The Official Newsletter of The National Defense Transportation Association

October 16, 2024

Registration NOW Open

The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO), in association with the General Services Administration (GSA), are excited to announce the opening of registration for the GovTravels Symposium 2025, February 24-27, 2025, at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center, Alexandria, VA. GovTravels is the key event where decision makers from government and industry gather to learn and collaborate on passenger travel issues. We’ve created the program with input from NDTA’s Government Passenger Travel Advisory Council (GPTAC), DTMO, GSA, and travel industry representatives.

The GovTravels 2025 theme is “Change Management: Challenges & Solutions in Government Travel,” and focuses on the need for government and industry leaders to effectively manage change, employing creative and innovative solutions to provide government passengers with world-class travel. The agenda includes keynote speakers and fireside chats, an exhibit hall, networking sessions, Travel Academy classes, and Young Leader events. Once again, continuing education unit (CEU) credits are available for professional certification requirements. If you work in passenger travel and related services for the federal government, a state government, or the private sector, the GovTravels Symposium 2025 is a “must-attend” event. 

NDTA is also hosting a full-scale exposition where, through sponsorship and exhibiting, organizations can highlight their travel solutions and offerings, and attendees can benefit from the sharing of information. For more information, please visit our GovTravels expo page.

We look forward to your participation in February 2025. To register and view the agenda and additional information, please visit our website. 

Reserve your room today for best rates

Special rates are available at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center. Visit NDTA’s website for more lodging and transportation details. […READ MORE…]

Here’s a special shout out to the following for their part in making the 2024 NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting incredibly engaging and successful.

  • Our Co-host, USTRANSCOM and the entire USTRANSCOM Team
  • NDTA Board of Directors and Committee Chairs
  • Our Allies and Partners
  • The Military and Government Participants
  • NDTA Scholarship Foundation
  • Academy Instructors and Participants
  • NDTA Industry Sponsors and Exhibitors
  • All of the Volunteers and the 375th Airlift Air Mobility Wing (AMW) at Scott AFB, IL
  • The NDTA Staff
  • The NDTA Chapters for their support and participation
  • St. Louis Union Station Hilton Hotel Staff
  • CJP Video Production Team
  • US Air Force Band of Mid-America, Starlifter

Mr. John Dietrich, NDTA Chairman of the Board, on stage at the opening ceremony.

NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting Highlights

By Barbara Parus, Managing Editor, DTJ & The Source

NDTA and USTRANSCOM co-sponsored the 2024 Fall Meeting at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, St. Louis, Mo., October 7-10. The annual four-day event attracted a record-breaking 2,000+ attendees and an impressive list of exhibitors for the Expo Hall.

This year’s theme, Accelerating Decision Advantage Across Defense Transportation and Logistics,” focused on how data analytics can transform challenges into opportunities and enable decision advantage in military operations. The event provided the government, military, and industry the opportunity to identify and solve logistics and transportation issues together; learn about innovative technologies; develop best practices; and build professional and personal relationships. […READ MORE…]

(Photo by Brien Vorhees)

Decision advantage takes center stage at 2024 NDTA-USTRANSCOM Fall Meeting

Allies and partners are vital for achieving decision advantage and credible capacity in contested logistics, U.S. Transportation Command’s new commander, Air Force Gen. Randall Reed, said Oct. 10, at this year’s Fall Meeting.

The National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA) and USTRANSCOM hosted the event from Oct. 7-10, 2024. Military, industry, and government leaders gathered to discuss ways to improve transportation and logistics. […READ MORE…]

Your Source

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program Final Rule Published

The final program rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Program was released for public inspection on www.federalregister.gov and is anticipated to be published in the Federal Register, Tuesday, October 15.

The purpose of CMMC is to verify that defense contractors are compliant with existing protections for federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) and are protecting that information at a level commensurate with the risk from cybersecurity threats, including advanced persistent threats.

This rule streamlines and simplifies the process for small-and medium-sized businesses by reducing the number of assessment levels from the five in the original program to three under the new program. […READ MORE…]

Your Source

 

Learn What’s Driving the Supply Chain in 2025 and Beyond

The 2025 29th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study, powered by NTT DATA, Penske and Penn State University, offers the latest perspectives on shipper and 3PL relationships, priorities for both groups, services and solutions that are in demand and what makes relationships successful. The study focuses on three critical areas: the evolving dynamics of shipper and third-party logistics (3PL) relationships, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chains, and the growing importance of the direct-to-consumer experience.

Key findings from the study reveal that change management is crucial for staying competitive. A significant majority of shippers (61%) and 3PLs (73%) acknowledge its importance, as customer expectations, economic factors, and technological advances drive demand for change management. The survey showed that 58% of shippers and 76% of 3PLs are currently utilizing change management frameworks.

