(1)
(i) Pack and mark the shipment to comply with contract specifications; or
(ii) In the absence of specifications, prepare the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements to protect the goods and to ensure assessment of the lowest applicable transportation charge;
(2)
(i) Order specified carrier equipment requested by the Government; or
(ii) If not specified, order appropriate carrier equipment not in excess of capacity to accommodate shipment;
(3) Deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the carrier, and load, stow, trim, block, and/or brace carload or truckload shipment (when loaded by the contractor) on or in the carrier’s conveyance as required by carrier rules and regulations;
(4) Be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods -
(i) Occurring before delivery to the carrier;
(ii) Resulting from improper packing and marking; or
(iii) Resulting from improper loading, stowing, trimming, blocking, and/or bracing of the shipment, if loaded by the contractor on or in the carrier’s conveyance;
(5) Complete the Government bill of lading supplied by the ordering agency or, when a Government bill of lading is not supplied, prepare a commercial bill of lading or other transportation receipt. The bill of lading shall show -
(i) A description of the shipment in terms of the governing freight classification or tariff (or Government rate tender) under which lowest freight rates are applicable;
(ii) The seals affixed to the conveyance with their serial numbers or other identification;
(iii) Lengths and capacities of cars or trucks ordered and furnished;
(iv) Other pertinent information required to effect prompt delivery to the consignee, including name, delivery address, postal address and ZIP code of consignee, routing, etc.;
(v) Special instructions or annotations requested by the ordering agency for commercial bills of lading; e.g. “This shipment is the property of, and the freight charges paid to the carrier(s) will be reimbursed by, the Government”; and
(vi) The signature of the carrier’s agent and the date the shipment is received by the carrier; and
(6) Distribute the copies of the bill of lading, or other transportation receipts, as directed by the ordering agency.