Forwarders, Movers Protest Premature Implementation of DOD Moving Regs

Freight Forwarders and Movers file formal protest with GAO to delay implementation of Phase II of DOD "Families First" program.

Alexandria, VA (Issues Wire / PRWEB) February 11, 2008 -- A coalition of the nation's freight forwarders and moving companies is formally asking the federal government to temporarily delay implementing a new program to help move members of the U.S. armed forces and their families both domestically and internationally.

The Department of Defense (DOD) planned to begin seeking bids from companies interested in participating in the program, known as "Families First," on February 11, but the coalition argues DOD has not complied with the rulemaking process, thereby providing insufficient time for the private sector to review, comment, and prepare for the program's proposed new rules and procedures.

The protest, filed with the Government Accountability Office by individual members of the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America (HHGFAA) and the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA), requests DOD's Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and U.S. Transportation Command to delay moving shipments in Phase II of the program, currently scheduled to start March 31.

HHGFAA and AMSA stress they are not opposed to implementing the Families First program, but do support DOD's original plan to first conduct pilot programs at 14 domestic and four overseas U.S. military installations. Only after the Families First Program has been fully tested and proven reliable should it be rolled out at the remaining military facilities.

The complete filing is available at either Industry News & Alerts Section on www.hhgfaa.org or in the Newsroom Section on www.promover.org

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