CG Moving recaps the IAM HomeSafe Alliance call and shares resources for small business movers.
The IAM Call on HomeSafe Alliance and the Future of Military Moving
CMSA members learned about HomeSafe Alliance’s military moving contract on a January 2023 IAM call.
Last week on January 11th, members of the California Moving and Storage Association were invited to attend a call with the International Association of Movers. There we had the opportunity to hear from the leadership of HomeSafe Alliance, a joint venture that has been awarded an exclusive move management contract for the U.S. Armed Forces, Department of Defense. If you are in the moving industry, you may already know what this means for our industry. Whether you have been doing military work for years or none at all, it is worth being aware of the changes ahead.
I also had the chance to attend the Central Valley chapter meeting held at Coalinga’s Harris Ranch, which brought in Charles White and Daniel Bradley from IAM in person. The effort the CMSA puts into connecting its membership to global industry leaders is something I am grateful for. Thank you to Chuck and Dan for being part of such a lively and interactive discussion. And big thanks to Rhonda Stephens and Jeannette Homan of Lemoore Professional Movers and all their staff for organizing the event. The silent auction was a hit, and I came home very happy with a YETI cooler.
Here is Olga Garcia’s TikTok video eating a fabulous steak at Harris Ranch.
Stay Connected and Keep an Open Mind
The HomeSafe Alliance contract brings change, but also creates new opportunities for small movers.
As with the online IAM discussion, the chapter meeting brought up many questions about the changes on the military moving side. I am, as my eight year old son would say, a “Noob” in the military space, but I have been working with federal agencies and contracts for about fifteen years. The first thing that comes to mind: be in the know, stay connected, and do not take the position that this is the end. This will open up opportunities for old and new players.
Reading Material: The Transport Topics Article and the GAO Report
Transport Topics and the GAO report provide the best background on the HomeSafe Alliance decision.
The contract has been awarded, protested, and re-awarded. If you want to read up on it, Transport Topics has a solid article summarizing the latest decision. And if you like the full picture, here is the 32-page GAO report and decision.
Resources for Moving Companies and Vendors
GHC requires 40% subcontracting to small businesses; movers can register with HomeSafe Alliance.
The leadership of HomeSafe Alliance are confirmed participants in the American Trucking Association Moving and Storage Conference, which was scheduled for Orlando, FL, February 27th to March 1st. This is an opportunity for moving companies and vendors to hear directly about the timeline and approach to this contract. The registration link for the MSC annual meeting is here (note: the 2023 event has passed; check for the current registration).
The GHC contract has a 40% requirement to subcontract the actual work of moving service members to domestic small businesses. If you are generating less than $34M in revenues, you are considered a small business under NAICS code 484210 (Used Household and Office Goods Moving). Whether an actual SBA certification will be required or whether self-reporting will suffice is still to be clarified, but this is a great question to ask in person at the conference.
You can also sign up to be in the HomeSafe Alliance provider network. The 2023 military moving season will continue through the Defense Personal Property Program (DP3), but HomeSafe Alliance plans to take on 25% of shipments by October 2023.
Free Help for Small Businesses: PTACs
PTACs offer free workshops, matchmaking, and SAM registration help for small business movers.
The last resource I want to share is the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (APTAC). PTACs provide free assistance for small businesses, including workshops, matchmaking, one-on-one counseling, and SAM (System for Award Management) registration help. They are funded in part by the U.S. Department of Defense. My preferred PTAC is the Monterey Bay PTAC, and I have spent many years working with them on bids and issues, to the point where I really should be sending a donation to the Monterey County Business Council!
Save the Date: CMSA Convention, May 2023
The 2023 CMSA Convention runs May 16-21 at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Springs.
Mark your calendar for the CMSA convention, May 16 to May 21 at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas in Palm Springs. I am sure we will get more resources and information there, including access to the military breakout session and panel. I hope to see you there!
