In an RFP, the carriers are being asked to bid on specific types of freight moving on specific traffic lanes. The rates they quote are based on the freight descriptions that you provide. It is essential that all aspects of the freight be documented in sufficient detail so as to ensure the quotes received are an exact match for the freight being shipped. These are some of the areas that require their input.
a) What do typical shipments look like (e.g. pallets, pieces, a combo, drums, totes etc.)?
b) What are the precise dimensions and weights of the freight?
c) How is the freight loaded and unloaded (e.g. crane, fork lift, lumper service, side loading, apartment deliveries etc.)?
d) Are the carriers expected to drop a trailer or is it a live load?
e) Is there anything unique about the time of the pick-up or delivery (e.g. pre 8:00 AM delivery, key entry during the night etc.)?
f) Does the freight move via an expedited service, using standard ground (over the road) service, and/or intermodal service?
There is nothing more frustrating and wasteful than conducting a freight bid and finding out at the end that the bids received are not correct since they do not pertain to the specific freight being shipped. Many carriers now routinely weigh and scale the shipments they receive. When it comes to supplying information on the density of your LTL freight, here are two tips. Don’t guess and don’t lie. If your company has misrepresented its freight, you run the risk of having carriers coming back to you after they have handled the freight for several weeks, asking for significant rate increases. Taking some extra time at the outset to prepare clear and complete shipping profiles will pay dividends down the road.
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