FAR 47.305-8—Consolidation of small shipments and the use of stopoff privileges.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 47.305-8 addresses two related transportation cost-saving practices in federal supply delivery planning: consolidating small shipments into larger lots and using carrier stopoff privileges for partial unloading en route. The section gives contracting officers discretion to revise delivery schedules so that small, frequent deliveries can be combined into larger, more economical shipments, but only after consulting the transportation office and the requiring activity. It also directs that, when feasible, delivery schedules to multiple destinations should be consolidated and carrier tariff stopoff privileges should be used to partially unload at points directly along the route to the final destination. In practice, this section is about reducing freight costs, improving shipment efficiency, and aligning delivery schedules with transportation realities without sacrificing mission needs. It matters because delivery structure can significantly affect total contract cost, carrier pricing, and logistics performance, especially for supplies shipped in small quantities or to multiple locations.
Key Rules
Consolidate small shipments
Small shipments should be combined into larger lots whenever doing so will lower transportation costs. The rule recognizes that frequent, low-volume deliveries often cost more per unit to move than fewer, larger deliveries.
Revise delivery schedules
The contracting officer may change delivery schedules to support shipment consolidation. This authority is discretionary, not automatic, and should be exercised only after considering the supply requirement and transportation impact.
Consult before changing schedules
Before revising schedules, the contracting officer must consult the transportation office and the activity requiring the supplies. This ensures the revised schedule is operationally workable and does not interfere with mission needs.
Use stopoff privileges when feasible
For deliveries to multiple destinations, schedules should be consolidated and carrier tariff stopoff privileges used for partial unloading en route when feasible. The goal is to avoid separate trips when one routed shipment can serve multiple points along the way.
Follow carrier tariffs
Stopoff privileges are limited to what the carrier’s tariff permits. The government can only use stopoff arrangements that are available under the applicable transportation terms and pricing structure.
Responsibilities
Contracting Officer
Evaluate whether small shipments can be consolidated into larger lots to reduce transportation costs, consult the transportation office and the requiring activity before revising schedules, and adjust delivery schedules when appropriate. The contracting officer should also ensure delivery arrangements make practical use of stopoff privileges when multiple destinations are involved and feasible under carrier tariffs.
Transportation Office
Advise the contracting officer on transportation cost, routing, carrier tariff options, and logistical feasibility. The office helps determine whether consolidation or stopoff arrangements will actually reduce costs and remain operationally sound.
Activity Requiring the Supplies
Provide input on mission timing, quantity needs, storage constraints, and any operational limits that affect whether deliveries can be consolidated or rescheduled. This activity must help determine whether larger or less frequent deliveries are acceptable.
Carrier
Provide transportation services in accordance with applicable tariffs, including any permitted stopoff privileges for partial unloading. The carrier must honor only those stopoff arrangements allowed under its tariff and the shipment terms.
Practical Implications
This section is a cost-control tool: combining shipments can reduce freight charges, handling, and administrative effort, especially for recurring small deliveries.
The main pitfall is over-consolidation. If delivery schedules are stretched too far, the government may save on transportation but create shortages, storage problems, or mission delays.
Another common issue is assuming stopoffs are always available. They depend on carrier tariff terms, so the contracting officer must verify that the routing and partial-unload plan is actually permitted.
Coordination matters. If the transportation office or requiring activity is not consulted, the revised schedule may be impractical or may fail to achieve the intended savings.
Contractors should watch for delivery schedule changes that affect production planning, packaging, or shipping arrangements, and should confirm whether multiple-destination shipments can be handled as a single routed movement.
Official Regulatory Text
(a) Consolidation of small shipments. Consolidation of small shipments into larger lots frequently results in lower transportation costs. Therefore, the contracting officer, after consultation with the transportation office and the activity requiring the supplies, may revise the delivery schedules to provide for deliveries in larger quantities. (b) Stopping for partial unloading. When feasible, schedules for delivery of supplies to multiple destinations shall be consolidated and the stopoff privileges permitted under carrier tariffs shall be used for partial unloading at one or more points directly en route between the point of origin and the last destination.