§ 102-117.10 — -117.10 Definitions

The following definitions apply to this part:

Accessorial charges means charges that are applied to the base tariff rate or base contract of carriage rate.

Agency means a department, agency, and independent establishment in the executive branch of the Government as defined in 5 U.S.C. 101 et seq., and a wholly owned Government corporation as defined in 31 U.S.C. 9101(3).

Best value means selecting the shipping option that offers the most benefit to the government considering mode, cost, reliability, and service quality.

Bill of lading (BOL), sometimes referred to as a commercial bill of lading, but includes a Government bill of lading (GBL), is a transportation document that can be issued by either the agency or the TSP. It serves multiple purposes as a receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and evidence of title. It also specifies contract terms and conditions, and is mandatory for all shipments. The TSP must comply with applicable Federal regulations, specifically this part and 41 CFR part 102-118.

Cargo preference is the legal requirement for all, or a portion of all, ocean-borne cargo that moves internationally to be transported on U.S. flag vessels.

Coastwise laws govern waterborne shipments between U.S. points or territories to ensure reliable service and maintain maritime readiness during war or national emergencies.

Consignee is the person or agent to whom freight or household goods are delivered.

Consignor, also referred to as the shipper, is the person or firm that ships freight or household goods to a consignee.

Contract of carriage is a contract between the TSP and the agency to transport freight or household goods.

Debarment is an action to exclude a TSP, for a period of time, from providing services under a rate tender or any Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) contract.

Declared value means the actual value of cargo as declared by the agency for reimbursement purposes or to establish duties, taxes, or other customs fees.

Freight is property or goods transported as cargo.

Government bill of lading (GBL), Standard Form (SF) 1103, is a Government issued bill of lading.

Hazardous material (HAZMAT) is a substance or material the Secretary of Transportation determines to be an unreasonable risk to health, safety, and property when transported in commerce, and labels as hazardous under section 5103 of the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law (49 U.S.C. 5103 et seq.). All such freight must be marked in accordance with applicable regulations and the carrier must be notified in advance.

Household goods (HHG) are the personal effects of Government employees and their dependents.

Mode is a method of transportation, such as rail, road, air, water, or pipeline.

Rate tender is an offer a TSP sends to an agency, containing service rates and charges.

Receipt is a written or electronic acknowledgment by the consignee or TSP as to when and where a shipment was received.

Suspension is an action taken by an agency to disqualify a TSP from receiving orders for certain services under a FAR contract or rate tender.

Transportation is the movement of goods and all related services, including the use of motor vehicles, vessels, warehouses, and necessary equipment, as well as associated activities such as storage, handling, packing, delivery, and receipt.

Transportation management is agency oversight of the physical movement of commodities, HHG, small packages, cargo and other freight from one location to another by a TSP including related services such as warehousing.

Transportation service provider (TSP) means any party, person, agent, or carrier that provides freight, household goods, or passenger transportation or related services to an agency.

U.S. flag air carrier is an air carrier holding a certificate issued by the United States under 49 U.S.C. 41102 (49 U.S.C. 40118).

U.S. flag vessel is a commercial vessel, registered and operated under the laws of the U.S., owned and operated by U.S. citizens, and used in commercial trade of the United States.