Participation of transportation officers
Transportation officers must be actively involved in acquisition planning and evaluation to ensure all transportation factors are considered for government advantage.
Overview
FAR 47.301-2 requires that agency transportation officers actively participate in the solicitation and evaluation of offers for government contracts involving transportation. Their role is to ensure that all relevant transportation factors—such as costs, transit arrangements, time in transit, and port capabilities—are thoroughly considered. This participation is intended to help the government obtain the most advantageous transportation arrangements possible. Additionally, transportation officers are responsible for providing ongoing traffic management assistance throughout the acquisition cycle, as referenced in FAR 47.105. This ensures that transportation considerations are integrated from planning through contract execution, reducing risks and optimizing logistics for government acquisitions.
Key Rules
- Transportation Officer Participation
- Transportation officers must be involved in both the solicitation and evaluation phases to address all transportation-related factors.
- Comprehensive Transportation Consideration
- All relevant transportation elements (costs, transit time, arrangements, port capabilities) must be evaluated to benefit the government.
- Ongoing Traffic Management Assistance
- Transportation officers must provide continuous support and expertise throughout the acquisition process.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Coordinate with transportation officers during solicitation and evaluation; ensure transportation factors are addressed.
- Contractors: Provide accurate transportation information in offers; be prepared for evaluation of transportation aspects.
- Agencies: Assign qualified transportation officers and ensure their involvement in acquisitions with transportation components.
Practical Implications
- This section ensures transportation expertise is integrated into acquisition planning and execution, reducing costly oversights.
- Contractors should expect detailed scrutiny of transportation proposals and be ready to address government concerns.
- Common pitfalls include failing to involve transportation officers early or overlooking key transportation factors, which can lead to suboptimal contracts or increased costs.