Forwarders, movers: Program for armed forces should be delayed

Forwarders, movers: Program for armed forces should be delayed A coalition of U.S. freight forwarders and moving companies is formally asking the federal government to temporarily delay implementing a new program to help move members of the U.S. armed forces and their families both domestically and internationally.
   The Defense Department planned to begin seeking bids from companies interested in participating in the program, known as Families First, on Feb. 11, but the coalition argues the department has not complied with the rulemaking process, thereby providing insufficient time for the private sector to review, comment and prepare for the program’s proposed new rules and procedures.
   A protest has been filed with the Government Accountability Office by individual members of the Household Goods Forwarders Association of America (HHGFAA) and the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).
   They request the Defense Department’s Surface Deployment and Distribution Command and U.S. Transportation Command to delay moving shipments in the second phase of the program, scheduled to start March 31.
   HHGFAA and AMSA say they are not opposed to implementing the Families First program, but want the department to first conduct pilot programs at 14 domestic and four overseas U.S. military installations.
   “Only after the Families First Program has been fully tested and proven reliable should it be rolled out at the remaining military facilities,” the groups said in a statement.