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Next make some decisions based on the information you’ve gathered and requirements such as governing regulations, contract, or tender of service requirements.
Packaging and equipment
Determine whether you need anything special in terms of packaging, protection equipment, or a trailer such as flatbeds, box truck, tanker, etc.
Accessorial services
Decide whether your shipment requires services above the basic transportation service of moving goods from point a to point b — also known as accessorial services or accessorials.
Additional stops - the TSP is required to make more than one stop for pickup or delivery
After Hours, Weekend or Holiday Service - pickup or delivery is required outside normal business hours as defined by your agreement with the TSP
Dual Driver Service - the shipment requires two drivers
Exclusive use - the trailer is locked and sealed at origin and only the shipper’s load is permitted on the trailer
Extra Labor - the TSP must provide persons to load or unload freight
Forklift Service - the TSP is required to provide a forklift for loading or unloading the van
Fuel surcharge - a charge to cover the fluctuating cost of fuel
Hydraulic lift gate service - a hydraulic platform to lift freight from ground level up to the level of the truck when freight is picked up or delivered
Notification Charge - the TSP is required to notify the receiver to schedule delivery
Special Permits - shipment requires the TSP to acquire special permits such as oversize or overweight limits
Mode
Choose the mode(s) you will use. The mode is a method of transportation, such as rail, motor, air, water, pipeline, or multimodal (two or more modes).
Your shipping urgency and any special handling requirements determine which mode of transportation you select. Each mode has unique requirements for documentation, liability, size, weight and delivery time. Hazardous materials, radioactive, and other specialized cargo may require special permits and may limit your choices.
Certain shipments may require two or more modes (multimodal). For example to ship via air, rail, or ocean you may need to arrange to have the cargo delivered by a truck to the air, rail, or ocean carrier.
Container requirements
Transportation service providers (TSPs) usually bundle cargo into larger units that can be easily handled, moved, and stacked. The customary cargo unit varies by mode and vehicle. If you don’t have enough cargo to fill a unit, you may need to get the TSP to consolidate your goods with those of others.
Mode
Customary cargo unit
What to do if your cargo doesn’t fill a unit
rail
container
What size containers are available?
Will the shipment fill a container or less than a container load (LCL)?
If LCL, you will need the cargo consolidated by a TSP.
motor
truckload
What size truckloads are available?
Will the shipment fill a truckload or less than a truckload (LTL)?
TSPs may charge for dimensional or actual weight when shipping small parcels or LTL.
air
pieces or pallets
Is the shipment going in pieces or on a pallet?
Ship pieces (not on a pallet) via a small package delivery service.
water
container
What size containers are available?
Will the shipment fill a container or less than a container load (LCL)?
If LCL, you will need the cargo consolidated by a TSP.
Procurement method
Select the procurement option that best suits the situation.
Use TMSS 2.0, our automated solution to manage your freight and household goods (HHG) shipments from booking a shipment online to settling the final bill.
Participating TMSS 2.0 TSPs consent to comply with a GSA tender of service, an agreement that includes rates and rules for performing general freight services for federal agencies.
The tender of service for HHG is the the Household Goods Tender of Service (HTOS) and it can be found by selecting “Reference Library” on the GSA Employee Relocation webpage.
Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) Transportation and Logistics Services Category
statutory authority to procure transportation on behalf of other agencies or
a delegation of authority from the GSA Administrator to procure transportation on behalf of other agencies
The contract must allow its use by other agencies
When shipping small parcels use the mandated solution, the Department of Defense’s Next Generation Delivery Services (NGDS) contract unless you have an approved exception.
Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations,
unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where
lodging is obtained.
Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely
surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within
those boundaries."
Per diem localities with county definitions shall include"all locations within, or entirely
surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties,
including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties
(unless otherwise listed separately)."
When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is
located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the
entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties,
even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.
U.S. General Services Administration