JUNE 2022  |  ISSUE 5

THE FEMA TSP:
TRANSPORTATION SIMPLY PUT

The official newsletter of the FEMA Tender of Service Program

The 2022 STOS Program Year Begins

The FEMA Tender of Service Program bid farewell to the 2021 program year on April 30 and ushered in the new program year on May 1. We are thrilled to welcome our new and returning Transportation Service Providers (TSPs) for the 2022 program year. We anticipate a busy hurricane season this year and are pleased to have you join FEMA's mission of helping people before, during, and after disasters. Nothing would move without our devoted Transportation Service Providers. Your contributions and support to FEMA's mission makes all the difference!

More stories in this issue:

The 2022 STOS Program
Year Begins

A Year in Review

Trivia Corner

Preparing for Hurricane
Season

Frequently Asked
Questions

A Year In Review - A Look Back at the 2021 STOS Program Year

Thanks to the support of our Transportation Service Providers, FEMA was able to successfully execute 9,726 shipments during the 2021 Program Year and deliver life saving supplies to over 54 locations in support of its overall mission.

Total Number of Shipments by Mode

2021 Top Commodities Moved

Did you know?

The STOS Program Year runs from May 1st to April 30th each year!

The Trivia Corner

Want to see how well you know FEMA and its transportation team? Accept the challenge and answer our trivia questions by clicking here. The first TSP to provide the correct response will be recognized in the next newsletter!

1. In what year was the FEMA Tender of Service Program officially created?

2. What is FEMA's primary mission?

Preparing for the 2022 Hurricane Season

To those that may not be aware we are officially into the Atlantic hurricane season which begins June 1st and ends November 30th. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting a 65% chance of an above average hurricane season for this year. A range of 14 to 21 named storms is being forecasted. How does this information impact you as a FEMA TSP? Well FEMA is the main agency postured to respond to declared disasters at the federal level. This means that during this time, FEMA relies heavily on it's dedicated TSPs to successfully carry out FEMA's mission. This also means that our approved TSPs must be ready to respond when FEMA calls.

How can I get ready as a FEMA TSP?

We're glad you asked! Here are a few tips to ensure you are prepared to assist FEMA when contacted for a transportation opportunity:

• Ensure your LSCMS account is active by logging in at least once a month
  • If you desire to have additional users within your team gain access to LSCMS, please reach out to the transportation programs team at fema-transportation-programs@fema.dhs.gov
• Ensure at least one member on your team has access to Web Tenders
  • Web Tenders is crucial in viewing awarded shipments, printing BOLs and updating the In-Transit Visibility (ITV) status of a shipment, which is a requirement to maintain your performance and compliance scores
• Verify that your bid request email, phone number and other points of contact are current
• Monitor your bid request email frequently and be ready to respond if you are offered a transportation opportunity

FEMA will also be hosting a webinar for approved TSPs on August 2, 2022! This webinar will provide a brief presentation on what to expect during hurricane season and give TSPs the opportunity to pose questions to the FEMA Transportation team. The registration flyer will be emailed a few weeks prior to the event, so keep an eye out for the email.

A few other ways to prepare for the hurricane season Whether you are or are not a FEMA TSP, you and your family can still  prepare for the hurricane season by following a few of these tips:

• Know the hurricane risk for your location
• Make a home emergency plan and familiarize yourself with the emergency plans for other spaces you and your family frequently occupy, such as your workplace, daycare, school, etc.
• Know your evacuation zone
• Recognize warnings and alerts such as the Emergency Alert System
  (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA)

The Question Section

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: We are an approved FEMA TSP for the 2022 program year. How do we obtain loads? Where can we place bids on FEMA loads?
A: If your Company is being considered for a transportation opportunity, FEMA will contact you using the bid request email or phone number we have on file for your company. Keep in mind that FEMA does not have a load board, so there is no place where FEMA posts transportation opportunities.

Q: During hurricane season, will FEMA only use One-Time-Only spot bids or will they also utilize rates submitted during the bid cycle?
A: FEMA will continue to select a TSP for a transportation move based on the best value for the government, even during a disaster response. FEMA can and may utilize both the trucking rates submitted during the bid cycle and OTO spot bids. FEMA only uses OTO spot bids for Air, Rail, Maritime, and TTHU moves.

Q: I am a FEMA-Approved TSP with access to LSCMS, but my account has been locked due to inactivity. How can I reset my password?
A: To reset your password or reactivate your disabled account, contact the FEMA Enterprise Service Desk at 1-866-804-2394. Be prepared to provide the ESD representative with your LSCMS username and Company SCAC.

Q: Where can I find more information about emergency preparedness?
A: To prepare for disasters and emergencies, visit www.ready.gov. You will have access to several disaster preparedness resources and be able to order free publications to assist you and your family in planning and being emergency ready.

Q: We are an approved FEMA TSP with one or two available trucks/trailers at any given time. Is there a minimum number of trucks and trailers we must provide to FEMA?
A: It depends on the requirements associated with each move. Sometimes FEMA requires multiple trucks, and sometimes only one truck may be needed. You should only accept loads that you have the capacity to complete in accordance with the terms specified on the BOL and by the RDD.