United States of all removable aliens

through the fair and effective

enforcement of the nation’s

immigration laws”, has established a

fleet program designated to meet,

and even exceed all its

responsibilities.

Key elements to set the fleet

program on a positive course are:

• A proactive vehicle working group

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GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy

Issue 28 May 2004

http://www.gsa.gov/vehiclepolicy Vehicle

Views

In This Issue

Fleet Management Success . . . . . . . . . . . 1

vehicle.policy@gsa.gov . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

FedFleet 2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

AutoChoice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

EDTA Applauds Electric Drive 

Success at NA Int’l. Auto Show . . . . . . . 6

Electric Drive Transportation 

Association Conference 2004 . . . . . . . . . . 7

From the West Coast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2003 FedFleet Report Published . . . . . . . . 9

MTV Keeps Growing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Meritorious and Valorous Service

Recognition to Senior Agents . . . . . . . . 11

Moses Attends NAFA Events. . . . . . . . . 12

GSA Automotive New Awards . . . . . . . 13

2005 FVS Training Conference . . . . . . . . 14

Ford Ends Natural Gas Program

to Concentrate on Hybrids . . . . . . . . . . . 15

GM and NEV Coalition Partner 

to Advance Use of E85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Oklahoma Governor Announces

Improvements for State AFVs . . . . . . . . 17

Natural Gas Fuels DOE’s NETL 

Government Vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

USMC Honored for Energy Management,

Alternative Fuels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Congress Considers Ban on Rogue

Traffic Preemption Devices . . . . . . . . . . 23

Enforcement of New Hours-of-Service

Rules Begins Today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

FMCSA R&T Forum 

Features Stellar Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Firestone Intitiates Safety Program . . 26

FMCSA Conducts Stakeholder Forum 27

Promoting Safety Belt Use 

Every Trip, Every Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

MTV Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Continued on page 2

During the development of

the new Department of

Homeland Security, the

opportunity arose to implement

new and innovative ways to

manage the many difficult tasks

required to ensure success. 

One such task is that of Motor

Vehicle Fleet Management. Fleet

is a complex series of processes

designed to keep the field officers,

inspectors, investigators and

administrative support teams

mobile to meet the mission of

securing our homeland. 

Our responsibility, as fleet

managers, does not end with

supplying and managing the tens

of thousands of vehicles that make

up the Department of Homeland

Security fleet. It also includes

making well thought-out decisions

on effective spending of millions

of our hard earned tax dollars, a

responsibility not to be taken

lightly.

The Office of Detention and

Removal’s mission: “To promote

public safety and national security

by ensuring the departure from the

Fleet Management Success

through Partnership & Teamwork

By Charles R. Welke

Fleet Manager, Office of Detention and Removal

Charles R. Welke, Fleet Manager, Office

of Detention and Removal
requirements;

• A Partnership with Federal Prison

Industries (UNICOR) who retrofit

the vehicles and manage the

automated Vehicle Management

Information System (VMIS). They

support the organization with

quality and efficiency, and we

support them with their program

2

FLEET MANAGEMENT from page 1

VehicleViews

to rehabilitate federal inmates;

• Employing the abilities of proven

industry consultants such as

Maximus Asset Solutions, to

assist in the effective

implementation of fleet

procedures; 

• Networking with field personnel to

ensure the safety, security and

efficiency of all fleet equipment;

and 

• Keeping up to date on the latest

fleet industry standards and

technologies for consistent

program improvement.

In addition, the Office of Detention

and Removal strongly supports the

GSA fleet services and functions

offered. We believe these events are

instrumental in building partnerships

and generating teamwork making the

Federal fleet a success. ■

vehicle.policy@gsa.gov

E-mail the Experts in the Federal Vehicle Policy Division

Is a contractor that uses a GSA Fleet

Vehicle required to have liability auto

insurance or is the contractor

covered by the government’s ‘self

insurance’?

This is a pure contracting issue. It

should always be addressed in the

solicitation and contract. If it were

not stated, the contractor would

assume that the government would

accept the liability and not include

the cost of insurance in the bid.

Normally, contractors that are

authorized to use government

furnished vehicles under the contract

are required to provide their own

insurance per the language of the

contract.

The bottom line is that it should

ALWAYS be addressed in the

contract. ■

FedFleet News: 

Thanks Henry!

Henry Herzberg, U.S. Coast

Guard Fleet Manager, resigned

on February 12, 2004 as the Chair

of the FEDFLEET Steering

Committee. John Hughes, the

General Services Administration

Fleet Manager, will be the acting

Chair of the Committee until a

replacement is elected at the

next FedFleet Quarterly Meeting.

We would like to thank Henry for

his service as Chair of the

FedFleet Steering Committee.

He may no longer be “in charge”,

but we still expect to see him at

our quarterly FedFleet meetings.

■

National Transportation Week 

May 16-22, 2004

National Transportation Week provides an opportunity for the

transportation community to join together for greater awareness about the

importance of transportation. National Transportation Week also focuses

on making youth aware of transportation-related careers.

The second annual National Transportation Week Conference and

Exposition will launch National Transportation Week this year in

Washington, D.C. 

Contact: 703-235-0519 or info@ntweek.org ■
VehicleViews

3

Start Your Engines for FedFleet 2004!!

By Laurie S. Feld

FedFleet 2004 Project Manager

The largest federal fleet event of this year is just

around the corner. So please be sure to mark your

calendar, register for the event, and make your

hotel reservations.

Here are some important updates:

This is a very exciting time in federal fleet management –

major change is underway! At this point in time federal

fleet management has the opportunity to take very

positive and groundbreaking action. The effects of these

actions will definitely affect the performance of the entire

federal government as well as the security of the

American public. Don’t miss out on all of the important

information about where the management and operation

of the federal fleet is headed. You’ll be motivated to return

to work and enact the beneficial changes you learn. 

The Fleet Management Review Initiative Overview

and Fleet Management Review Initiative

Implementation workshop sessions will cover the details

of the major changes that are underway.

We will have a Special Presentation during the Opening

Session on Tuesday, July 20th entitled Mobility in

America: What Can Be Learned From Assessing

Past Predictions? It will be presented by Thomas A.

Crumm, who is considered one of the industry’s most

unique visionaries. His presentation will cover: What were

the predictions for an evolution in mobility in the 1990s?

What are the trends to watch in this decade? How might

advances in technology, economics, political interest, and

social concern combine to change mobility needs by 2014.

This presentation will also include some predictions of

what the federal government might bring to mobility in

America in the next decade.

We’ll also have a workshop session on Future Trends in

Public Sector and Commercial Fleet Management.

This workshop will examine ongoing and future trends at

both public sector and commercial fleets in terms of

operating costs; used-vehicle resale values; privatization

initiatives and outsourcing; the impact of upcoming newvehicle technologies; fuel management trends; issues in

fleet accident management and repair costs; and emerging

legal concerns for fleets.

We’re happy to have a workshop session on Identity

Theft. Identity Theft is the fastest growing crime in the

United States. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service will

conduct a video and PowerPoint presentation. You’ll learn

about the ways criminals are stealing people’s identity,

tips to avoid being a victim of identity theft, and what to do

if you are a victim. You don’t want to miss this valuable

information!

