Following a series of protests and subsequent legal challenges, the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM), a command of the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), this week confirmed a large, multi-year contract award to Crowley Logistics, Inc., to provide transportation and related services supporting DOD activities in the U.S. and Canada.
The Department of Defense Freight Transportation Services (DFTS) contract is one of the largest logistics contracts awarded by the U.S. government. The period of performance is two base years followed by five option years for a total value of approximately $2.3 billion.
The contract requires Crowley to move various types of cargo from thousands of material suppliers through 41 major depots around the continental U.S. The program encompasses all forms of truck transportation, including less than truckload, full truckload, expedited and refrigerated services. Delivery locations include vendor facilities, Defense Department warehouses or depots, and U.S. military installations. Under the contract, Crowley would initially provide services to select Defense Department agencies, with the expectation that other DOD customers and agencies outside DOD would soon join.
Crowley was first awarded the DFTS contract in November 2016. However, another company that is currently providing some of the services covered by the contract launched a legal challenge to the award. A court ruling in June cleared the way for the decision Monday to confirm the original award to Crowley. Initial bids in this procurement were submitted more than two years ago.
“This confirmation of the contract award hopefully ends the legal contest,” said Frank Larkin, Crowley senior vice president and general manager, logistics and commercial services. “We are eager to get started, and will be bringing best commercial practices to our government customers – providing transportation solutions that increase the velocity of the DOD’s supply chain, reduce their overall landed costs and help our military fulfill their missions.”