The study is available at https://us.nttdata.com/en/engage/2025-third-party-logistics-study

Not Surprisingly the Economy Once Again Identified as Trucking’s Top Concern

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) released its 20th annual Top Industry Issues report that identifies the trucking industry’s leading concerns. This year’s list includes the Economy, Truck Parking, Lawsuit Abuse Reform, Insurance Cost and Availability, and rising four spots from last year, Battery Electric Vehicles.

This year saw the state of the Economy and the lack of available Truck Parking retain their #1 and #2 rankings on the overall list, respectively. However, growing concern over the proliferation of nuclear verdicts led to Lawsuit Abuse Reform rising to the #3 spot this year. The largest climb in ranking this year came in Insurance Cost and Availability, which rose 8 spots to be the industry’s #4 concern overall. Rounding out the top five this year was Driver Compensation.

Over 3,700 trucking industry stakeholders participated in this year’s survey, including motor carriers, truck drivers, industry suppliers, driver trainers, and law enforcement among other groups. The full report is available at ATRI’s website here. […READ MORE…]

Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Rule to Simplify Shipping Processes for Truck Drivers, While Improving Supply Chains, and Reducing Energy Transportation Costs

The US Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) announced a new proposed rule that would provide close to $100 million in annual cost savings for businesses and consumers. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would improve supply chains by modernizing and simplifying hazardous material transportation regulations that impact truck drivers hauling fuels. It will enhance safety standards across highway, rail, and vessel modes of transportation. […READ MORE…]

Please join NDTA in welcoming the newest member to the Chairman’s Circle:

Port of Corpus Christi Authority

Editor’s Picks

Military Drones Revolutionize Medical Supply Chain by Delivering Blood to Remote Areas

In military and medical logistics, autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) are used to transport and resupply blood far forward, presenting realistic and challenging scenarios for combat medics during military training exercises in efforts to build readiness and incorporate innovative advancements in the field. This marks a pivotal enhancement in the intersection of military innovation and emergency healthcare, bolstering life-saving capabilities in critical situations.

A-29 Super Tucano Joins Air Force Test Pilot School Fleet

A trio of A-29 Super Tucano aircraft arrived at Edwards Air Force Base where they will join a fleet at the USAF Test Pilot School. The arrival marks the first newly assigned aircraft for the school in nearly 30 years. These A-29s were originally acquired by Air Force Special Operations Command, but divested after mission requirements changed. The Air Force Test Center views these excess aircraft as a unique opportunity to expand the flight test and training capabilities at Edwards AFB.

BAE Systems to Produce 48 More AMPVs for US Army

BAE Systems has secured a $184 million contract modification to build 48 additional Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles (AMPVs) for the US Army. The modification is part of a full-rate production agreement awarded to the company in August 2023. Production of the new AMPVs will take place at BAE facilities in Alabama, Arizona, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina.

Mass Maritime Academy Welcomes New Training Ship ‘Patriot State’ to Buzzard Bay

The Massachusetts Maritime Academy celebrated the arrival of its new training ship, the Patriot State, in Buzzards Bay on October 11. The ship is the second of five purpose-built, state-of-the-art training vessels commissioned for America’s five state maritime academies. The US Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) spearheaded this program, which provides world-class training for future mariners while supporting humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Navy Awards GD Electric Boat $1.28B in Contracts While Service Continues Sub Negotiations 

The Navy issued General Dynamics Electric Boat two contract modifications worth $1.28 billion to keep submarine suppliers operating while the service and the shipyard continue contract negotiations for 17 planned submarines. The service issued two separate contract modifications on October 8 – one for $878 million for future USS Baltimore (SSN-812) and SSN-813, both Block V Virginia-class attack submarines, and another $350 million for long lead materials for Block VI Virginia-class boats.

Bennett Expands Operations with New Location in Dayton, Texas

Bennett Family of Companies announces the grand opening of its new location in Dayton, Texas. This strategic expansion enhances Bennett’s presence in the Gulf Coast region and houses Bennett On-Site Services, LLC DBA BOSS, BOSS Heavy Haul, LLC and Bennett Motor Express, LLC, under one roof. The terminal boasts a 38-acre yard and a 10,000 square foot office space.

DHL Express Announces Annual Price Adjustments in the U.S.

DHL Express announced a 5.9% average increase in shipping prices for U.S. account holders, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. This increase is lower than the 7.9% hike that DHL Express applied to shipments in 2023. DHL Express adjusts prices annually to account for inflation, currency fluctuations, and administrative costs. They also consider regulatory and security measures, which are regularly updated by national and international authorities.

FedEx: New AI-Powered Solution for Supply Chain Visibility

FedEx unveiled its cutting-edge solution, FedEx Surround, designed to revolutionize supply chain management by offering businesses unparalleled control and visibility over shipments. Launched in Singapore and Hong Kong SAR, with plans to expand across APAC, this innovation integrates advanced technology into the FedEx network, enhancing tracking and proactive shipment management.

The Source is a free educational publication for NDTA members, conference attendees, and associates.

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