The Ask the Expert Q-&-A Panel will be conducted

“Talk-Show Host” style with a moderator. The panelists

Continued on page 4

Who: You and your fellow fleet professionals

What: FedFleet 2004: The Road to the Future

is Now

Where: Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, 

New York, New York

When: July 20 – 22, 2004

Why: Please read on...
VehicleViews

4

are associates from the Office of Management and

Budget, the GSA Office of General Counsel, the U.S.

Navy, the GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy, GSA

Fleet, and GSA Automotive. The moderator will direct

questions from the attendees to these subject-matter

experts. Suggested question topics include: Home-toWork, Authorized Use of a Federal Motor Vehicle,

Canadian and Mexican Insurance, use of rental cars while

on Official Duty Travel (TDY), and the issues of liability

coverage while using a rental car on TDY.

The “Smart Fleet Technology” Initiative: 

We will put a special emphasis on vehicle technology

initiatives at this year’s event in order to assist you in your

pursuit of electronic fleet operation and management. We

have identified workshop sessions and exhibitors that

showcase the use of technologically advanced best

practices, products, and services. This will allow fleet

managers to use emerging technologies to improve fleet

management and operation methodologies, decrease

costs, and increase productivity. Look for the lightningbolt symbol next to workshop names on

www.fedfleet.org, in the Final Program, and on signs at

the event. Also look for this symbol next to exhibitor

names in the Exhibit Hall Guide and their exhibit booth

backwall drape.

For your convenience, we have decided to hold registration

on Monday, July 19th at the Sheraton New York Hotel and

Towers (our headquarter hotel) from 10am to 7pm. We

highly encourage you to stop by the registration desk on

Monday for a just a few short minutes to check-in and pick

up your registration materials and your name badge. 

The overall agenda, workshop sessions, and speaker

information have been recently updated as well as the

times for breakfast, registration, and the exhibit hall.

Please visit the “Agenda & Workshop Descriptions”

section of www.fedfleet.org. The scheduled times and

the pick-up and drop-off points for the shuttle bus service

between the Sheraton and Javits Center have been

updated. Please visit the “Conference Shuttle Bus

Schedule” section of www.fedfleet.org. 

We highly encourage you NOT to rent a car or drive your

POV or drive a GOV to New York City. Having a vehicle

will be unnecessary, as well as expensive to park.

The Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers (our

headquarter hotel) is tax-exempt for federal employees.

The tax-exempt form can be easily downloaded from the

“Hotel Reservations” section of www.fedfleet.org. You

can make your hotel reservations by calling the Sheraton

New York Hotel and Towers directly (phone: 212-581-1000)

and requesting the group rate for FedFleet 2004. The

group rate is valid for both Government and nonGovernment attendees. The group rate is valid from

arrival on July 14th to checkout on July 26th to

accommodate those who wish to spend extra time in the

area. 

SuperShuttle Shared-Ride Van Service has offered

FedFleet participants a Special Rate Coupon. The Coupon

is valid from July 17th – July 25th for transport from either

LaGuardia Airport or Kennedy Airport to the Sheraton

New York Hotel and Towers. You must give this Coupon to

the driver when you are picked-up at the airport. You can

download this coupon from the “Airline and Ground

Transportation” section of www.fedfleet.org. 

For your convenience, the Javits Center will set-up and run

a luggage-check service on Thursday, July 22nd one hour

before and one hour after the FedFleet events. There is a

$3.00 per piece charge.

Your participation will make FedFleet 2004 a true success.

Come on out and join your fellow fleet professionals for an

unforgettable event in an unforgettable city! Come a few

days early or stay a few days longer. 

Points of Contact for FedFleet 2004 are: 

Laurie Feld (laurie.feld@gsa.gov or 202-219-1821)

Krista Freer (krista.freer@gsa.gov or 202-208-0372) ■

FEDFLEET from page 3

We look forward to seeing you in 

“The Big Apple” in July.

Remember, The Road to the Future is Now and all

roads lead to New York, New York!
VehicleViews

5

GSA Automotive is committed

to complying with the 2001,

President’s Management

Agenda and the Office of

Management and Budget to eliminate

the use of paper requisitions. As of

October 1, 2004 (FY05) GSA

Automotive will no longer accept

paper requisitions (such as, Motor

Vehicle Requisition Form 1781 and

MIPRS, DD Form 448) for light vehicle

requisitions. In order to help our

customers adapt to GSA

Automotive’s on-line ordering

program, AutoChoice,

www.autochoice.gsa.gov has

undergone several enhancements.

AutoChoice allows customers to

choose and compare makes, models

and contract prices on a variety of the

vehicles offered by GSA Automotive,

and place the orders online.

AutoChoice is updated with the most

current information; it immediately

reflects all changes made to the

Federal Vehicle Standards for vehicles

available on AutoChoice. Vehicles

offered include sedans, light trucks,

SUVs, light-duty body trucks,

Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs),

ambulances, buses and some medium

and heavy vehicles. 

AutoChoice allows customers to view

base prices as well as prices for

equipment options. It shows a side by

side comparison of selected vehicle

makes and models as well as the

selected options with prices.

AutoChoice will also calculate the

prices for the selected vehicles and

optional equipment and will provide a

price summary with the GSA 1%

surcharge. 

AutoChoice also allows its customers

on sedan and light truck acquisitions

to choose vehicle colors and the

dealer for delivery. It provides all

customers with the ability to check

the requisition/order status, view

when the order was placed with the

contractor, shipment date, vehicle

identification number (VIN) and the

delivery dealer location. It also

provides links to the Federal Vehicle

Standards and the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA), for information on crash

test results.

The “Price Discount” tab in

AutoChoice shows the substantial

discounts offered to GSA Automotive

by General Motors, Ford and

DaimlerChrysler on light vehicles. It

shows a side by side comparison; the

base vehicle prices offered to the

government (without GSA surcharge),

compared with the manufacturer

invoice prices and the manufacturer

retail prices.

In the past, AutoChoice has had both

an “OEM Clarifications” tab for

clarifications on contract information

and an “OEM Exceptions” tab for

exceptions to the contracts. These

tabs have recently been combined

into one tab. The new “OEM

Clarifications” tab is now a one stop

shop for all clarifications and

exceptions to the contracts. 

GSA Automotive is a mandatory

source for government executive

agencies and other eligible users to

order vehicles in accordance with the

Federal Property Management

Regulations Sec. 101-26.501-1. For a

list of agencies and organizations

eligible to use GSA as a source of

supply, go to www.gsa.gov/schedules.

If you have any questions or require

assistance with AutoChoice, please

call GSA Automotive’s Customer

CARE, Marketing and Systems

Division at (703) 308-CARS (2277) or

e-mail us at:

vehicle.buying@gsa.gov. ■

It’s Just a Click Away - AutoChoice, 

The Online Source for all your Vehicle Needs
VehicleViews

6

The Electric Drive

Transportation

Association (EDTA)

applauds the strong showing and

recognition of electric drive

technologies by automakers. In

particular, EDTA congratulates

Toyota for winning the “North

American Car of the Year” award for

its 2004 Prius hybrid electric vehicle.

This prestigious award is given by a

group of 49 automotive journalists

from the United States and Canada.

