Defense Personal Property Program automates PCS moves Published Jan. 2, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Abigail Klein 28 Bomb Wing Public Affairs ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. -- In an effort to improve the household goods movement process for servicemembers, military civilians and their families, the Department of Defense has devised the Defense Personal Property Program. This new program, designed by SRA International Inc., is meant to ease the stress that accompanies a permanent change of station, said Darlene Bailly, 28th Logistics Readiness Squadron personal property chief. This new program is also aimed at focusing more on meeting the needs of servicemembers while promoting quality service. The DPS automates and simplifies the PCS household goods movement process by providing a one-stop source for managing household goods moves, Ms. Bailly said. According to the November 2008 counseling user guide for transportation offices and other government agencies prepared by SRA, the DPS supplies this by allowing customers 24-hour access to household goods shipment information throughout the moving process by requiring customers to initiate their household goods move through the Internet. This should create a single, paperless joint personal property environment enabling the online exchange of household goods-related information, Ms. Bailly said. As a result, customers will also be able to initiate and manage their personal property move through self-counseling, shipment pick-up and delivery. A November 2008 presentation by the AF functional manager for personal property systems stated DPS will allow customers to file all their claims on-line and complete the customer satisfaction survey to rate their carrier. This feature updates the current 35-year-old program for the household goods transportation program, which had limited the ability to award carriers who provide quality service. It also eases a customer's decision to file a claim for losses or damages during the move, while improving transportation of household goods. Some other key improvements made by DPS include, but are not limited to the following: · Shipments awarded based on quality of service, best value carrier selection. · Direct communication between carrier and service members. · Simplification and consolidation of accessorial services (i.e. crates for motorcycles, unique furniture, etc.). · Increased direct deliveries to your residence. · Simplified customer claims process. · Full replacement value on loss and damage claims. · Improved invoice payments through the Power Track system. Although most customers should be able to prepare all paperwork needed for a PCS move on their own, walk-in counseling will still be available to them should they need it, Ms. Bailly said. The SRA International Inc. user guide also states the DPS will not fundamentally change traditional counseling. Instead, it streamlines the necessary exchange of information between the customer and counselor responsible for approving and booking the move. "DPS will improve the liability and claims process, improve carrier performance through direct customer feedback, implement an integrated move management system and provide customer access 24-hours a day, 365 days a year at 99.5 percent availability," said Lt. Col. James Koontz, 28 LRS commander. Ellsworth is scheduled to implement the DPS beginning in February 2009. The household goods section of the 28 LRS will provide more information as it becomes available at commander's calls and town hall meetings. For more information on DPS, contact the traffic management office at (605) 385-2164.