Update Number 21-0006B
Jan 27, 2021
— TSPs must ensure their account information is complete and up-to-date with current contact information. Specific account questions can be directed to the Systems Response Center via 1-800-462-2176 or via e-mail usarmy.scott.sddc.mbx.g6-src-dps-hd@mail.mil. As previously communicated, the DPS Program continues to prepare for enforcement of RPA policies on 1 February 2021. Please ensure all RPA account requests are submitted before this date.
Jan 27, 2021
— USTRANSCOM covered the readaheads per usual. No major changes in data noted. Per request of the Air Force, J9 is looking at adding Non-Temp Storage (NTS) and Direct Procurement Method (DPM) shipment totals to slide one; but they are trying to clean up that data first. They stated it appears right now that as an average, NTS and DPM represent about 85 shipments per week; but the flow of those shipments is obviously not smoothed out over the whole year.
Jan 27, 2021
— U.S. Transportation Command and the moving companies that carried 321,000 household goods shipments for military families during the COVID crisis earned a 96% approval rating from their customers, said Rick Marsh, Defense Personal Property Program director at U.S. Transportation Command.
Jan 26, 2021
— IAM conducted two Government and Military Webcasts in December (Dec. 9 & Dec.15) to discuss new DoD 2021 business rules. Based on those webcasts, IAM took participant questions and asked USTRANSCOM J9 for clarification. IAM received the attached response from J9 Operations.
Jan 20, 2021
— The 19 January Conditions-Based Movement call hosted by J9, which included industry and Service/JPPSO representatives, started out by covering the attached slides.
Jan 14, 2021
— Last night, the SBA announced that PPP eligible lenders with $1 billion or less in assets may submit both first and second draw applications beginning tomorrow, Friday, January 15th at 9 am ET. The SBA's application portal will fully open on Tuesday, January 19th to participating PPP lenders of all sizes for both first and second draw loan applications.
Jan 13, 2021
— The 12 Jan USTC call was relatively quick today, with the Services not raising any issues or concerns. The read-ahead slides are changing slightly. The first slide will transition in a minimal way over the next week or so, but not significantly. The peak season numbers will once again reflect weeks 20-35 instead of 20-45 like they did for part of 2020. The three year average information will be included, but not direct information from the preceding year the way 2019 data was reflected in the 2020 slides. And the new depiction of data on slides 4-6 will continue to be honed over time.
Update Number 21-0024
Jan 12, 2021
— USTRANSCOM’s Defense Personal Property Management Office (DPMO) released advisory #21-0024 announcing the details for the Spring Personal Property Forum (PPF) to be held on 31 Mar and 1 Apr. The PPF will be virtual. Registration is required. The advisory is posted on move.mil/sme as well.
Jan 6, 2021
— TRANSCOM’s Defense Personal Property Management Office (DPMO), also known by their staff designation, J9, started the New Year with the Conditions Based Movement Call. Per industry requests, J9 is working to add a couple new slides. They are a work-in-progress at this point.
Dec 23, 2020
— IAM has advocated that movers be included in COVID-19 vaccine priority with leaders from USTRANSCOM on a recent call. IAM’s President, Chuck White asked USTRANSCOM that if given the opportunity to advocate for how the vaccine is distributed, consideration be given to movers who enter the homes of Service Members to provide packing/pickup/unpacking capabilities. It would appear from the article at the link below that drivers and movers would likely be included in Phase 1c of the vaccination program.
Dec 22, 2020
— This update represents the final J9 call of the year. The next DoD-Industry call will occur on 5 January. There is nothing of significance on the read-ahead slides provided.
Dec 11, 2020
— The 10 Dec non-peak season call produced no major insights. Slide #6 was quickly skipped as it appears to have obvious data problems. Industry asked J9 to relook at slide 18, Missed RDDs as the numbers don’t appear to add up when you compare the percent of shipments that go into SIT; the overall missed RDD all shipments; and the missed RDDs direct delivery.
Dec 9, 2020
— There was nothing of particular significance covered on the J9 Read-ahead slides for the 8 Dec meeting. None of the Services had comments during their portion of the meeting. J9 provided just a few updates.
