urge industry to not accept shipments they can’t service…and when you find yourself in that situation, please communicate immediately with the customer and the personal property shipping office. Don’t delay. Good job on today’s call by many industry representatives to provide comments and raise issues/perspectives/potential actions. Please see the notes and slides from the call.
Jul 8, 2021
— Many of the same themes came out today from the DoD side as in previous weeks. Turnbacks, no-shows, and a need for more communication from industry as soon as possible when you might be having trouble getting a shipment serviced. Please remember the military member and the stress of getting out of their house/apartment per their contract; missing a flight to their next assignment, etc. I know this group fully understands that because you’re professionals, but that’s the theme of the call, and I wanted to pass that along. Please see notes and slides from the call.
Jun 9, 2021
— Yesterday evening, the U.S. Senate today passed by a vote of 68-32, S. 1260, the U.S. Competition and Innovation Act, which included a key provision directing the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury to ensure that any personally identifiable information, are removed from a vessel, aircraft, or vehicle manifest, before that manifest is provided for public disclosure.
May 6, 2021
— IAM President Charles White signed on to a joint letter to congressional leaders, urging them to reinstate the moving expense tax deduction effective Jan. 1 of this year, and also asked them to not increase corporate or individual tax rates at this time.
May 24, 2019
— This is the eighth in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
May 17, 2019
— This is the seventh in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
May 10, 2019
— This is the sixth in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
May 3, 2019
— This is the fifth in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
Apr 26, 2019
— This is the fourth in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
Apr 19, 2019
— This is the third in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
Apr 12, 2019
— This is the second in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
Apr 5, 2019
— This is the first in a series of op-eds that IAM is running to shed additional light on problems associated with privatizing the household goods program to a single source contractor.
Mar 29, 2019
— USTRANSCOM Public Affairs published a press release highlighting GEN Lyons’ meeting with CEOs from various moving companies who support DoD household goods movement, and a separate meeting with moving industry trade associations. The press release is not an accurate account of the events of those meetings. Industry attendees believe the tone of the press release implied industry’s support to the general’s decision to award a contract to a single provider. To be clear, most of DoD’s current household goods service providers do not support this initiative.
— This morning, the Trump Administration announced that community and minority owned lending institutions may begin processing PPP loan applications this Jan. 11. The program will initially reopen for first-time borrowers, and for second-time (aka "second draw") borrowers application processing to begin on Jan. 13.
— Please see attached letter from Ms. Ellen Lord, Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment, thanking industry for their commitment and focusing on maintaining the Defense Industrial Base. Also, please see the emails below which contain links to a short video from Secretary Esper, regarding them same.
