[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 236 (Friday, December 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73248-73249]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-23879]


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GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION


Establishment of a Transaction Fee for transportation services 
provided for the GSA, Office of Global Supply (FL).

AGENCY: Federal Acquisition Service, GSA.

ACTION: Proposed Rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: GSA proposes a change to the Freight Management Program (FMP), 
Standard Tender of Service (STOS), to establish a transaction fee for 
transportation services provided to the Eastern Distribution Center 
(EDC), Burlington, NJ, Western Distribution Center (WDC), French Camp, 
CA, and the National Industries for the Blind

[[Page 73249]]

(NIB) and National Industries for the Severely Handicapped (NISH). The 
proposed transaction fee of 4% of the total transportation charges will 
be deducted from transportation service provider (TSP) invoices prior 
to payment via the GSA Transportation Management Services Solution 
(TMSS).

DATES: Please submit your comments by January 9, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Mail comments to General Services Administration, Federal 
Acquisition Service, Travel and Transportation Management Division 
(FBL), 1901 South Bell Street, Crystal Mall Building 4, Room 812, 
Arlington, VA 22202, Attention: Ms. Mary Anne Sykes (Re: Federal 
Register comments)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Mary Anne Sykes, Transportation 
Programs Branch, by telephone at 703 605-2889 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    Through fiscal year 1994, the GSA transportation program was funded 
by appropriation. For fiscal year 1995 and beyond, Congress determined 
that certain GSA functions including the transportation management 
function would no longer be funded by direct appropriation. GSA is now 
industrially funded and as a result must charge fees to fund its 
transportation programs. Accordingly, GSA is establishing a transaction 
fee to help fund TMSS and the transportation management support 
services related directly to EDC, WDC, and NIB/NISH transportation. 
GSA's comprehensive web-based TMSS will be used to process the 
transportation transactions. The use of TMSS will increase the 
efficiency and effectiveness of transportation billing, prepayment 
audit, and payment. TSPs that provide transportation services for GSA, 
Global Supply (FL) will benefit from TMSS electronic billing, automated 
prepayment audit, faster payments, online transaction tracking, 
automated reports, and a complete audit history trail. There will be no 
action required on the part of the TSP, the 4% transaction fee will 
automatically be calculated by TMSS and deducted from the invoice by 
the GSA Finance Office when the payment is processed.

B. Substantive Changes

    The proposed transaction fee of 4% of the total FL transportation 
charges will be deducted from TSP invoices with rates effective May 1, 
2006.
    Note: Rate filing and program participation parameters will be 
outlined in the FMP, Request for Offer provided to industry.

    Dated: December 1, 2005.
Tauna T. Delmonico,
Director, Travel and Transportation Management Division (FBL), GSA.
[FR Doc. 05-23879 Filed 12-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6820-89-S