Become a Participating Carrier

To participate in the DoD Bus Program, carriers must complete an online application. The application is divided into four parts. Applications are processed after supplemental documents are received.

In the application, carriers must:

  1. Certify Preliminary Requirements

    Attest DoD Bus Program safety, operational, and Government systems requirements outlined in Part II of DoD Bus Agreement #5 [PDF, 36 pages] are met.

  2. Provide Carrier Information

    Carrier-identifying information, including a central email address, Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC), Department of Transportation number, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) graduation date (if not grandfathered), and a list of carrier personnel that can be contacted for transportation arrangements or questions, must be provided.

  3. Acknowledge Service Contract Act (SCA)

    Carriers must acknowledge compliance with applicable requirements of the Department of Labor (DOL) Service Contract Act (SCA) [PDF, 1 page].

  4. Submit Supplemental Documents

    Carriers must provide an inventory of equipment [XLS, 1 page] and complete the signature page [PDF, 1 page] of the DoD Bus Agreement.

Details on each step of the process are available in the sections below and in the DoD Bus Agreement.

To be considered for the DoD Bus Program, a carrier must:

  • Have graduated from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) New Entrant Safety Assurance Program. New motor coach companies are required to register with FMCSA to ensure compliance with motor carrier safety. There is no cost to apply. Carriers that existed before the Program are grandfathered (see Title 49 CFR, Part 385).
  • Have a satisfactory FMCSA Carrier Safety Rating.
  • Have a Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) assigned by the National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA). A carrier can obtain a SCAC by contacting the NMFTA [nmfta.org]. The SCAC must be renewed annually to remain compliant. There is an annual fee associated with obtaining a SCAC.
  • Operate across state lines. Participating carriers must have an “Active” and “Authorized for Passengers” interstate operating authority registration. Carriers that operate solely within one state are unable to participate.

Carriers seeking DoD Approval must certify access to two Government systems:

USG’s System for Award Management (SAM)

To be paid, carriers must register to do business with the U.S. Government through SAM. Annual verification is required. Registration is free.

USTRANSCOM’s Group Operational Passenger System (GOPAX)

GOPAX is a web-based system supporting the request and procurement of full-charter transportation of military personnel traveling in groups. Carriers must access GOPAX to receive Requests for Service and submit Rate and Service Proposals for DoD movements once they receive notice from DTMO. To register for GOPAX, carriers must obtain an External Certification Authority (ECA); there is an annual fee to obtain certifications.

Carriers should provide an inventory of all equipment [XLS, 3 pages] to be used when transporting government personnel. Equipment must not be older than 20 years. Any changes to this inventory should be submitted to DTMO on a monthly basis and updated by October 1 of each subsequent year. Carriers must also complete the signature page [PDF, 1 page] of the DoD Bus Agreement.

If your application is approved, you will be notified by email of your DoD-Approved Carrier status. As an approved carrier, you must:

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Apply Now

Begin the online application to become a DoD-approved carrier

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Get GOPAX Access

View the process for first-time users

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Contact Us

Email DTMO's Bus Program team