WASHINGTON -- The Transportation Department postponed from Feb. 15
to Feb. 29 the deadline for bids from travel agencies that want to
provide a full range of services via FedTrip, the DOT's proposed
self-booking Web site for federal government travelers.
In addition, the DOT reopened a period during which agencies
that have a federal account or won a master contract from the
General Services Administration can submit their names to act as
electronic fulfillment centers to issue air tickets and other
travel documents for bookings via the site.
These agencies merely need to sign a one-page agreement with the
DOT, which appears on Page L-28 of the solicitation, and now have
until March 15 to turn it in.
Proposals to offer a full range of services on FedTrip will
include descriptions of the agency's quality-control system,
personnel, incentive program for rewarding performance, management
reporting, after-hours service, commission collection, experience
and transaction fees for telephone and electronic bookings.
Detailed requirements for proposals are contained in Section L,
Part 3 of the solicitation.
The DOT selected Dallas-based Travel Technologies Group to
provide the booking engine, using its ResAssist booking tool and
charging the traveler a $4 booking fee. Travel Technologies said it
has access to all four major CRSs.
Participating travel agencies would collect booking fees from
customers and forward them to Travel Technologies at least once a
month; travel agencies would charge and keep their own transaction
fees.
The DOT and Travel Technologies executives are scheduled to
present the first live demonstration of FedTrip at the Society of
Travel Agents in Government's annual conference on Feb. 15 in
Alexandria, Va.
The solicitation document and amendments are posted at www.eps.gov. Click on
vendors, DOT offices, Transportation Acquisition Service Center and
posted dates.