MTMC PREPARES 2003-04 OCEAN SERVICE CONTRACT SOLICITATION

MTMC PREPARES 2003-04 OCEAN SERVICE CONTRACT SOLICITATION    The U.S. Military Traffic Management Command has submitted a draft of its latest solicitation for ocean carrier services to U.S.-flag vessel operators for their review and comments.
   The military’s surface transportation logistics unit plans to have its final solicitation to the ocean carriers for the so-called Universal Service Contract No. 4 (USCO4) ready by July 29. The contract is expected to become effective on March 1, 2003, said Craig Robinson, contracting officer at MTMC.
   MTMC extended last year’s contract another six months, starting Sept. 1, to give itself more time to develop USCO4. Robinson said the extension will help the agency “further consolidate its rate structure and streamline the technical criteria used to evaluate carriers for contract awards.”
   In the coming months, MTMC officials will also hold “integrated product team” meetings with representatives from the carrier industry and the agency’s counterparts at the U.S. Transportation Command to refine USCO4.
   Under the current contract, six U.S.-flag carriers move the bulk of MTMC’s cargo on major routes: APL, Maersk Line, Lykes Lines, Farrell Lines (P&O Nedlloyd), Central Gulf Lines, and American Roll-on Roll-off Carrier. Overall, more than a dozen carriers, including about a half-dozen foreign-flag vessel operators, handle U.S. military freight under USCO3.
   USCO3 is valued at $325 million and involves the movement of more than 100,000 containers and 300,000 measurement tons to 130 countries. The half-year extension of the contract is expected to cover about 50,000 containers and 150,000 measurement tons, valued at $162.5 million, Craig said.