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
- Relocation Services Coordinator (RSC)
- The Office of the Director/Division of Logistics Services (OD/DLS) Project Officer
- The Relocation Contractor Company (RCC) and
- 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 NIH Commissioned Officers (CO).
Household Goods Defined
What are household goods?
According to Chapter 9 of NIH Travel Policy Handbook Relocation Allowances NIH Travel Policy Handbook - Revision.pdf 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:
- Automobiles, trucks, vans, and similar motor vehicles; boats; airplanes; mobile homes; camper trailers; and farming vehicles.
- Live animals, birds, fowls, and reptiles.
- Cordwood and building materials.
- Property held for resale, disposal, or commercial use rather than for personal use by the employee or the employee’s immediate family.
- 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.
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 Commissioned Officers are written in a guide to help you understand the process. This guide outlines policy, RCC/IC responsibilities, and the travel voucher process NIH Commissioned Officer Relocation Procedures.pdf. It also includes information on evaluation forms. The PHS form https://dcp.psc.gov/ccmis/PDF_docs/4013_1.pdf Application For Shipment of Household Goods (Commissioned Officers).
What are my relocation entitlements?
Commissioned Officers coverage for relocation allowances can be referenced in the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) Chapter 5 Part C website as follows: JTR.PDF (defense.gov)
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 https://olao.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/FTEs%20Relocation%20Procedures.pdf 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 NIH Form 2028 https://oma.od.nih.gov/Lists/DMSFormsList/Attachments/421/NIH%202028.pdf Request for Permanent Change of Station Officers – Civilian Personnel and Other Appointed Persons.
What are my relocation entitlements?
The NIH Travel and Shipping of Household Goods Entitlements For Employees Guidance is a guide that will assist you. It includes general information, traveler’s covered (new appointees and transferees), contractor procedures and, 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 entitlement upon separation for retirement, movement situations and maximum entitlements.
Chapter 9 of NIH Travel Policy Handbook -Travel Policies and Procedures NIH Travel Policy Handbook - Revision.pdf 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, advance of funds and lots of other valuable information. In addition to the NIH’s Policy, the FTE Relocation Job Aid contains information on the procedures and timelines relocation packages, travel authorization funding, travel vouchers, invoices and de-obligations.
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 https://olao.od.nih.gov/sites/default/files/Non-FTE%20Relocation%20Procedures.pdf 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 NIH Form 2028-1 https://oma.od.nih.gov/Lists/DMSFormsList/Attachments/422/NIH-2028-1_03-30-17.pdf. 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.
- transportation,
- per diem
- shipment of household goods, and/or
- 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.
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 and send it to email.
| Contact | Responsibility | Phone | Fax | |
| OD/DLS | Project Officer | [email protected] | 301-402-1831 | 301-496-4509 |
| RCC | Contractor - Brookfield Global Relocation Services (BGRS) | [email protected] | 202-688-6117 800-210-0299 Ext. 6520 | 866-550-6430 |
| OFM | Travel Vouchers | [email protected] | 301-402-6442 | 301-402-8311 |
| Alicia Jackson | Supervisor, Freight Forwarding Section | [email protected] | 301-496-8851 | 301-496-4509 |