The North American Car and Truck of

the Year awards are designed to

honor vehicles that set new

standards in their class. Entries are

judged in several categories

including design, safety, fuel

economy, performance, functionality,

technical innovation and value for the

dollar. This year’s competition

included 17 cars and 13 trucks. 

Additional Electric Drive

Announcements from the

North American International

Auto Show:

Toyota unveiled its Highlander

hybrid SUV, which will be available in

early 2005. The Highlander hybrid

features a new version of Toyota’s

Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain,

offering the fuel economy of a

compact sedan. Its estimated driving

range will be over 600 miles on a

single tank of gas, and the

Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA) will rate it as a super ultra low

emission vehicle (SULEV). 

Honda announced plans to introduce

a hybrid Accord V6 in 2004, which will

feature Honda’s new Integrated

Motor Assist technology and Variable

Cylinder Management, offering the

fuel economy of a 4-cylinder compact

Civic. 

Ford’s Escape hybrid SUV is set for a

2004 release, and is expected to

achieve 35-40 miles per gallon in city

driving, with the performance of a V6.

Lexus introduced the RX 400h hybrid

electric luxury SUV, which will go on

sale in late 2004. The RX 400h

features a full hybrid system, and

operates in separate electric and gas

modes, or in combination. It will be

classified as a SULEV, and Lexus

estimates fuel economy similar to

that of a passenger car. 

Mercedes-Benz showcased the

Vision Grand Sports Tourer concept

car, a SUV/minivan crossover vehicle

with a diesel electric hybrid

powertrain that features a 250

horsepower V8 diesel engine with a

50kW electric motor, providing 20%

better fuel efficiency.

In addition, Mitsubishi Motors

showcased a hybrid electric Eclipse

Concept-E prototype which features

a 150kW electric motor powered by

lithium-ion batteries. Finally, Subaru

promoted two electric drive concept

vehicles: the B9SC hybrid electric

roadster, and the pure-electric, zeroemission R1e.

EDTA Co-Chairman Eugene

Zeltmann, President and CEO of New

York Power Authority, praises the

auto industry for its commitment to

bringing clean and efficient electric

drive technologies into the

marketplace. “Hybrids have certainly

taken center stage at the world’s

largest auto show, which proves that

the technology is ready, the public is

eager, and as more models are

brought to market, electric drive will

continue to make a significant

impact.”

EDTA is an international association

representing the development,

production and use of battery, hybrid

and fuel cell electric drive technologies

and supporting infrastructure. EDTA

serves as the central source of

information on all of the technical,

market and policy issues surrounding

the emergence of electric drive, and

serves as the representative of the

Americas to the World Electric Vehicle

Association (WEVA). For more

information about EDTA, visit

www.electricdrive.org or call

202.408.0774.

Contact: Jennifer Watts at 202-408-

0774 or jwatts@electricdrive.org ■

EDTA Applauds Electric Drive

Success at North American

International Auto Show
VehicleViews

7

EDTA Announces Electric Drive 

Transportation Association Conference 2004

The Electric Drive Transportation Association

Conference & Exposition 2004: Mobilizing the

Market will be held from September 21-23, 2004 in

Orlando, Florida. The conference will provide a

comprehensive and hands-on forum for information

exchange, business venture development, and market

forecasting and sales — and will feature electric drive

industry experts, policy leaders and academia from around

the globe. All symposium, exposition, Ride ‘n’ Drive, and

networking events will take place at the inclusive Gaylord

Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando.

EDTA’s conference series has established itself as the

premier showcase for emerging electric transportation

technologies and related infrastructure. The 2004 event

will include plenary sessions featuring key government

officials and industry leaders from around the world.

Concurrent “track sessions” will feature panel

discussions devoted to three primary topics: policy,

marketing and market development, and technology. Indepth coverage of electric transportation (battery, hybrid

and fuel cell), as well as a series of pre-conference

workshops, will provide an educational opportunity

unavailable at any other industry event in 2004. Other key

elements include an exposition showcasing

new and emerging battery, hybrid and fuel cell

products, and a vehicle “Ride’n’Drive” of

electric drive cars, bikes, scooters and offroad vehicles. 

“The EDTA Conference 2004 agenda and

activities reflect the growth and change taking

place in this exciting industry,” stated Ed

LaRocque, National Manager of Advanced

Technology Vehicles for Toyota Motor Sales,

USA and EDTA Conferences Committee

Chairman. “This conference provides a

showcase for all electric drive technologiesbattery, hybrid and fuel cell- and

demonstrates how industry is ‘mobilizing the

market’ for widespread use of electric drive.”

The Gaylord Palms has the largest in-hotel exposition

facility in Florida, featuring 400,000 square feet of available

meeting, convention and exhibit space. The resort is

conveniently located just minutes from Walt Disney

World®, SeaWorld Adventure Park®, and Universal

Studios®. The amenities and location ensures that EDTA

Conference attendees can plan to enjoy their time outside

of a busy conference agenda.

For more information about the EDTA Conference, visit

www.edtaconference.com or call EDTA at 202-408-0774.

EDTA is the industry association working to advance

electric vehicles and supporting infrastructure through

policy, information and communication initiatives in the

United States. EDTA is the premier organizer of electric

transportation industry events and conferences, and EDTA

is pleased to sponsor all international Electric Vehicle

Symposia (EVS) held in the Americas, as well as the Electric

Transportation Industry Conference series. For more

information on EDTA, visit www.electricdrive.org.

Contact: Jennifer Watts at 202-408-0774. ■

The MercedesVision Grand Sports Tourer points the way to the future with its

power plant, a newly developed 234 kW diesel hybrid engine. 
VehicleViews

8

Since our last issue of our

newsletter we have been

very busy out here on the

West Coast. Our Seven (7) West

Coast Chapters continue to hold

quarterly local FedFleet meetings

and we continue to see increases in

our memberships. Which means

more partnerships being formed

between chapter

membership/attendees, public and

private. As a result more fleet

management information is shared

among and between both the public

and private sectors. Such as, it is

very rewarding to hear how one

fleet manager has shared

information and/or assisted another

fleet manager from a different

organization by filling a short-term

vehicle need.

We continue to share and discuss

information received from the

National FedFleet and encourage

everyone to participate and share

their experiences regarding fleet

operational issues. Bringing real

world experiences to the processes

of present and future fleet policy

decisions will result in more userfriendly fleet policies for all

organizations. We continue to

receive positive comments

regarding the automated version

distribution of the quarterly Vehicle

Views Newsletter vs our old

method of distribution of hard

copies. 

Like lots of other federal fleet

personnel, many of us at the local

level are beginning to get a little

excited and we are very much

looking forward to attending the

next National FedFleet

Conference 2004, July 20 – 22, in

New York City. 

We sign off this article, by stating

that we have already begun our

meditation, so, when we get there,

we will not have any problem, of

quickly getting into our “NEW

YORK STATE OF MIND.” ■

From the West Coast

By Nate Reed, West Coast Representative, 

Federal Vehicle Policy Division, Office of Governmentwide Policy,

U.S. General Services Administration
VehicleViews

9

Fiscal Year 2003 Federal

Fleet Report Published

The GSA Federal Vehicle Policy Division (MTV)

published the fiscal year 2003 Federal Fleet Report

on January 30, 2003. Because of automation

efforts at GSA, DOE and reporting Federal agencies, this

is the fastest that this report has been published in its 53-

year history. 

