Proposed Implementation of the Defense Table of Official Distances (DTOD) for Passenger Transportation and Travel Services

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Proposed Implementation of the Defense Table of Official

Distances (DTOD) for Passenger Transportation and Travel Services

AGENCY: Military Traffic Management Command, DoD.

ACTION: Notice (Request for Comments).

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Military Traffic Management Command (MTMC), as the Program

Director for the Department of Defense (DoD), intends to utilize a new

automated distance calculation product known as the Defense Table of

Distances (DTOD) as part of the Groups Operational Passenger System

(GOPAX). The DTOD will replace existing distance calculation products

used within the DoD, such as DoD Official Table of Distances. The DTOD

will become the DoD standard source for distance information worldwide.

Commercially, DTOD is known as PC*MILER by ALK Associates, Inc.

Carriers may continue to use other mileage sources for preparation of

Offers of Service, and for their own business purposes. However, the

DTOD/PC*MILER will be the DoD Standard for all distance calculations,

analysis or audits for transportation services billed on a per mile

(mileage) basis. Carriers and passenger service providers participating

in the DoD passenger transportation and travel services programs must

agree to be bound by the DTOD/PC*MILER distance calculations for

payment and audit purposes.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before September 8, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to: Headquarters, Military Traffic

Management Command, ATTN: MTOP-T, Room 617, 5611 Columbia Pike, Falls

Church, VA 22041-5050.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Additional information concerning the

DTOD for MTMC Passenger Transportation and Travel Services Programs can

be provided by contacting Ms. Beverly Cox at (703) 681-9444.

Information regarding DTOD compliant commercial software and other

technical information can be provided by contacting ALK Associates,

Inc. at 1 (800) 377-MILE or on the Internet at www.pcmiler.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. The proposed effective date for use of the DTOD in DoD Passenger

Transportation and Travel Services programs is 1 June 1999.

2. Existing Groups Operational Passenger System (GOPAX) mileage

tables will be replaced by DTOD/PC*MILER software.

3. ALK Associates, Inc., will provide all interested parties the

capability to license PC*MILER, to ensure the ability to consistently

determine the exact mileage that the DOD uses for entitlement

determination and audit purposes.

[[Page 36887]]

4. It is anticipated that transition to DTOD will have no

significant impact upon passenger carriers since rates are not obtained

or paid on a mileage basis, but rather on a per seat or per trip basis.

While per seat cost and trip costs must consider distance, offerors

will be free to establish their costs based on the distance calculation

methods of their choice.

5. The DTOD/PC*MILER products will calculate both ``shortest'' and

``practical'' mileage. It will contain Standford Point Location Codes,

military locations and other worldwide locations required by DoD.

Updates and version control DTOD and PC*MILER will be consistent with

industry practices. Carriers and/or other parties who choose to use

PC*MILER will have opportunities to provide feedback to ALK Associates,

Inc., the provider of DTOD software, regarding routings, database

suggestions such as distance differences, road preference suggestions,

road re-classifications, new locations, etc.

6. Interested parties are invited to provide comments concerning

the use of the DTOD to the address provided above. Comments will be

accepted for a period of 60 days from the publication date of this

notice.

7. Regulatory Flexibility Act. This change is related to public

contracts and is designed to standardize distance calculation for line-

haul transportation. This change is not considered rule making within

the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612.

8. Paperwork Reduction Act. The Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C.

3051 et seq., does not apply because no information collection

requirement or recordskeeping responsibilities are imposed on offerors,

contractors, or members of the public.

Francis A. Galluzzo,

ADCSOPS Transportation Services.

[FR Doc. 98-18021 Filed 7-7-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3710-08-M