GSA EXTENDS TERMINATION DATE FOR GOVERNMENT B/L FOR DOMESTIC MOVES

GSA EXTENDS TERMINATION DATE FOR GOVERNMENT B/L FOR DOMESTIC MOVES    U.S. General Services Administration has extended the retirement date of its domestic transport government bill of lading until March 31.
   The government bills of lading are Optional Forms 1103 and 1203 for privately owned personal property. A review by the GSA found that instead of transitioning to standard business practices, agencies were developing a new form to replace the government bill of lading.
   “Extending the retirement date for six months will give agencies more time to enhance electronic transportation systems currently in place and transition to the use of commercial practices,” the GSA said.
   While forms 1103 and 1203 will be terminated for domestic shipments, both forms will remain available for international and domestic overseas
shipments.
   “The government will need to transmit some type of shipping order to the transportation service provider, but not a bill of lading,” the GSA said. “The transmittal (preferably electronic) must include all information necessary for booking a shipment. In practicality these actions eliminate two government forms and transition agencies to the use of standard industry practice and electronic commerce.”