SHIPMENT SERVICES – HOUSEHOLD GOODS

Relocating your household goods is serious business. Whether you are relocating locally, domestically or internationally, we are here to assist you with your relocation and travel needs. Our Household Goods Relocation Services Branch [more specifically the Office of the Director/Division of Logistics Services' (OD/DLS) Contract Competency Center hereafter referred to as the OD/DLS Project Office] is available to help you with your relocation needs Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Our Household Goods Relocation Services Team is composed of a number of different offices that work together to ensure that your relocation experience is a smooth and uneventful one.

The Household Goods Relocation Services Team and Their Relationship

Who does our team consist of?
Our Household Goods Relocation Services Team consists of the
  1. Relocation Services Coordinator (RSC)
  2. The Office of the Director/Division of Logistics Services (OD/DLS) Project Officer
  3. The Relocation Contractor Company (RCC) and
  4. The Office of Financial Management's (OFM's) Travel Office
What does each team member do and how does each service you?
The RSC is a personnel or other human resources officer/agent from an agency or an institute (IC) who generates or submits the appropriate paperwork to initiate the relocation process. The OD/DLS Project Officer works with, oversees, and directs the efforts of the RCC to ensure that you receive quality services throughout the entire relocation process. The RCC assigns a Move Management Consultant to coordinate your moving dates and arrangements and provides you with any consultation required throughout the relocation process. After the completion of the move, the RCC is also responsible for assisting you (all except commissioned officers) in finalizing your travel voucher so that you can be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred. Commissioned Officers initiate the travel voucher process by contacting their RSC. The OFM reviews the travel voucher package for accuracy and completeness. Once the review is completed, then you will receive payment for your travel expenses.
Who do we service?
We service relocating Civilians and Other Appointed Individuals, Non-Full Time Equivalent (non-FTE) personnel, and some Commissioned Officers (CO). We service COs associated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

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Household Goods Defined

What are household goods?
According to Chapter 9 of NIH Policy 1500-09-01 General Rules and Eligibility Conditions, Section B of Manual Issuance 1500 () household goods include:
All personal property associated with the home and all personal effects belonging to an employee and the immediate family when shipment begins, and which can be legally accepted and transported as household goods by an authorized commercial carrier in accordance with the rules and regulations established or approved by an appropriate Federal or State regulatory authority, except the items excluded that follow. Snowmobiles and vehicles with two or three wheels may be shipped as household goods.
What items are excluded and are not considered household goods? The following are excluded:
  1. Automobiles, trucks, vans and similar motor vehicles; boats; airplanes; mobile homes; camper trailers; and farming vehicles;
  2. Live animals, birds, fowls, and reptiles;
  3. Cordwood and building materials;
  4. Property held for resale, disposal, or commercial use rather than for personal use by the employee or the employee's immediate family; and
  5. Any property or items which carriers' tariffs prohibit carriers from accepting for shipment e.g., perishable food, flammable items, plants, and similar material.
NOTE: Items that are irreplaceable or of extreme value or sentiment are not provided special security even if extra insurance is purchased. Employees and their families are advised to personally transport these articles. The items in a) above may be included as household goods at the discretion of the institute with prior written approval.

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Shipment of Household Goods for NIH Commissioned Officers

What is the process that I must go through for the relocation of my household goods?
The RCC Processing Procedures for Civilians and Other Appointed Individuals are written in a guide to help you understand the process. This guide outlines policy, RCC/IC responsibilities, and the travel voucher process. It also includes information on evaluation forms.
What are my relocation entitlements?
Commissioned Officers coverage for relocation allowances can be referenced in the Joint Federal Travel Regulations web site as follows: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/travelreg.cfm
What other information is there to assist me with the relocation/travel process?
The Traveler's Guide can also assist you with your travel needs. It contains information on general policy, planning/lead time, authority to travel, travel funding, per diem allowance, miscellaneous and travel expenses and other travel information.

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Shipment of Household Goods for Civilians and Other Appointed Individuals

What is the process that I must go through for the relocation of my household goods?
The RCC's Processing Procedures for Civilians and Other Appointed Individuals are written in a guide to help you understand the process. This guide outlines policy, RCC/IC responsibilities, and the travel voucher process. It also includes information on evaluation forms and the travel advance process. The procedures also include a NIH Form 2028 Request for Permanent Change of Station Officers – Civilian Personnel and Other Appointed Persons.
What are my relocation entitlements?
NIH Travel and Shipping of Household Goods Entitlements (for Employees) is a guide that will assist you. It includes general information, traveler's covered, contractor procedures, OD/DLS Project Office information and answers to frequently asked questions in the areas of travel/transportation, per diem, shipment of household goods, temporary storage of household goods, temporary quarters, a househunting trip, residence transactions, insurance, relocation entitlements upon separation for retirement, movement situations and maximum entitlements.
What other information is there to assist me with the relocation/travel process?
Chapter 9 of NIH Policy 1500 – TRAVEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES provides a wealth of information to assist you. Some of this information includes general rules and eligibility concerns (including persons covered and persons excluded), definitions, policy (for new appointees and transferees), employee liability, advances of funds and lots of other valuable information.
In addition to the NIH's Policy, the Traveler's Guide can also assist you with your travel needs. It contains information on general policy, planning/lead time, authority to travel, travel funding, per diem allowance, miscellaneous and travel expenses and other travel information. The FTE Relocation Job Aid contains information on the procedures and timelines relocation packages, travel authorization funding, travel vouchers, invoices and de-obligations.

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Shipment of Household Goods for Non-FTEs

What is the process that I must go through for the relocation of my household goods?
The RCC's Processing Procedures for Non-FTEs are written in a guide to help you understand the process. This guide outlines policy, RCC/IC responsibilities, and the travel voucher process. It also includes information on evaluation forms. The procedures also include a NIH Form 2028 Request for Permanent Change of Station Officers – Non-FTE Persons.
What are my relocation entitlements?
Relocation entitlements for Non-FTEs vary. Non-FTEs may qualify for up to four entitlements. These include
  1. transportation,
  2. per diem,
  3. shipment of household goods, and/or
  4. temporary storage.
Of the combined total of the four, Non-FTE entitlements cannot exceed $3,000. Contact your RSC for more information on your Non-FTE entitlements.
What other information is there to assist me with the relocating/travel process? The Traveler's Guide can also assist you with your travel needs. It contains information on general policy, planning/lead time, authority to travel, travel funding, per diem allowance, miscellaneous and travel expenses and other travel information.

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Feedback and Contact Information

How can I provide feedback on the services that I received?
Relocating individuals can complete the RCC and Carrier Evaluation Questionnaire * (needs to be created) and send it to email. RSCs, Administrative Officers and Executive Officers can complete the RCC Evaluation Questionnaire * (needs to be created) and send it to email. To provide feedback on any other team member, email your comments to email * - Needs to be created.
How do I contact…?
Contact Responsibility Email Phone Fax
OD/DLS Project Officer jacksona@od.nih.gov 301-496-8851 301-496-4509
RCC Contractor – Brookfield relocation services melissa.moorer@prudential.com 202-688-6117
800-210-0299 Ext.6520
866-550-6430
OFM Travel Vouchers allenk@od.nih.gov 301-435-2927 301-402-8311
Alicia Jackson Supervisor, Relocation Services Section jacksona@od.nih.gov 301-496-8851 301-496-4509

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