41 CFR § 102-118.15 - Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this part:
Agency means a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government (31 U.S.C. 101).
Bill of lading (BOL), sometimes referred to as a commercial bill of lading, but includes a Government bill of lading (GBL), is a transportation document that can be issued by either the agency or the TSP. It serves multiple purposes as a receipt of goods, contract of carriage, and evidence of title. It also specifies contract terms and conditions, and is mandatory for all shipments. The TSP must comply with applicable Federal regulations, specifically 41 CFR part 102-117 and this part.
Civilian Board of Contract Appeals (CBCA) means an independent court within GSA that settles transportation payment claims disputes between Federal agencies and TSPs. For additional information on the CBCA see https://www.cbca.gov/index.html.
Claim means—
(1) Any demand by an agency upon a TSP for the payment of overcharges, ordinary debts, fines, penalties, administrative fees, special charges, and interest; or
(2) Any demand by the TSP for amounts not included in the original bill that the TSP believes an agency owes them. This includes amounts deducted or offset by an agency; amounts previously refunded by the TSP, which is believed to be owed; and any subsequent bills from the TSP resulting from a transaction that was audited by the agency.
Document reference number (DRN) means the unique number on a BOL, Government Transportation Request (GTR), or transportation ticket used to track the movement of shipments and individuals.
Electronic funds transfer (EFT) means any transfer of funds, other than transactions initiated by cash, check, or similar paper instrument, that is initiated through an electronic terminal, telephone, computer, or magnetic tape, for the purpose of ordering, instructing, or authorizing a financial institution to debit or credit an account.
Government bill of lading (GBL) means the transportation document used as a receipt of goods, evidence of title, and a contract of carriage for Government international shipments (see bill of lading (BOL) definition in this section).
Government contractor issued charge card means an individually billed travel card or an agency purchase card.
Government Transportation Request (GTR) (Optional Form (OF) 1169) means a Government document used to procure passenger transportation services from a TSP. The document obligates the Government to pay for transportation services provided and is used when a Government contractor issued charge card is not accepted by the TSP.
Individually billed travel card means the charge card used by authorized individuals to pay for official travel and transportation related expenses for which the contractor bills the employee. This is different from a centrally billed account paying for official travel and transportation related expenses for which the agency is billed.
Offset means withholding money from a payment. In this part, money withheld refers to the funds owed a TSP that are not released by the agency but instead used to repay the Government for a debt incurred by the TSP.
Ordinary debt means an amount that a TSP owes an agency other than for the repayment of an overcharge. Ordinary debts include, but are not limited to, payments for transportation services ordered and not provided (including unused transportation tickets), duplicate payments, and amounts for which a TSP is liable because of loss and/or damage to property it transported.
Overcharge means those charges for transportation that exceed those applicable under the executed agreement for services such as BOL (including a GBL, contract, rate tender or a GTR).
Postpayment audit means an audit of transportation billing documents, and all related transportation documents after payment, to decide their validity, propriety, and conformity of rates with tariffs, quotations, agreements, contracts, or tenders. The audit process may also include subsequent adjustments and collection actions taken against a TSP by the Government (31 U.S.C. 3726).
Prepayment audit means an audit of transportation billing documents before payment to determine their validity, propriety, and conformity of rates with tariffs, quotations, agreements, contracts, or tenders (31 U.S.C. 3726).
Privately Owned Personal Property Government Bill of Lading means the agency transportation document used as a receipt of goods, evidence of title, and generally a contract of carriage. It is only available for the transportation of household goods. Use of this form is mandatory for the Department of Defense, but optional for other agencies.
Refund means the amount collected from outside sources for payments made in error, overpayment, or adjustments for previous amounts disbursed.
Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) is a unique code, typically two to four characters, used to identify transportation companies.
Statement of difference means a statement issued by an agency or its designated audit contractor during a prepayment audit when it has been determined that a TSP has billed the agency for more than the proper amount for the services. This statement tells the TSP the amount allowed and the basis for the proper charges. The statement also cites the applicable rate references and other data relied on for support. The agency issues a separate statement of difference for each transportation transaction. This can be an electronic process.
Supplemental bill means the bill for services that the TSP submits to the agency for additional payment of the services provided.
Taxpayer identification number (TIN) means the number required by the Internal Revenue Service to be used by the TSP in reporting income tax or other returns. For a TSP, the TIN is an employer identification number.
Transportation means service involved in the physical movement (from one location to another) of people, household goods, and freight by a TSP or a Third Party Logistics (3PL) entity for an agency, as well as activities directly relating to or supporting that movement. These activities are defined in 49 U.S.C. 13102.
Transportation audit is a thorough review and validation of transportation related documents and bills. The audit must examine the validity, propriety, and conformity of the charges or rates with tariffs, quotations, contracts, agreements, or tenders, as appropriate.
Transportation document (TD) means any executed document for transportation services, such as a BOL, a tariff, a tender, a contract, a GTR, invoices, paid invoices, any transportation bills, or other equivalent documents, including electronic documents.
Transportation payment is a payment made by an agency to a TSP for the movement of goods, people or transportation related services.
Transportation service provider (TSP) means any party, person, agent, or carrier that provides freight, household goods, or passenger transportation or related services to an agency.