Dec 4, 2020
— Families joining troops on accompanied tours to overseas assignments could be a thing of the past in the proposed shift away from maintaining permanent bases in other nations, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said Thursday. Milley said he was concerned about military families living in overseas locations where they could be at risk.
Dec 2, 2020
— J9 stated they were appreciative of the work that went into industry and Service responses to business rules. They believe the changes made to business rules reflect that they are listening to our inputs and looking for common ground; but with an eye toward making changes they believe are pivotal to the customer and “tipping the scales” towards customer requirements.
Dec 1, 2020
— The below link to the government’s acquisition website features a Joint Base McGuire, Dix, Lakehurst (JBMDL) Draft DPM contract. The draft information outlining the acquisition action is attached for your reference. There are 10 attachments.
Nov 23, 2020
— FMC approved a Supplemental Order that expands the authority of Fact Finding 29, “International Ocean Transportation Supply Chain Engagement”. Commissioner Dye will lead the FMC's efforts into further investigation of ocean carriers operating in alliances, focusing on the Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Specifically, the Commission will review policies and practices related to detention and demurrage, container return and container availability.
Nov 10, 2020
— Today’s J9 call covered the attached slides in fairly quick order. Shipment pickups for the past 4 weeks have been slightly below the 3 year average. And current projections for the next 4-6 weeks are below the 3 year average. No insight provided as to why projected movements are slowing down.
Nov 4, 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.
Nov 4, 2020
— 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.
Oct 21, 2020
— For those of you who were on the IAM Virtual Annual Meeting Session called “An Inside Look at DoD’s Personal Property Program” there was much discussion on the USTC J9 Request for Information (RFI) put out to industry with regard to climate controlled facilities for NTS Retrograde and the removal of the 50 mile radius requirement for facilities needing to be near Oakland and Norfolk.
Oct 21, 2020
— Upsurge of COVID world-wide, and heading into cold/flu season is a stark reminder that the DoD Health Protocols are still in effect for industry and service members. These protocols will be rolled into the TOS for 2021. Read More.
Sep 24, 2020
— The counseling and shipment award numbers for the week remain above the average for this week. J9 mentioned they see this as reflective of the peak season shift to the right. Slide 4 shows short fuse returning to normal levels after a sustained significant increase going back to week 27 or so.
Sep 21, 2020
— IAM participated in all 4 PPF sessions with USTRANSCOM J9 and the Services/JPPSOs. Below is a “short” summary; but there were many topics covered and this is NOT an attempt to detail them all. If something gets glossed over that you are interested in, let me know and I can try to go into more detail. I did not focus on taking notes, but mostly followed along with the slides, the conversation, and the chat box.
Sep 3, 2020
— Tuesday’s J9 call with industry and the Services followed a recent trend of very little change in data presented on the J9 slides, and very little interaction in terms of questions, answers and issues during the main portion of the brief. IAM took the opportunity, along with a few TSPs to ask questions and raise concerns with some of DoD’s proposed 2021 business rules. Specifically, the proposals to move Hawaii, Okinawa, and Spain to a winner-take-all Special Solicitation for COS 4; and the requirement for TSPs to provide a customer service capability on Saturdays.
Aug 27, 2020
— We are in week 35…the last historical week of peak season. The calls are getting more subdued. We’re hoping to see continued volume into the fall well beyond the historical numbers of the past.
Aug 26, 2020
— The 25 August USTC J9 call with industry and government representatives was the shortest of the season. No major issues or sticking points between industry and JPPSOs arose. several items were addressed.
Aug 13, 2020
— Much of today’s Peak Season call again centered around projections of workload into the fall. Refusals are extremely low; blackouts are extremely low; suspensions are low; offer handling time is low. The projected increased volume into the Fall is yet to materialize in a meaningful way that TSPs can see.
Aug 12, 2020
— The General Services Administration’s (GSA) Employee Relocation Resource Center (ERRC) held their Centralized Traffic Management Household Goods Program (CHAMP) virtual pre-bid meeting on 10 and 11 August.
Aug 12, 2020
— The August 11, J9 Conditions-Based Movement Call included inputs from the USTC Deputy Commander, VADM Mewbourne, the J9 Director, Rick Marsh and representatives from JPPSOs, Service Headquarters and industry participants.
