Department of Defense

Simplify Department of Defense freight and logistics. Navigate requirements, meet standards, and deliver for military operations.

October 20, 2025
Guide to ARTRANS performance bonds (formerly known as SDDC)
October 20, 2025
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How to Get Started in Military Freight with ARTRANS Performance Bonds

Why the Military Freight Market Matters The military freight market is one of the most stable and high-volume opportunities in the transportation industry. At the center of this market is the U.S. Army Transportation Command (ARTRANS), formerly known as the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC). ARTRANS oversees the global movement of military equipment and supplies by surface transport, managing everything from trucks and rail to port shipments. Benefits of Working with Military Freight  For transportation companies, military freight offers unique advantages. Once in, your company gains access to a consistent, reputable stream of freight opportunities backed by the U.S. government. Maintaining your ARTRANS bond is worth it if your goal is long-term, stable growth. Beyond the financial appeal, hauling military freight builds credibility. Consistent performance with military contracts helps position your company as a serious player in government contracting. What is the ARTRANS Performance Bond? The ARTRANS Performance […]
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May 18, 2023
May 18, 2023
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What are Department of Defense (DOD) Performance Bonds?

If you’re involved in government contracting, specifically with the Department of Defense (DOD), you may have come across the term “performance bonds.” In this article, we’ll explore the basics of DOD performance bonds, their purpose, and how they function in the trucking industry. What does a DOD bond guarantee?   The Performance Bond secures performance and fulfillment of carrier obligations to deliver DOD freight.  It will cover any instance where a carrier cannot or will not deliver DOD freight tendered to them.  This includes default, abandonment, shipments, and bankruptcy by the carrier. The bond will not be utilized for operational problems, such as late pick-up/delivery, excessive transit times, refusals, no-show, improper/inadequate equipment, payment of subcontractors for claims or loss, or damaged cargo. What is a DOD Performance Bond? A DOD performance bond is a type of surety bond that guarantees the successful completion of a contract between a motor carrier […]
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May 2, 2022
May 2, 2022
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Supporting the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) of the DOD

ATTENTION: TRANSPORTATION SERVICE PROVIDERS! You have an important opportunity to support the Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC), a wing of the United States military and the Department of Defense (DoD). All that you need to do to be eligible is comply with DoD requirements and the new business could be yours. In order to transport military freight, all motor carriers, freight brokers and freight forwarders are required to have DoD performance bonds. DOD Performance Bonds It could be a tremendous new revenue opportunity and the team here at PFA Transportation Insurance & Surety Services can help set you up for success. The DoD performance bond amount is set at a flat rate of $100,000 for freight brokers and freight forwarders. Bonds for motor carriers are based on the size of your company and how many states you serve. For most freight carriers, a bond in the amount of $25,000 […]
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March 31, 2020
March 31, 2020
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Fueling Up – A Supply Chain in Flux

Adversity brings out the best in many of us. That will be counted on in the coming months as we adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis.  Those of you focused on the restaurant industry, for example, may need to shift gears to supporting the demand being faced by grocery stores, pharmacies and health food stores. There will be a slowdown – at least for the short term – in many products and services considered non-essential and a huge spike in those more essential to public health and safety. Are there competitors who could become collaborators? Could you team up on some opportunities with companies that are rivals? Or, are there trade-offs that you could make with other Freight Brokers or Motor Carriers? Are you built to be part of the solution in working with various levels of government and the health care sector? Are there ways in which […]
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June 27, 2019
June 27, 2019
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FINALLY AN OPEN SEASON FOR DOD BONDS

Required for Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command The Department of Defense is looking for traffic management expertise for domestic movement solutions and capabilities to meet DOD customer requirements for quality and velocity at the best-value. The recent announcement that the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) will accept domestic motor transportation service provider (TSP) registrations has been long-awaited and we’re here to help domestic motor TSPs qualify (including Freight Brokers and Freight Forwarders). In order to take advantage of this opportunity – during the narrow application timeframe that runs through February 29th, 2020 – Freight Brokers must have an SDDC bond in place. We can provide this and back it up with our experience and expertise in all forms of bonds, including our status as the nation’s largest provider of BMC-84s and BMC-85s. Our surety is part of the ‘Department of the Treasury’s Listing of Approved Sureties.’ We […]
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