Lawmakers Urge for Investigation into $7.2 Billion TRANSCOM Contract

August 5, 2020

Two member of Congress have come forward to voice their concerns about the U.S. Transportation Command’s (TRANSCOM) recently awarded contract of $7.2 billion to manage service members’ household goods moves, Military Times reports.

Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina sent a letter to Ellen Lord, under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment,“to conduct a thorough review of all concerns as our service members and the American taxpayer deserve our due diligence.”

In a letter to the House Armed Services Committee, Representative David B. McKinley of West Virginia said that TRANSCOM’s “decision to accept a higher priced bid, from a subsidiary of a foreign-owned company with a questionable track record, is deeply troubling.”

Furthermore, the lawmakers voiced concern that the winning bid, American Roll On Roll Off Carrier Group of Parsippany, N.J., was $2 billion higher over a nine-year-period compared to bidders deemed as being technically qualified.

Two unsuccessful bidders filed protest with the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in July outlining issues with TRANSCOM’s decision. Two weeks later the contract was re-awarded to ARC.

“Instead of fully vetting each allegation, TRANSCOM deemed this a clerical error. Failure to accurately disclose ownership and a criminal history makes a bidder ineligible for the award,” said McKinley.

Photo by Sara Morris/Joint Forces Headquarters, Washington National Guard

August 5, 2020

Recent News

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

Summit Preview: Closing the Gap in Affordable Child Care

DOD, Congress and communities are working to address the challenges that remain in helping military families find quality, affordable child care. It is one of the most pressing quality of life concerns service members report. The topic will be covered at sessions...

In Our Communities

In Our Communities

The Military Alliance Council in Charles County, Maryland and the town of Indian Head recently coordinated with local partners to provide Chick-Fil-A breakfast for Marines and sailors assigned to the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force after they returned in...

Tomorrow: DOD Webinar on Communities and the Defense Industrial Base

Tomorrow: DOD Webinar on Communities and the Defense Industrial Base

DOD’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is hosting a webinar Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the National Defense Industrial Strategy. “The priorities detailed in the NDIS serve as a helpful guide to state and local leaders who want to identify ways to...

PAST STORIES