As we near 2025, a new initiative aimed at streamlining the relocation of military personnel’s household goods is picking up speed.
By the end of 2024, 94 military installations across the continental U.S. will be positioned to handle the movement of service members’ belongings through the Transportation Command’s (TRANSCOM) recently launched Global Household Goods contract.
The goal is to have all domestic shipments incorporated into this system by next spring.
Program Rollout and Testing
The rollout of this program has been methodical, with a focus on ensuring dependable logistics.
Various military installations, both large and small, have undergone testing phases to assess the system’s effectiveness.
Recently, TRANSCOM expanded the program, adding 20 more locations.
Notable among these are Hanscom Air Force Base in Massachusetts and Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs in New York, which are set to commence operations in November, with 18 additional sites following in December.
For military families planning moves outside the continental U.S., they shouldn’t expect to utilize this new program for shipping until at least September 2025.
HomeSafe Alliance Contract and Responsibilities
As of December 4, the Department of Defense had awarded 777 task orders to HomeSafe Alliance, the new contractor, for moves starting from installations included in the updated initiative.
By that date, HomeSafe had successfully completed 330 deliveries.
The phased rollout began in spring 2024 with five installations, aiming for a significant expansion in the fall, right after the busy moving season wraps up.
This program emerged as a response to a particularly challenging moving season in 2018, when many service members faced issues like lost or damaged items and cumbersome claims processes.
The overarching goal is to improve the relocation experience for military families and alleviate some of these ongoing problems.
However, some representatives from the moving industry have noted improvements in services for military families.
They express concerns, though, about how HomeSafe’s lower cost offerings could impact moving companies, potentially leading to reduced service quality or even forcing some providers out of the market.
TRANSCOM awarded HomeSafe Alliance a major contract worth $6.2 billion, which could climb to a total of $17.9 billion over nine years.
This contract started in early 2023 after several protests were addressed.
Under this new arrangement, HomeSafe is responsible for managing every aspect of shipments.
From coordinating with moving companies to packing, transporting, unloading, and managing claims for any lost or damaged belongings, they’ve got it covered.
Future Developments and Guidance for Service Members
While moving companies remain integral to the actual logistics, the oversight of household goods shipments has largely transitioned to the private sector, with TRANSCOM retaining control.
Looking forward to December, TRANSCOM will activate shipping routes between all 94 installations participating in this updated system.
They will also announce details regarding the process for service members interested in Personally Procured Moves (PPM), allowing them to organize all or part of their move while seeking reimbursement from the government.
More information about the PPM process will emerge once the updates are in full swing.
Service members are encouraged to visit the Defense Personal Property System (DPS) landing page when starting their household goods shipments.
Those stationed at locations where HomeSafe Alliance is already operational will be seamlessly integrated into the new system.
Source: Militarytimes