Minutes of the Industry Council Meeting June 26, 1996
Attendees-

Alan Wohlstetter, HHGTAA
Scott Michael, AMC
Terri Shaffer, NMSA
Greg Wakefield, AMA
Robert Graver, Hilldrup
Bill Hobson, GSA
Carla Young, GSA

The meeting was called to order by Carla Young, Centralized Household Goods Traffic Management Program (CHAMP), Program Management Office (PMO) General Services Administration, Kansas City, MO.

It was announced that the 1996-97 filing cycle was postponed. GSA will be notifying carriers of GSA's exercising its right under the TOS to extend carriers current rate tenders through December 31, 1996. Carrier's will have the option to extend and will be asked to submit their intent to extend in writing to GSA.

Additional service area pairs (SAP): Because of the postponement of the 1996 filing cycle, GSA now has time to move the off-shore points of Guam Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands to the international program, leave Mexico in the international program, and move Canada to the domestic program. Council members were advised that except for Japan, GSA had not received any written responses to the breaking up of countries into rate areas. Therefore, dividing countries into more than one service area will probably not be accomplished until 1997 Filing Cycle. Discussed Alaska with Greg Wakefield. He will be providing comments on Alaska to GSA based on a meeting of his membership. There will be no additional points added to Alaska in 1996. They will continue to be handled as OTO bid requests.

Special Services: Council was advised that the Federal Council was looking at the special service requirements in both the current Customs program and the solicitation for the Veterans Administration. GSA would be including generally these items in a draft RFO which would be the focus of the next Federal Council meeting.

Combining Domestic and International TOS's: During the April Council meeting, it was announced that GSA regional responsibilities had been realigned and that combining the Domestic and International TOS's would be the responsibility of. Region 7 (Ft. Worth). However, to ensure that both documents are brought up-to-date and combining both documents into one, Region 6 will assume the responsibility. It is R6 plan to have a draft available by October 1 for review and comments with final effective date January 1, 1997.

Section 6 of both TOS's regarding GSA Form 3080. These provisions will be rewritten to establish a formal mechanism for a carrier to challenge a rating. Will be changed to indicate it must be done in writing effective as soon as possible.

After review of comments and discussions with the Council, GSA has determined that it will readjust international scopes of carriers based on their approval application. Carriers scopes will be adjusted first for core countries and then adjusted based on non-core. Carriers will be receiving a letter showing their new scopes after this adjustment and may file rates effective with the 1996-97 Filing Cycle.

Overview of the code as to what it means:-1st position: alpha and identifies agency-2nd position: alpha or numeric and identifies Bureau/Division -3rd & 4th position: alpha or numeric and random assignment indicates location-5th position: numeric and identifies zone agency assigned to under National Account Manager Program as pay/non-paying agency.

Bill Hobson discussed that he has been charged to head the team to rewrite these provisions. The first meeting is scheduled for June 27, l996, to discuss transportation policies. The team will be looking at the use of credit cards, continued use of GBL's, etc. When the Team has reached a consensus, a draft will be distributed to industry for review and comments before going to the Federal Register for publication.

6. GSA Web pages. User ID's:

In approximately three (3) weeks, all user ID's will be on the Web and searchable. The list will be updated instantly upon assigning of number. List will be searchable on department, location, individual, or can download complete list.

Access to rate information: Carriers will be notified in 2-3 weeks of availability to open up a cost comparison for review. It will look like the one an agency currently receives. Carriers will need an ID number to access the system and IC's will only be assigned from the Web site location. This will be at no cost through 12/31/96. Beginning with the next filing cycle, January l, l997, all rate information will be on the Web site. Capability to search from point to point or download all rates. This availability will be a fee based (see below).

Publications: If the document is downloaded from the FTP, it will be at no cost. If GSA furnishes a hard copy or on a disk, there will be a fee associated with the cost of reproduction and distribution. If a Trade association wants to reproduce, GSA will wholesale it based on the Association needs and GSA will share in fee that the Association charges for the publication. There will be language included that if document is not obtained by other then an authorized source, it is not a valid document. This will apply to other documents, i.e. rates, agency mail list, user ID listing, etc.

What's new: This is a new addition that shows any new changes on the web site.

7. Carrier Affiliation.

Nothing new to report. GSA is planning in the next two weeks to send out a questionnaire to all carriers setting out alternatives with respect to carrier affiliation. There will be a 7-30 day return response. This issue has gone beyond the Program Management Office and the decision is now in the hands of the upper levels of GSA.

8. Veterans Administration Solicitation.

Richard Johnson is currently responding to questions received by our office for distribution. Any question should be directed to him.

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