Because of detailed reporting of motor vehicle data by all

Federal agencies, it has often been difficult to collect all

required data and manipulate it into a report format in a

timely manner. The automation of the reporting function

into the Internet-based Federal Automotive Statistical

Tool (FAST) deserves most of the credit for achieving the

4-month delivery time this year. FAST is a joint venture by

the General Services Administration, the Department of

Energy, and the Energy Information Agency that combined

multiple manual reporting requirements into one

automated system. The FAST system is capable of

collecting data either at the headquarters level or at the

vehicle user level, or any combination in between. Federal

agencies enter data directly into an Internet database that

is used to produce the Fleet Report and several reports for

the Department of Energy.

There were many changes to the FAST this past year,

including the addition of geographic location data,

incorporation of Office of Management and Budget vehicle

reporting requirements, and the incorporation of a bulk

data upload tool. Additionally, many more agencies are

using automated management information systems to

manage and track vehicle data. With these changes

comes increased data accuracy, and sometimes, it

produces interesting perturbations of the data. As an

example, although the size of the fleet increased, we

believe that the higher numbers reflect better accounting

of vehicle assets and new agency reports rather than an

actual increase in the total number of vehicles operated by

the Government. One very positive effect of the changes

this year is that agencies reported vehicle location data

for over 95% of domestic motor vehicles.

Data highlights for fiscal year 2003 include:

• The number of Federal operated vehicles rose 3.5% to

599,800;

• 26% of the fleet is Postal Service, 35% are civilian

agencies, and 29% is military;

• 69% of the fleet is agency-owned, 29% are GSA Fleet

lease vehicles, and 2% is commercially-leased;

• There was a decrease in miles to 4.84 billion;

• There was a 5% increase in total fuel consumption; and

• There was a 9.3% increase in total cost of operation.

Changes coming up for fiscal year 2004 include:

• Completion of the OMB A-11 Exhibit 33 reporting

process;

• Additional reporting and data retrieval tools for

agencies;

• Refinement of bulk data upload capabilities;

• Streamlining the data validation process;

• Reorganizations based upon changed agency

structures;

• Refinement of classifications pertaining to special

purpose vehicles and SUVs; 

• A statistical reporting module for vehicle inventories;

and

• Meeting with all agencies during 2004 to discuss their

fleet statistics and explore the feasibility of collecting

data on vehicle model year and replacement

requirements.

Copies of the 2003 Federal Fleet Report are available at

MTV’s Internet Website at www.gsa.gov/vehiclepolicy.

Please contact Michael Moses (GSA FAST Project

Manager) at (202) 501-2507 or at email

mike.moses@gsa.gov if you have any questions or

suggestions regarding FAST or the Federal Fleet Report. ■
VehicleViews

10

MTV Keeps Growing

Please join us in welcoming two new

MTV associates, Krista Freer and

Myles Schulberg.

Krista M. Freer is a new member of the Federal Vehicle

Policy Division (MTV) at GSA. She is a Transportation

Operations Specialist and will be concentrating her work

on the annual FedFleet conferences.

Krista Freer was previously a Meeting Planner with IQ

Solutions, Inc. IQ Solutions, Inc is a government

contractor focusing on contract-based initiatives in

healthcare. While at IQ, Krista worked on the National

Health Service Corps (NHSC) Scholarship Program

contract. The NHSC is a program designated to placing

students pursuing a degree in healthcare in health

professional shortage areas. While working with the

National Health Service Corps, she coordinated all

logistical aspects of the interview process for the program,

including recruitment of interviewers, training, travel

arrangements, site selection, and on-site duties for staff.

Krista has also worked for the Nursing Scholarship

Program contract through the Department of Health and

Human Services, Health Resources and Services

Administration.

Krista is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a

degree in Marketing and Logistics. At the University of

Maryland, Krista was a College Park Scholar of the Arts, a

member of the American Marketing Association and the

Logistics, Transportation and Supply Chain Management

Society.

Krista has also worked at several internships with NIH and

the Air Force Medical Logistics Office at Fort Detrick, MD.

Myles O. Schulberg is the newest member of the Federal

Vehicle Policy Division (MTV) at GSA. He is a

Transportation Operations Specialist.

Myles comes to GSA from the U.S. Immigration and

Customs Enforcement Bureau (formerly Immigration and

Naturalization Service) Headquarters where over the

course of seventeen years he held several supervisory

positions: Fleet Manager; Chief, Logistics Policy, Planning,

and Evaluation Branch; and Deputy Logistics Division

Director. He has had policy and procedural as well as

operational responsibility for the programs of fleet

management, personal property management,

printing/copier management, transit

subsidy/parking/executive transportation, mail

management, support services, competitive sourcing,

physical security, voice communications, and safety and

health.

Other prior positions Myles has held have included seven

years as a Supervisory Management Analyst at the U.S.

Mint Headquarters where he had policy and procedural as

well as operational responsibility for a number of

administrative programs; six years as a Management

Analyst at U.S. Customs Service Headquarters conducting

and leading studies of agency programs to improve

efficiency, economy, and effectiveness; and three years in

an operational position at Customs’ New York City District

Office.

Myles’ undergraduate and graduate studies were at

Herbert H. Lehman College and Pace University Graduate

School respectively. He holds a Certified Professional

Property Manager (CPPM) certification from the National

Property Management Association. ■
VehicleViews

11

While scouting snow

machine training areas in

the Naryn Oblast,

southeast of the Kyrgyz Republic on

March 14, 2004, information was

received that a group of Americans

had been trapped in deep snow for

two days in the Arpo Valley. The

scout team consisted of Export

Control and Border Security (EXBS)

program advisor Barry Johnson and

Senior Patrol Agents (SPAs) James

E. Bunner Jr. and Raymond M.

Overholt. The information received

was categorized as life threatening

and required immediate action.

SPAs Bunner and Overholt identified

critical equipment and supplies

necessary for the rescue, assembled

an impromptu Search and Rescue

Team (SRT) and departed within

minutes. After traveling three hours

towards the site, the SRT

encountered the Ak-Beet Pass, just

before Arpo Valley, blocked by deep

snow and stuck trucks. SPAs Bunner

and Overholt immediately unloaded

the snow machines, prepared them

and drove over the pass to the Border

Guard Base at Masatyr. Utilizing

diplomatic skills, they convinced the

hostile and skeptical guards to allow

them to pass into the valley. Night

and incredibly difficult conditions

prevented the team from continuing

the search and the SRT returned to

Naryn.

On March 15, the SRT departed

before dawn for the valley. Once

again the team could not breach AkBeet Pass and had to travel over the

pass, leaving the support component

of the SRT on the other side. SPAs

Bunner and Overholt, utilizing their

vast search and rescue experience

and knowledge, systematically began

the search of the Arpo Valley, which

measures approximately 60km by 30

km. Immediately determining that

the map position given by the hunter

camp office in Naryn was inaccurate,

the Border Patrol Agents used every

search and rescue technique to

locate the stranded hunters within

three hours, an outstanding feat in

this remote area along the Chinese

border; so vast and desolate.

