Overview
FAR 47.301 establishes the framework for integrating transportation and traffic management into the federal acquisition process to ensure supplies are delivered timely, in good condition, and at the lowest valid cost. It mandates coordination between requiring activities, contracting officers, and transportation specialists to optimize logistics from solicitation through contract administration.
Key Rules
- Mandatory Consideration: Requiring activities must evaluate all transportation factors—including future distribution needs—and provide specific instructions to the contracting office.
- CO Coordination: Contracting officers are required to obtain transportation factors from traffic management offices for solicitations, awards, and contract modifications.
- Specialized Cargo: COs must seek transportation office participation for items that are unusually large, heavy, hazardous, or suitable for containerization to account for specialized costs like "blocking and bracing."
- Total Cost Evaluation: Agencies must consider the "total" transportation charges, including transit time, port capabilities, and the use of special equipment, rather than just the base freight rate.
- DTS Compliance: For shipments moving via military-controlled transport, agencies must adhere to DoD 4500.9-R (Defense Transportation Regulation) and designate a specific contract administration office for movement control.
- Terminal Restrictions: Contractors are strictly prohibited from shipping directly to military air or water terminals without specific authorization from the designated contract administration office.
Practical Implications
- Risk Mitigation: By involving transportation officers early, the government avoids "hidden" logistics costs that can arise from specialized handling requirements or circuitous routing.
- Logistical Oversight: For defense-related contracts, these rules ensure that the Defense Transportation System (DTS) maintains visibility and control over the flow of goods, preventing bottlenecks at military ports.