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OCTOBER 2021, ISSUE NO. 1
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THE FEMA TSP:
"TRANSPORTATION SIMPLY PUT"
The official newsletter of the FEMA Tender of Service Program
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FEMA Transportation introduces you to our new newsletter, “The FEMA TSP: Transportation Simply Put.” The FEMA TSP gives readers information on program events, common questions about the program, and other hot topics surrounding the FEMA Tender of Service Program. You may see topics discussed like program onboarding, LSCMS-C, methods of receiving transportation opportunities, the STOS and Uniform Rules Tariff policies, and many more.
Any Transportation Service Provider can choose to subscribe to the newsletter, FEMA approved or not! For those that subscribe, you can expect to receive our newsletter on a bi-monthly basis. However, supporting disaster survivors is our first priority, so if FEMA is in an active disaster response, expect the newsletter to be short and sweet for that issue.
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November 16, 2021 - February 2, 2022
The FEMA transportation thought on everyone’s mind is, when can we start onboarding for the 2022 STOS program year? Well you’re in luck because onboarding starts next month! This year we’re opening onboarding a little earlier than usual, on November 16th, 2021 and will close onboarding on February 2, 2022. Approved Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) that successfully complete onboarding during this time, will be eligible to move FEMA loads beginning on May 1, 2022, which is the start of the 2022 program year.
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So, what does it mean to complete STOS onboarding and become a FEMA Approved TSP? The term “FEMA STOS” is short for FEMA Standard Tender of Service. The FEMA team often refers to the FEMA Tender of Service Program as the "STOS." In order to complete the STOS onboarding, TSPs must first create an LSCMS-C User Account by submitting a User Request form to FEMA. Once an LSCMS-C account is created, TSPs should then upload the required documents to LSCMS-C. The required documents are:
- ALL TSPs: Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) Letter issued by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, Inc. (NMFTA)
- ALL TSPs: An ACORD Form proving Cargo Insurance of at least $300,000. This should include the modes of transportation your cargo insurance covers as well!
- ALL TSPs: FEMA TSP Agreement and Certification Statement (FEMA TSP Agreement) – signed and dated
Optional: If a TSP would like to provide Transportable Temporary Housing Unit (TTHU) transportation services, then a word document demonstrating a minimum of 1-year of experience moving TTHUs should be uploaded to LSCMS. Descriptions of past TTHU movements should include TTHU size and weight, equipment used, quantity, and locations.
After FEMA reviews and validates the uploaded documents, the onboarding team will verify the TSPs registration on SAM.gov using the DUNS number provided on the LSCMS User Request Form. After verifying if all required information has been properly submitted, the TSP will then receive an email stating they have been approved into the FEMA Tender of Service Program and are now a FEMA approved carrier. But it doesn't end here! Now the TSP needs to enroll with Syncada, the third-party payment system FEMA uses.
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Another item on the post-approval checklist is to obtain Web Tenders access in LSCMS-C if you do not already have access. Web Tenders is the role in LSCMS-C that allows TSPs to view and manage FEMA loads that are awarded to them. TSPs obtain Web Tenders access by successfully completing an online training to ensure they know how to navigate Web Tenders. Once this is complete, FEMA STOS personnel may request Web Tenders access on the TSP's behalf.
TSPs can also visit the FEMA STOS program website at https://www.fema.gov/transportation-programs for more details about the FEMA Tender of Service Program and to keep posted on future announcements.
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16 November 2021 - Zoom Platform
To better facilitate TSPs during the onboarding process, the FEMA Tender of Service Program will be hosting a Virtual Carrier Industry Day via Zoom. This meeting will inform TSPs what is new for the 2022 program year and the requirements needed in order to become an approved FEMA carrier for the 2022 program year.
What to look out for in the 2022 STOS Program?
With a new program year comes new policies. As the 2022 FEMA Tender of Service and the Uniform Rules Tariff No. 400 become available online, we highly suggest reviewing them to learn about changes to the program. In the STOS document, you can anticipate updates to the following topics:
- Dropped Trailers / Containers
- Trailer / Container Recovery
- Service Performance Evaluation
In the Uniform Rules Tariff No. 400, there will be changes to multiple items in the Rate and Charges section, including a new accessorial item for forklift services. We’ll be sure to give you more information on the changes when the documents are available for the public to view.
FEMA always starts its new STOS program year on May 1st!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I am currently an approved FEMA carrier. Do I need to re-register for the 2022 program year?
A: Yes. All TSPs interested in becoming an approved FEMA TSP for the 2022 program year must go through the onboarding process.
Q: Do I have to be a FEMA approved carrier to participate in the FEMA Carrier Industry Day?
A: No. Any TSP interested in providing transportation services to FEMA can register to attend the virtual Industry Day.
Q: Do I have to pay to become a FEMA approved carrier?
A: No. There is no cost to register to participate in the FEMA Tender of Service Program.
Q: How many loads can I get with FEMA if I become an approved FEMA carrier?
A: Participation in the FEMA Tender of Service Program does not guarantee that you will receive transportation moves with FEMA. FEMA’s transportation needs depend on disaster response requirements. Since this depends on when disasters requiring our involvement are occurring, there will be times when FEMA has very few transportation needs. There will also be times when multiple disasters occur at once, requiring a great deal of transportation support. It can be very feast or famine.
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