Conditions during the search made it

impossible to judge depth perception,

and the danger of driving off a cliff or

into a ravine heightened the

physically demanding search, as did

the 6-foot deep snow and prevalent

drifts. Seeing from afar that the

hunters were placed aboard an

arriving Kyrgyz helicopter, the SRT

returned to Naryn to prepare for

training. Almost back to Naryn, the

team discovered that the helicopter

had crashed. Gathering resources

and equipment, SPAs Bunner and

Overholt quickly transformed the

search and rescue operation to

search and rescue operation with

medical and evacuation emphasis.

With only a short rest, the SRT

departed once again well before

dawn on March 16 for the four-hour

trip to Arpo Valley. Arriving at the

pass at 8:00 a.m., this time it was

traversable, the team reached the

base at Masatyr and set up a

command post. SPAs Bunner and

Overholt immediately set off on the

search based on partial GPS

coordinates. Utilizing the best

search and rescue techniques on the

planet, the Border Patrol Agents

located the crash site within two

hours by identifying tracks in the

snow of two people trying to walk out

in the deep snow and tracking them

back to the helicopter, a phenomenal

accomplishment.

The helicopter had impacted on a

decreasing slope, and had rolled 4-5

times, ejecting several occupants.

Upon arriving to the site, the SRT

found people scattered for hundreds

of yards. Because of the vast EMT

and Search and Rescue experience of

these specialists, they were quickly

able to perform triage, administer

first aid, and identify an initial order

of evacuation. They encouraged the

injured and significantly raised

morale among the casualties. Not

one of the 24 people at the site was

uninjured. Two had perished on

impact, at least seven had lifeContinued on page 12

Meritorious and Valorous 

Service Recognition to Senior Patrol Agents

James E. Bunner Jr. (Spokane Sector, Whitefish Montana Station, Snow Mobile

Trainer) and Raymond M. Overholt (Tucson Sector, Nogales Station, BORSTAR)

while detailed to the Kyrgyz Republic from 13 - 28 March, 2004.
VehicleViews

12

threatening injuries and almost all had broken bones and

head injuries.

At around 11:00 a.m. on March 16, SPAs Bunner and

Overholt began transporting the injured by towing them on

sleds 20km to the Border Guard Base at Masatyr. The trip

took over an hour with the injured. Due to limited visibility

and the condition of the snow, the task of hauling injured,

sometimes two at a time, was physically exhausting. The

return trip was only slightly faster, as water, blankets,

food, and eventually more medics, tents and wood were

hauled to the crash site.

At approximately 8:00 p.m., the 11th injured was brought

out, reaching the half waypoint. Although the night

initially brought clearer weather, the temperature dropped

significantly. Later in the early morning hours, a

snowstorm set in blocking the trail with drifts and blinding

the snow machine drivers. On through the night they

drove, caring for each patient, ensuring all medical care

possible was provided, then transporting them out of the

site. Never once did SPAs Bunner and Overholt stop to

rest or eat. The last injured was brought out at 5:30 a.m. on

March 17. The Border Patrol Agents rested for an hour,

and then returned to the site to evacuate the bodies of the

deceased, the medics and other equipment. At

approximately 12:00 p.m. operation concluded and the SRT

returned to Naryn.

Professionals through and through, SPAs Bunner and

Overholt began the delayed training the very next day, and

have executed it flawlessly.

The actions of United States Border Patrol Agents James

E. Bunner Jr. and Raymond M. Overholt saved lives and

their ability to locate the crash site saved all 22 lives at the

site because the Kyrgyz were unable to launch a recovery

operation 20km in deep snow, nor put a helicopter into the

air to reach the site for at least 9 days, meaning all would

have perished. These men are national heroes. These

actions reflect great credit upon themselves, their

characters, and the United States Border Patrol. ■

Michael Moses attends National 

Association of Fleet Administrators Events 

Michael Moses of the Federal

Vehicle Policy Division

(MTV) attended five days of

NAFA sponsored events in San

Diego, CA from February 19-24, 2004.

Besides attending a NAFA working

group meeting on February 19th in

conjunction with his participation in

the development of the NAFA Fleet

Acquisition and Disposal Guide,

Mike also attended a 2-day NAFA

Board of Governors meeting as part

of his duties as the Chair of the local

NAFA Chapter. Many issues were

discussed concerning fleet

management that the Division is

involved in, including alternative

fuels, management systems, NAFA

resources to members, and the

NAFA Fleet Manager Certification

Program. 

On February 22nd through February

24th, Mike attended a NAFA Fleet

Seminar. The course covered virtually

all topics associated with effective

fleet management, and also covered

recent industry changes in the areas

of regulatory updates, IRS rules on

vehicle use, life cycle costing, safety

and liability issues, and new

automotive technology. This would be

an excellent class for anyone in the

fleet management field, or those that

supervise fleet management

activities. The Seminar was attended

by fleet professionals from the

private sector, State/local governments, and Federal agencies. ■

MERITORIOUS from page 11
VehicleViews

13

Recently, GSA Automotive has

awarded two contracts for vans

equipped to transport persons

with physical disabilities. These vans will

provide wheelchair lifts and wheelchair

tie-downs with various optional seating

configurations. The vans include General

Motors and Ford chassis’ that meet all

the specifications set forth under the

Federal Vehicle Standards for full sized,

wagon vans, Standard Item 24. The new

GSA Automotive contractors for these

vans are Main Mobility, Inc. (General

Motors chassis) and Accubuilt, Inc. (Ford

chassis). 

Orders for these vans should be

submitted to GSA Automotive’s Light

Vehicles Division. Time of shipment after

receipt of order by contractor is 150 days.

For more information, including seating

configurations and available optional

equipment, please contact Dallas Brewer

on (703) 308-0823 or

dallas.brewer@gsa.gov.

In addition to these new transport vans,

all of our buses on AutoChoice, GSA

Automotive’s online ordering system,

have the ability to be configured to

accommodate persons with physical

disabilities, optional equipment includes

wheelchair lifts and multiple wheelchair

tie-down positions. For pricing and

option information on buses under

contract, check www.autochoice.gsa.gov. 

If you have any questions or require

assistance, please call GSA

Automotive’s Customer CARE,

Marketing and Systems Division at (703)

308-CARS (2277). ■

GSA Automotive New Awards

Transport Vans to Accommodate 

Individuals with Physical Disabilities
VehicleViews

14
15

on the GREENfront

Ford Ends Natural Gas Vehicle Program,

Concentrates on Hybrids 

Provided by New Fuels & Vehicles Online

Ford Motor Co. is going to drop

production of all its natural gas

vehicles, sources familiar with

the decision tells Inside Fuels and

Vehicles. The company will also be

discontinuing the production of its

propane gas vehicles after the 2004

model year. 

The move away from the clean

burning technology by a Big Three

manufacturer will be a blow to

Federal and state fleets struggling to

meet alternative fuel vehicle

purchasing requirements, as well as

regions that see the vehicles as a

component to meeting federal air

quality standards.

A source with Ford confirmed the

company is phasing out natural gas

vehicles in favor of gasoline/electric

hybrid technology.

"We have shifted our emphasis from

EV [battery-electric vehicles] and

natural gas [vehicles] to hybrids," the

source asserted. Ford will begin

selling a hybrid-electric version of the

Escape mid-sized sport utility vehicle

in late summer. The official added the

company is also moving forward with

internal combustion hydrogen

development programs, which uses a

similar technology as its natural gas

vehicles. Internal combustion,

hydrogen-fueled vehicles would be

even cleaner burning than natural

gas vehicles.

