[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 57 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 14431] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-7720] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Program for Qualifying Department of Defense (DOD) Brokers AGENCY: Military Traffic Management Command, DOD. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In previous Federal Register notice (Vol. 62, No. 27, pages 5962-5963) Monday, February 10, 1997, the Headquarters, Military Traffic Management Command (HQMTMC) announced a request for comments on the Program for Qualifying Department of Defense (DoD) Brokers. Due to comments received concerning the earlier notice, HQMTMC has decided to test the Broker Program for a period of one year, beginning June 1, 1998 and ending June 1, 1999. Brokers will be allowed to participate in the movement of all DoD freight except for shipments requiring Transportation Protection Services (TPS). Brokers will be evaluated using the same rules as those applied to carriers who are currently approved to do business with the DoD. ADDRESSES: Headquarters, Military Traffic Management Command, ATTN: MTOP-QQ, Room 630, 5611 Columbia Pike, Falls Church, Virginia 22041- 5050. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick Wirtz, MTOP-QQ, telephone 703-681-6393. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: MTMC is the agency established within the DoD for the procurement of land transportation services from commercial carriers on behalf of DOD shippers. Historically brokers could not participate in DOD traffic because the broker was an intermediary between the shipper and the carrier, essentially duplicating the mission performed by MTMC of matching the DOD shipper's requirements with a carrier which can accommodate the move. Brokers were not carriers, did not perform transportation, did not assume responsibility for the transportation, and did not publish tariffs or offer Government rate tenders, or enter into Government bills of lading (GBLs) or other transportation contracts. Today, in the deregulated transportation environment, brokers can and do conduct carrier operations, perform transportation, and assume responsibility for the transportation, and no reason appears why they may not voluntarily enter into the DOD standard tender/GBL and other transportation contracts arranged by MTMC. Consequently, MTMC is not proposing to change its policy in order to offer brokers the opportunity to qualify for participation in DOD transportation procurements, except shipments requiring a Transportation Protective Services (TPS). Under MTMC's new policy, brokers interested in completing for DOD traffic, except TPS shipments, could apply for qualification by executing the basic Agreement, and by complying with requirements for submission of evidence of insurance (public liability and cargo), a list of underlying carriers which the broker intends to use in the movement of DOD shipments, a performance bond, and other standard requirements. Frederick G. Wirtz, Traffic Management Specialist. [FR Doc. 98-7720 Filed 3-24-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3710-08-M