Volume movements within the contiguous United States
Contractors and agencies must track and report large aggregate freight shipments within the contiguous U.S. when they meet defined volume thresholds, ensuring compliance with DoD or GSA reporting requirements.
Overview
FAR 47.207-11 defines what constitutes a "volume movement" of freight within the contiguous United States for both Department of Defense (DoD) and civilian agency contracts. It establishes specific thresholds for aggregate shipments that trigger additional reporting and administrative requirements. For DoD, a volume movement is 25 carloads, 25 truckloads, or 500,000 pounds or more from one origin to one destination during the contract period. For civilian agencies, the threshold is 50 short tons (100,000 pounds). The regulation also outlines the reporting responsibilities for transportation personnel, specifying that DoD activities must report to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) per DoD 4500.9-R, while civilian agencies report to the local GSA Office of Transportation. These requirements ensure proper oversight and coordination of large-scale freight movements under government contracts.
Key Rules
- Definition of Volume Movement
- Sets specific thresholds for what qualifies as a volume movement for DoD and civilian agencies.
- Reporting Requirements
- Mandates reporting of planned and actual volume movements to designated authorities (SDDC for DoD, GSA for civilian agencies) in accordance with agency regulations.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure contract administration accounts for volume movement thresholds and reporting obligations.
- Contractors: Coordinate with agency transportation personnel to facilitate required reporting.
- Agencies: Assign transportation personnel to monitor, document, and report qualifying volume movements as specified.
Practical Implications
- This section exists to ensure large-scale freight movements are tracked and managed efficiently, preventing logistical issues and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Contractors and agency personnel must be vigilant about shipment aggregation to avoid missing reporting triggers.
- Common pitfalls include underestimating aggregate shipment volumes or failing to report as required, which can lead to compliance issues or logistical delays.