The US Court of Federal Claims has rejected protests over the award of US Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM)’s billion-dollar, single-move-manager Global Household Goods Contract (GHC) to HomeSafe Alliance.
Two of the losing bidders – Connected Global Solutions, LLC (CGSL) and American Roll-on-Roll-Off Carrier Group (ARC) – had contested the award decision, which was announced at the beginning of November 2021. An initial transition period began on March 3 this year but was paused on March 20 after the court filings – it can resume as the result of this ruling.
‘USTRANSCOM is fully committed to our mission, and our success is underpinned by our Total Force team. Our families deserve a safe and quality moving experience and with this ruling, we move closer to that goal,’ said Air Force General Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander, USTRANSCOM. ‘The wellbeing of every one of our teammates, not just professionally, but personally, is the key to our accomplishments.’
The DoD business is reportedly worth an estimated US$7.2 billion during the transition period and its first three years; and nearly $20 billion throughout its longest possible nine-year duration. According to USTRANSCOM, the move to a single move manager is part of its broader plan ‘to improve the relocation process for service members, civilians, and their families, and integrates functions currently performed by more than 900 commercial entities’.
‘The favourable decisions from both the Government Accountability Office and the Court of Federal Claims validate the integrity of the GHC program and award,’ said Air Force Brigadier General Joel Safranek, Defence Personal Property Management Office Director. ‘We’re excited to resume the transition towards this vital reform effort to the household goods relocation program.’
USTRANSCOM said the transition period will be followed by a ‘measured phase-in’ of domestic shipments, which will begin after the 2023 peak moving season. All domestic and international household goods and unaccompanied baggage shipments will be moved under GHC by the 2024 peak moving season at the earliest.
Photo by Scandinavian Backlash on Unsplash
