Originally Posted by jojodamann

how do one go about getting government contracts. whether it is dry van, flat bed or tanker? thanks! and does it help to register as a small business with different organizations?

from what i've read dod freight is the cheapest crap out there.

Originally Posted by jojodamann

how do one go about getting government contracts. whether it is dry van, flat bed or tanker? thanks! and does it help to register as a small business with different organizations?

There is a federal website where you can go to register. You can set yourself up as a small business with them, as I recall. You will need your authority, dot number, SCAC code and a Duns Number. It has been a while since I checked the site. You may try this website and see if it will help you www.dod.gov . It may direct you to other websites which could help you. There used to be a publication called Commerce Business Daily that listed government contracts that you can bid on. The government has been attempting to move away from individual carriers and brokers to a single source. Menlo Logistics has contracts with several depots and bases to move their freight. Since they have taken over rates have really gone down. I used to haul a fair amount of military freight. With the cheaper rates on most of what we can haul for them, I rarely haul anything for them. As I recall, you will need to post a bond in order to do business directly with the federal government. The amount of bond is dependent on how many states in which you want to be set up to do business. I believe the bond is $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000. This is from memory. They could have made changes since I last checked with them. A small carrier can add more states than a large carrier due to the size of the company. It can be a hassle to get set up with them. There are some brokers who only do DOD freight.

And if you get a contract or 2 , KEEP QUIET about it on the CB and INTERNET. Al;ways someone wanting to WEAZLE in on the few good ones that are available

If you are hauling Government stuff, be prepared to go thru some more/extra scrutiny, both before you can haul it, and at the gate/destination where you deliver it. And if it takes extra help to unload/deliver they must be approved (ahead of time) also.

Originally Posted by G/MAN

There is a federal website where you can go to register. You can set yourself up as a small business with them, as I recall. You will need your authority, dot number, SCAC code and a Duns Number. It has been a while since I checked the site. You may try this website and see if it will help you www.dod.gov . It may direct you to other websites which could help you. There used to be a publication called Commerce Business Daily that listed government contracts that you can bid on. The government has been attempting to move away from individual carriers and brokers to a single source. Menlo Logistics has contracts with several depots and bases to move their freight. Since they have taken over rates have really gone down. I used to haul a fair amount of military freight. With the cheaper rates on most of what we can haul for them, I rarely haul anything for them. As I recall, you will need to post a bond in order to do business directly with the federal government. The amount of bond is dependent on how many states in which you want to be set up to do business. I believe the bond is $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000. This is from memory. They could have made changes since I last checked with them. A small carrier can add more states than a large carrier due to the size of the company. It can be a hassle to get set up with them. There are some brokers who only do DOD freight.

G/MAN covered most of what I know based on a broadband project I've been working. Registering with the SBA helps. Then you need to register with the CCR, which is where you get a cage number. Then you need to become compliant with all the rules and regulations and consultants will emerge from the woodwork to handle this for you for a fee. There is the ORCA website or something like that. That is where you swear you are compliant.

Based on my experience they don't have enough money to get my attention. Maybe it is not as bad in trucking. From where I sit, they are just like CRE for a driving job. If I were homeless, hungry and they were the only game in town, I'd still avoid them.

It sounds like BBBill’s experience, though in a time of need, was not nearly as painful as mine has been in Broadband as a company. Trucking has far too much regulation for me to enter into anything that would have them breathing down my neck more than they do now.

This of course is just my opinion and I’m usually wrong. If you don’t believe it ask my wife! I’m throwing in a little humor in an attempt to cover up my apparent bitterness and disappointment in dealing with the government.

You have to wonder about some of these carriers and owner operators, BigBadBill.

It is whomever has the contract who must have the bond. You can haul freight through a third party logistics company or broker and not have to deal with the bond. If you go direct then they require a performance bond, or did. I was approached by one base to do a move for them, but didn't have the time that I could do the move. I don't believe that they would have required the bond. It seems wasteful to have to go to the expense of having a performance bond when we have cargo insurance. Don't be surprised if you have several hands that touch the money before it gets to the truck. Although they are not supposed to double broker government loads I have seen it happen on a number of occasions. I remember one several years ago where I was paid $3,000 for the load, which paid me about $2/mile. The first broker received $5,400. I don't know what the second broker got out of the deal. Most government bol's have the rate listed. I don't believe that it is on loads that are moved by Menlo Logistics.

Thanks everyone.. I am leased on to a company right now and would like to get my own authority in a few months I need to save a lil cash. I am just doing research as to what will benefit me the most. I am also inquiring about car hauling and contracting directly with a corporation.. Like Chrysler or Ford or whoever . I still have about 6-9 months before I make my move but I am researching now to find a good outfit. Thanks for the feedback!