FAR 47.207-11—Volume movements within the contiguous United States.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.207-11 addresses how the Government identifies and reports large freight movements within the contiguous United States for contract administration purposes. It defines what counts as a "volume movement" for both DoD and civilian agencies, including the shipment thresholds that trigger special tracking: in DoD, 25 carloads, 25 truckloads, or 500,000 pounds in the aggregate; in civilian agencies, 50 short tons (100,000 pounds) in the aggregate. The rule also ties the measurement to a contract-period basis and requires that the freight move from one origin point to one destination point or area. In addition, it assigns reporting duties to transportation personnel supporting the contracting activity or other appropriate agency personnel, and it directs DoD and civilian agencies to report through different channels—DoD to SDDC under the Defense Transportation Regulation, and civilian agencies to the local GSA Office of Transportation. In practice, this section helps agencies monitor significant freight traffic, coordinate transportation management, and ensure that large movements are properly reported and administered under the correct agency procedures.
Key Rules
DoD volume threshold
For DoD contract administration, a volume movement exists when freight shipments total at least 25 carloads, 25 truckloads, or 500,000 pounds during the contract period. The shipments must be part of movement from one origin point to one destination point or area.
Civilian agency threshold
For civilian agencies, a volume movement is defined as 50 short tons, or 100,000 pounds, in the aggregate during the contract period. As with DoD, the movement must be from one origin point to one destination point or area.
Aggregate contract-period basis
The threshold is measured in the aggregate over the contract period, not shipment by shipment. Agencies must look at the total planned or actual freight moved under the contract to determine whether the volume movement definition is met.
Single origin and destination
The definition applies to freight moving from one origin point to one destination point or area. This means the rule is aimed at consolidated movements that can be tracked as a single transportation requirement for administration purposes.
Reporting required by agency procedures
Transportation personnel assigned to or supporting the CAO, or other appropriate agency personnel, must report planned and actual volume movements in accordance with agency regulations. The section does not itself prescribe the full reporting process; it points users to agency-specific procedures.
Different reporting channels for DoD and civilian agencies
DoD activities report volume movements to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command under DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation. Civilian agencies report to the local GSA Office of Transportation through the GSA transportation management zone office structure.
Responsibilities
Transportation personnel supporting the CAO
Identify planned and actual volume movements, determine whether the applicable threshold is met, and report the movement in accordance with agency regulations and the correct agency reporting channel.
Appropriate agency personnel
When transportation personnel are not the primary reporters, ensure that planned and actual volume movements are captured and reported under the agency’s internal procedures.
DoD activities
Report qualifying volume movements to SDDC in accordance with DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation, and ensure the movement data is complete and timely.
Civilian agencies
Report qualifying volume movements to the local GSA Office of Transportation using the applicable Transportation Management Zone office process.
Contracting activity/CAO
Use the volume movement information for contract administration, oversight, and transportation coordination, and ensure the responsible personnel are aware of reporting requirements.
Practical Implications
This rule is mainly an administrative tracking requirement, but it matters because large freight movements can affect transportation planning, routing, and oversight under the contract.
Contractors should be prepared to provide shipment data that allows the Government to determine whether the aggregate threshold has been reached, especially for multi-shipment contracts.
A common pitfall is counting individual shipments in isolation instead of aggregating all shipments during the contract period from the same origin to the same destination or area.
Another risk is using the wrong threshold: DoD and civilian agencies have different definitions, so the applicable agency must be identified before deciding whether a movement is reportable.
Because the section points to agency regulations for the actual reporting process, users must check the controlling DoD or GSA guidance rather than relying on FAR 47.207-11 alone.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) For purposes of contract administration, a volume movement is- (1) In DoD, the aggregate of freight shipments amounting to or exceeding 25 carloads, 25 truckloads, or 500,000 pounds, to move during the contract period from one origin point for delivery to one destination point or area; and (2) In civilian agencies, 50 short tons (100,000 pounds) in the aggregate to move during the contract period from one origin point for delivery to one destination point or area. (b) Transportation personnel assigned to or supporting the CAO, or appropriate agency personnel, shall report planned and actual volume movements in accordance with agency regulations. DoD activities report to the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) under DoD 4500.9-R, Defense Transportation Regulation. Civilian agencies report to the local office of GSA’s Office of Transportation (see www.gsa.gov/transportation (click on Transportation Management Zone Offices in left-hand column, then click on Transportation Management Zones under Contacts on right-hand column).