Another Ford official

confirmed that the natural

gas powered version of

several models would be

dropped from the company's

product lineup. They include

the Ford Excursion and

Expedition large SUVs. In

addition to the two large

SUVs, Ford also produces

natural gas version of the

best selling pickup truck, the

F-150, and a large passenger

van.

Natural gas-fueled vehicles

emit substantially fewer

harmful emissions than

gasoline or diesel-fueled

vehicles. The Federal government and

energy providers buy them to meet

federal requirements that 75 percent

of new fleet purchases be alternative

fuel vehicles.

While this announcement is

significant for the AFV industry it is

important to consider that there are

other options. General Motors has

natural gas vans and pickups and is

in a position to fill in behind Ford.

Also, the NGV up-fitter, Bachman

NGV, is already working on a natural

gas Crown Victoria. The emergence

of Bachman immediately following

Ford’s announcement to discontinue

the Crown Victoria sedan is an

indication that there are viable

markets for NGV industry suppliers

and it is likely that in addition to

Bachman, others would see this as

an opportunity. 

Up-fitters of GM products are

assessing the situation and may

enter the market.

The State of California is interested

in petroleum displacement from

NGV’s and could increase its role in

supporting the industry. Ford’s move

towards Hydrogen internal

combustion products is a positive

indicator for the AFV industry.

Existing CNG stations are an

appropriate "base infrastructure" for

compressed Hydrogen fueling. ■

Ford says its hybrid system allows the compact SUV

to get 35 to 40 miles per gallon in city driving,

compared with 20 miles per gallon in a 2005 Escape

with a V6 engine. The Escape hybrid, to be built at

Ford’s plant in Claycomo, Mo., goes on sale this

summer.
VehicleViews

16

GM and National Ethanol Vehicle 

Coalition Partner to Advance the Use of E85

Campaign Aimed at Increasing Use of Alternative Fuel

Provided by the National Ethanol Vehicle Coalition

General Motors Corp. and the

National Ethanol Vehicle

Coalition (NEVC) announced

today a new public awareness

campaign aimed at increasing the

use of E85. E85 is a mixture of 85

percent ethanol and 15 percent

gasoline and can be used in flexible

fuel vehicles (FFV) designed to use

either E85 or gasoline. GM has

produced more than 1 million of the 3

million flexible fuel vehicles on the

road today capable of using E85.

The campaign is part of a two-year

partnership between the nonprofit

(NEVC) and GM. Last year the two

joined forces to raise awareness of

the benefits of E85 at events in

Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and

Missouri. The campaign included an

“I Fuel Good” direct mail campaign

that provided owners of GM flexible

fuel vehicles with debit cards to be

used toward the purchase of E85. 

“We saw substantial use of the cards

for E85 fuel in the markets we

targeted, more than 20 percent in

some areas,” said Phil Lampert,

executive director of the NEVC. “We

hope to have a similar impact as we

broaden our campaign to more cities

and even more FFV owners.”

The ethanol promotion effort,

announced at a preview reception for

the Commodity Classic, will take

place during the next 10 months. It

will include a variety of elements,

including an effort to educate GM

FFV owners and dealership

employees on the benefits of E85 and

numerous awareness events in

targeted cities. 

“E85 is just beginning to become

available in many areas, and we want

owners of E85-capable GM vehicles

to know the benefits of using this

alternative fuel,” said Gary Herwick,

director of alternative fuels for

General Motors. “Working together

with the NEVC, we can make a

difference by educating and

encouraging industry and consumers

to do their part by continuing to

develop the E85 infrastructure, and

by using E85 in their GM flexible fuel

vehicles whenever possible.” 

“The number of ethanol fueling

stations is limited but growing. That,

along with this program, will help

increase the use of E85, which will

benefit the environment and help

enhance the nation’s energy

security,” added Lampert. 

Ethanol is alcohol that is currently

made from domestically produced

corn; it delivers performance similar

to regular gasoline. Throughout the

past five years, the demand for E85

has increased ten-fold to about 10

million gallons a year. 

In the future, production of ethanol

could come from bio-mass such as

corn and wheat stalks, forestry waste

and municipal waste. Ethanol is a

clean, domestically produced

alternative fuel that does not deplete

petroleum energy supplies because it

is made from renewable resources. 

Many 2005 model year GM vehicles

equipped with the Vortec 5300 engine

will be available with E85-

capabilities, including the Chevrolet

Avalanche, Suburban and GMC

Yukon XL, Chevrolet Silverado and

GMC Sierra full size pickups and the

Chevrolet Tahoe police pursuit

vehicle. 

“These vehicles are just an example

of an entire range of technologies we

have developed to eventually remove

the automobile from the

environmental debate,” said

Elizabeth Lowery, GM’s vice

president for environment and

energy. “In the long term, our goal is

to replace the internal combustion

engine entirely with a hydrogen

powered fuel cell, but until such time

that the technology is commercially

viable, we are working to improve

fuel efficiency on a variety of fronts.” 

The National Ethanol Vehicle

Coalition is the nation’s primary

advocate dedicated to the use of 85

percent ethanol as a form of

Continued on page 17
VehicleViews

17

alternative transportation fuel. It is a

coalition of corn growers, ethanol

producers and auto manufacturers

based in Jefferson City, Missouri. For

more information, visit

www.e85fuel.com. 

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM),

the world's largest vehicle

manufacturer, employs about 325,000

people globally. Founded in 1908, GM

has been the global automotive sales

leader since 1931. GM today has

manufacturing operations in 32

countries and its vehicles are sold in

192 countries. In 2003, GM sold nearly

8.6 million cars and trucks, about 15

percent of the global vehicle market.

GM's global headquarters is at the

GM Renaissance Center in Detroit.

More information on GM and its

products can be found on the

company's consumer website at

www.gm.com.

Contacts: Joanne Krell, Jim Parks,

and Michelle Kautz

GM Communications Hass/MSL

NEVC 313-665-2443 248-458-8675

573-635-8445

Joanne.k.krell@gm.com

jim.parks@hassmsl.com

mkautz@e85fuel.com ■

Oklahoma Governor Henry

Announces Improved Access of

Alternative Fuel for State Vehicles

Governor (Gov.) Brad Henry is

urging state agencies to take

advantage of a new

Oklahoma City fueling station for

Ethanol 85, also known as E85, an

environmentally friendly blend of 85-

percent ethanol and 15-percent

gasoline. A clean-burning fuel. E85 is

biodegradable.

The station, which is operated by the

state Department of Central

Services (DCS), boasts an E85 pump

dedicated for state-owned flexible

fuel vehicles (FFVs) that can run on

E85 or gasoline, or both. DCS alone

owns 349 FFVs as part of a Federal

mandate that state governments

ensure that a certain percentage of

their motor fleets be able to operate

on alternative fuels.

Under state law, any state-owned

vehicle that can operate on

alternative fuel must do so if such a

filling station is located within a fivemile radius of the respective state

entity.

Increased use of E85 is also certain

to help Oklahoma’s agricultural

industry, as it is derived from corn

and a number of other feed grains.