Aug 6, 2020
— Before getting into details on this week’s Peak Season call, IAM received an email from the USTC J9 Director, Rick Marsh with regard to latest status on Sec 889 of the NDAA; and TSP certification. Per Mr. Marsh, as of COB 5 August, they had only received compliance certifications from roughly half of the HHG/UB SCACs and just under 20% of the NTS SCACs. The deadline for sending in certifications is 9 August.
Jul 31, 2020
— Due to the lengthy correspondence IAM put out on Sec 889 of the NDAA that came from Tuesday’s J9 Conditions Based Movement call, the following inputs cover other topics from that Tuesday call below, along with the Thursday Peak Season call.
Jul 28, 2020
— USTC J9 just released the attached email/advisory on Sec 889 of the 2019 NDAA. It has significant implications on your ability to remain on the TDL and receive shipments in DP3 for HHG and NTS shipments, beyond 13 August of 2020. Please read it thoroughly and comply by 9 August.
Jul 28, 2020
— 13 August, 2020 marks the date where provisions of Section 889 of the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) take effect. Section 889 could potentially have an impact on your business. It’s time to start assessing if it does.
Jul 20, 2020
— Have you heard about Section 889 of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)? The legislation was passed to combat national security and intellectual property threats that face the United States and contains two prohibitions: Part A and Part B.
Update Number 20-0104
Jul 20, 2020
— USTRANSCOM J9 posted Advisory #20-0104 today (20 July) with notice that it is extending TSP’s ability to refuse shipments without punitive action for shipments with a requested pickup through 31 August. This does NOT authorize TSPs to turnback any previously accepted shipment. The advisory also states that short fuse expansion to 10 days will remain in effect until 24 August, where it will begin contracting one day at a time until back to 5 days on 28 August.
Jul 16, 2020
— Have you heard about Section 889 of the FY 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)? The legislation was passed to combat national security and intellectual property threats that face the United States and contains two prohibitions: Part A and Part B.
Jul 15, 2020
— On today’s J9 call (14 July), J9 started out by walking through the read-ahead slides. The data showed an increase in unpaid invoices. The J9 briefer noted the increase and stated it might be due to Syncada problems in the recent past; and due to the increase in the overall volume of invoices to process.
Jul 13, 2020
— At West Point and according to the Director of Emergency Services, if crew members meet the standard requirements for access to the installation and have official business, they will gain entry. They understand the criticality of the service being provided.
Jul 9, 2020
— The DP3 peak slides are for week 27, but depict week-26 data (21-27 June). The data shows we’re at 41% of the three-year average for pickups; and between 55 – 67% week to week over the past 5 weeks. Code 2 data reflects 7.9% of domestic shipments during the current peak season.
Jul 7, 2020
— U.S. Transportation Command has provided new details to support the highly-unusual decision it made last week when it re-awarded its $7.2 billion Global Household Goods contract (GHC) to the same vendor — just two weeks after had it pledged to take corrective action on the contested procurement.
Jun 30, 2020
— U.S. Transportation Command has re-awarded the potential $7.2B Global Household Goods Contract to American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier Groupafter the Government Accountability Office denied a protest of thecontract award and Transcom completed its assessment.
Apr 30, 2020
— On Tuesday, TRANSCOM J9 held their latest Stop Movement call with Services and industry representatives. A number of different issues were discussed.
Apr 22, 2020
— USTC J9 held their Stop Movement Update call on April 21. USTC Deputy Commander, VADM Mewbourne was on the call, along with the J9 Director, Rick Marsh, and a number of the J9 staff.
Apr 10, 2020
— GAO released their long-awaited report on their assessment of DoD’s Personal Property Program (DP3) and implications of transitioning to a single move manager under the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC).
Apr 7, 2020
— IAM and AMSA signed a joint letter to the USTC Commander, GEN Stephen Lyons, asking for any advocacy/assistance he could provide for this industry to work with DoD to get financial support.
Apr 7, 2020
— For companies whose operations have been curtailed or otherwise impacted by COVID-19 related restrictions, several clarifying guidance and forms were issued over the weekend, connected to programs created under the first three legislative relief packages to pass the Congress.
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.
