[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 36088]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14601]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Transportation Management Policy: Request for Comments on 
Discontinuing the Use of Standard Form (SF) 1113, Public Voucher for 
Transportation Charges and, and SF 1113-A (Memorandum Copy)

AGENCY:  Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services 
Administration (GSA).

ACTION:  Notice.

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SUMMARY:  The General Services Administration (GSA) is proposing to 
discontinue use of the Standard Form (SF) 1113, Public Voucher for 
Transportation Charges, and its memorandum copy, SF 1113-A, in the 
current paper format. As the Federal Government continues to align its 
long-standing business practices to reflect the best and most 
successful business practices used commercially, conversion to 
electronic commerce has become most significant. Accordingly, an 
approved electronic version of SF 1113 and SF 1113-A will be 
acceptable. Based on comments received, GSA also will determine the 
feasibility of allowing transportation service providers to use their 
individual invoices for the electronic billing of transportation 
charges.
    The General Services Administration is interested in all comments, 
especially from Government paying, finance, and disbursing offices, 
that specify the minimum information that must be included in any 
billing document submitted for payment.

DATES:  Send your written comments by August 27, 2004.

ADDRESSES:  Send your written comments to Ted J. Bembenek, Jr., Office 
of Governmentwide Policy (MTL), General Services Administration, 1800 F 
Street, NW., Room 1221-B, Washington, DC 20405. Send e-mail comments 
to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Ted J. Bembenek, Jr., Director, 
Transportation Management Policy Division, Office of Governmentwide 
Policy, GSA, at (202) 208-7629, or Internet e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    In lieu of other voucher forms, SF 1113 and SF 1113-A were first 
prescribed in 1943 by the General Accounting Office (GAO) to improve 
and standardize carrier freight billing procedures. The advantages and 
disadvantages of allowing carriers to use their own billing forms, in 
lieu of SF 1113 and SF 1113-A, were considered in the 1969 Joint Agency 
Transportation Study (JATS). Responses from most of the carriers and 
Government agencies queried in that study indicated a preference for 
using SF 1113 and SF 1113-A over individual carrier invoices. The 
agencies maintained that use of Government forms expedited the 
processing and paying of carrier bills, and the carriers indicated they 
were having no problems using these forms. The General Services 
Administration (GSA now prescribes use of SF 1113 and its memorandum 
copy, SF 1113-A ), in part 102-117 of the Federal Management Regulation 
(FMR) (41 CFR part 102-117).
    During the time that SF 1113 and SF 1113-A have been in use, there 
have been many management improvements in how the Government conducts 
its transportation business. Much of this effort is linked to the 
implementation of electronic Government as a critical tool to 
standardize and streamline processes related to transportation, as well 
as its other business lines. GSA is of the opinion that the 
Government's interests will not be compromised through electronic 
payment requests.

B. Request for Comments

    The General Services Administration (GSA) is seeking additional 
information. Transportation service providers and other interested 
parties are urged to participate by returning comments. Federal 
agencies' finance, paying, and disbursing offices are asked to identify 
the information that is required regardless of what payment instrument 
is submitted. Official address, contact, and due date for submitting 
comments are stated above.

    Dated: June 22, 2004.
Ted J. Bembenek, Jr.,
Director, Transportation Management Policy Division.
[FR Doc. 04-14601 Filed 6-25-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-14-S