Moreover, hull-less barley, which is

ideal for our state’s climate, is wellsuited for conversion to ethanol.

Gov. Henry commended DCS, which

administers the Alternative Fuels

Program in Oklahoma, for its role in

promoting and training technicians in

E85 repair.

“I want to thank the Department of

Central Services, the Corporation

Commission and Fuel Manager of

Oklahoma for their efforts in making

this a reality,” the Governor said.

“Use of E85 is beneficial to the

environment as well as to

Oklahoma’s agricultural industry. It is

a win-win situation all around.”

Funding for the E85 pump stems from

a $100,000 loan approved by the

Alternative Fuels Program to DCS’s

Fleet Management Division. ■

ETHANOL from page 16
18

AFVsuccess stories

Chances are, if you have used

a National Energy Technology

Laboratory’s (NETL)

government car in the last few

months for local travel or to drive

between sites, you have driven on

natural gas. Since operating on

natural gas “feels” no different than

driving on gasoline, you probably

didn’t notice. Even if you didn’t fuel

the vehicle with natural gas or put

the dashboard switch in the natural

gas position, you were probably still

driving economically and friendly to

the environment. That’s because our

property management group makes a

conscious effort to flip the switch

and refill with natural gas—before

you even get in the car.

To meet the requirements of the

Energy Policy Act (EPACT), NETL

has been working diligently to

increase the number of alternativefueled vehicles in the fleets. EPACT

requires, for federal and commercial

fleets with more than 100 cars, that

75% of all new acquisitions

(including leases) be alternativefueled vehicles. Rick Price, NETL’s

Property Management Officer, is

responsible for our fleet vehicles,

and he has been steadily replacing

our gasoline-fueled cars and trucks

with vehicles that operate on

compressed natural gas (CNG) or

other alternative fuels. NETL has

about 16 “bi-fueled” vehicles—bifueled because they operate on both

CNG and gasoline. When the natural

gas fuel is used up, the car

automatically switches to the tank

holding traditional gasoline. NETL

also has 7 dedicated CNG vehicles

that are primarily used on-site, and

about 8 “flexible-fueled” vehicles

that can run on ethanol instead of

gasoline. You have probably driven in

one of these alternative-fueled cars

or trucks if you have taken a ride in a

Ford Contour, Dodge Caravan, or

Ford Pickup. And more vehicles are

being added each year.

Some "model" employees fill these

cars with CNG when the cylinders

are empty, but most of us refill with

what we are most familiar ...

gasoline. If we are truly to be the

Strategic Center for Natural Gas

(SCNG), we need to do a better job

of using natural gas in these vehicles

whenever possible. Using natural

gas saves the government money

because natural gas is currently

about half the cost of gasoline on a

gallon-equivalent basis. Because it

is such a clean-burning fuel, natural

gas also reduces the amount of airborne pollution in our own backyard.

And displacing gasoline that is made

from foreign oil with domestic

natural gas helps to achieve energy

security for the country. 

But.... How do you refuel a natural

gas vehicle? Will it be too difficult or

inconvenient? Is the procedure the

same as refueling with gasoline?

Can you get CNG at the local gas

station? Should you be afraid of

running out of fuel if you use CNG?

Is using CNG safe?

I had all these same questions, so

recently I took a ride with Rick Price

in a bi-fueled Ford Contour. We were

driving on natural gas when we

started on our trip. The only sure way

to know which fuel the car is

operating on is to look at the

indicator switch on the dashboard.

When the switch is in the CNG

position and the green light is on, the

car is running on CNG. If the green

light is out, or the switch is in the

gasoline position, the car is using

fuel from the gasoline tank. 

The gas gauge showed that the CNG

cylinder was almost on empty, so we

headed to a public CNG station to

refuel. When we were a few miles

from the refueling station, the vehicle

ran out of natural gas and

automatically switched to gasoline.

The green light in the dashboard

switch turned off. I noticed a slight

hesitation, almost as if the car was

having a little trouble shifting into

gear, but otherwise the switch to

gasoline was almost undetectable.

The gas gauge then moved from

“empty” to “full” indicating that we

had plenty of gasoline in the vehicle. 

Continued on page 19

Natural Gas Fuels Department of Energy’s 

National Energy Technology Laboratory’s

Government Vehicles

By Julianne Klara
19

NATURAL GAS from page 18

VehicleViews

It’s important to note that when you

are driving in a bi-fueled vehicle, the

same gas gauge is used to tell you

the amount of fuel that is either in

the natural gas cylinder or the

gasoline tank. It just depends on the

position of the dashboard switch,

and whether the green light is lit. If

the gauge indicates “empty,” it may

mean that the vehicle is out of only

one of the fuels. You may still have a

full tank of gasoline if you were

running on CNG....or, if you were

running on gasoline, you may still

have a full cylinder of CNG.

The car automatically switches from

CNG to gasoline, but it cannot do the

opposite. If you are low on gasoline,

you can manually switch to CNG

using the dashboard switch, but you

have to turn the car off first.

Actually, you can switch between

fuels whenever you like as long as

you first stop the car and turn off its

motor. Once the car is turned on,

moving the position of the switch

does nothing. 

When we arrived at the public

natural gas refueling station, I

learned just how easy it is to refuel

with CNG. It is a little different, but

once you do it, it’s a piece of cake. Of

course, you must turn off the car

before refueling. It doesn’t matter

what position the dashboard switch

is in when you refuel, so I left the

switch on the CNG position. First, I

slid the card through the card reader

and entered the mileage (the same

thing you do when you refuel with

gasoline). Then I connected the

nozzle to the car’s CNG connector.

This is a little different that refueling

with gasoline since CNG is delivered

under high pressure, as a gas, and

requires a closed connection. All I

had to do was attach the nozzle to

the vehicle connection and close the

clasp. Then I pressed “start” on the

pump and the car refueled in about 2

minutes. You can see that at the

public refueling station, I paid 82

cents per equivalent gallon

compared to the $1.50 that I paid that

morning for gasoline in my personal

vehicle.

When you fill the car with CNG, you

have to use the correct credit card.

Most gasoline stations accept the

Voyager card for both gasoline and

CNG. However, CNG is often only

available at a dedicated natural gas

station that requires the use of the

gas utility’s own company card. The

two cards used in our area are the

Columbia gas card and the Equitable

gas card (called NGV). Both of

these cards, and the traditional

Voyager card, are in the motor pool

vehicles. Just identify which gas

company is supplying the fuel to

know which card to use. 

Where are these refueling stations?

Well, they really aren’t that far from

either of the sites. The two natural

gas refueling stations closest to the

Pittsburgh site are at Ginger Hill

(right off of route 136) and on Route

88 in Bethel Park. The Ginger Hill

site is an Equitable Gas public

station (it accepts the NGV card),

and the Route 88 site is a Columbia

Gas public station (it accepts the

Columbia card). In Morgantown, Joe

Moore’s Exxon Station on

Monongahela Boulevard and BFS

Foods on Fairmont Road in Westover

both have natural gas, and both

accept the Voyager card. If you are

traveling farther, you can check the

alternative fuels web site at

www.fleets.doe.gov, which lists

refueling/recharging stations all

throughout the United States. 

The Pittsburgh site also has two

natural gas slow-fill units on-site

down at the 900 lower complex. It

takes about 8 hours to refill using

these “fuelmakers,” so the vehicles

are usually hooked up over night.

NETL is investigating the option of

putting a quick-fill unit in at one or

both sites, especially as we steadily

increase the number of natural gas

fueled vehicles in the motor pool.

Some of you may worry that natural

gas will not provide enough vehicle

range. However, most of the bifueled vehicles in our motor pool

have a range of 100–150 miles on

CNG, which is usually enough to

make a round trip between the sites.

But you really shouldn’t let this be a

concern as long as the gasoline tank

is full. It will provide the backup fuel

in case the trip cannot be completed

on CNG. 

Some people are leery of the CNG

cylinder because they think it is not

safe. To the contrary, I have seen

videos where even bullets could not

penetrate the cylinder. Additionally,

each vehicle is equipped with a

manual shut-off valve if for any

reason you need to stop the flow of

CNG. CNG is no more dangerous

than the tank of gasoline that sits

under your car. In fact, with all the

safeguards, CNG may actually be a

safer fuel for vehicle use.

So next time you take a government

vehicle, check to see if you are

running on natural gas (the fuel

indicator switch will be turned on

Continued on page 20
VehicleViews

20

and the green light will be lit). If you

aren’t, and the tank is empty, don’t be

afraid to fuel it. It isn’t hard and the

refueling stations are only a few

extra minutes out of the way. If you

would like a demonstration on

refueling with natural gas, just call

the property management group. This

group is also in the process of

developing a CNG refueling

procedure that will be posted on the

intranet and made available in all

alternative-fueled vehicles for

reference while refueling.

If, as the SCNG, we want to push

natural gas a clean fuel for the

future, we need to “walk the walk.”

We all need to do a better job of

opting to refuel and drive on natural

gas. Why not run these vehicles first

on CNG, and let the vehicles switch

to gasoline on their own when the

natural gas is gone? This way, we

get the maximum benefits...cleaner

air, cheaper fuel, and less

dependence on imported oil. So try

it next time...not only to save

taxpayer dollars, but to make our

environment cleaner, and our

country’s energy future more

secure....for our kids and grandkids.

■

Both the Columbia and Equitable gas

cards, and the traditional Voyager card,

are in the motor pool vehicles. Just

identify which gas company is supplying

the fuel to know which card to use.

You can see that at the public refueling

station, I paid 82 cents per equivalent

gallon compared to the $1.50 I pad that

morning for gasoline in my personal

vehicle.

The only sure way to know which fuel the

car is operating on is to look at the

indicator switch on the dashboard. When

the switch is in the CNG position and the

green light is on, the car is running on

CNG. If the green light is out, or the

switch is in the gasoline position, the car

is using fuel from the gasoline tank.

It doesn’t matter what position the

dashboard switch is in when you refuel,

so I left the switch on the CNG position. 

I slid the card through the card reader and

entered the mileage—the same thing you

do when you refuel with gasoline.

Then I connected the nozzle to the car’s

CNG connector. This is a little different

than refueling with gasoline since CNG is

delivered under high pressure, as a gas,

and requires a closed connection.

All I had to do was attach the nozzle to

the vehicle connection and close the

clasp. Then I pressed “start” on the pump

an the car refueled in about 2 minutes.

1

2

3

4

5

6

NATURAL GAS from page 19
VehicleViews

21

U.S. Marine Corps Honored 

for Energy Management, Alternative Fuels

Awillingness to take risks isn’t always considered a

core value by managers of government assets. But

the winners of one federal award for alternative

fuel use last year attributed their success in part to

“educated risk-taking.”

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) was named as one of

several recipients of the Federal Energy and Water

Management Awards for 2003. Presented

annually by the Federal Energy

Management Program of the U.S.

Department of Energy (DOE), the

awards recognize individuals and

organizations for significant

contributions to the efficient use of

energy and water in the federal

government. 

Cited specifically was the

leadership of Lieutenant General

Richard Kelly. Based at USMC

headquarters in Quantico, Virginia,

Kelly is responsible for worldwide

logistics and installations in the Marines.

A key component of energy management in the

USMC, under Kelly’s leadership, has been the use of

alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) and alterative fuels. As a

federal fleet operator, the USMC is regulated by the

Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct), which mandates

alternative AFV acquisition in specific proportions; and by

Executive Order 13149, which requires a 20 percent

reduction in petroleum fuel use by federal fleets by 2005,

using 1999 as a baseline.

As reported to FAST, the Federal Automotive Statistical

Tool, the USMC estimates that by 2002 it had already

reduced petroleum consumption by more than 24 percent,

meeting its mandate three years ahead of schedule. In

complying with EPAct, the Marines exceeded their FY02

mandate for AFV acquisition by 82 percent, earning 862

credits when only 473 were required. With its considerable

success already, the Marine Corps is confident it will meet

or exceed the requirements in both FY04 and FY05.

Of its 862 credits accumulated in FY02, the Marine Corps

earned 129 of them by using biodiesel fuel. (EPAct was

amended in 1998 to award one AFV credit for

every 450 gallons of pure biodiesel used.)

B20 biodiesel, which is 20 percent

biodiesel and 80 percent diesel, is

used in most commercial, nontactical vehicles in the Marine

Corps. Many such vehicles are not

owned by the Marines, but leased

from the U.S. General Services

Administration. The Marines

have promised to pay for any

maintenance problems that may

result from using biodiesel. So far,

no such problems have occurred.

Top-down innovation

The Marines’ fleet of AFVs is a diverse

mix. Approximately 800 CNG vehicles are in

service, mostly in areas where natural gas

fueling is widely available, including California. Aboveground E85 tanks are being installed at several Marine

bases including one at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina,

which received a $25,000 grant for that purpose from the

U.S. Department of Defense. To help sustain its

petroleum-reduction success, the Marine Corps deploys

hybrid electric vehicles at locations where high-mileage

travel is more common.

“The Marine Corps’ leadership supports taking educated

risk,” says USMC Program Management Analyst Ed

Wilkins. “These accomplishments are only achieved when

Continued on page 22
leadership from top down is willing to encourage

innovative ideas and welcome change.” 

A case in point was the path that led to the USMC’s

current heavy concentration of neighborhood electric

vehicles (NEVs). It started small, with a few such vehicles

tested at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, in Arizona.

Users questioned whether the very small, light vehicles

would satisfy their needs as well as petroleum-powered

cars and trucks. “Almost everyone had an argument about

why they wouldn’t work,” says Wilkins.

NEVs proved superior in many applications. On a rifle

range, for example, they’re easier to maneuver and less

likely to tear up the terrain. The Marines began finding

new ways to exploit their inherent efficiency, using NEVs

for transportation and light hauling. The word spread to all

commands, and NEVs replaced many gasoline vehicles. In

2002, the Marines added 115 NEVs of various models at

five installations in California alone. The Marine Corps

fleet now has more than 300 such vehicles at U.S.

locations. 

Leading the way in NEV use is the Marine Corp Recruit

Depot in San Diego, where more than 85 percent of all

vehicles are either AFVs or NEVs. Under EPAct, NEVs are

not considered alternative fuel vehicles and therefore

don’t help regulated fleets to meet their acquisition

mandates. But in fleets in which they are widely heavily

used, as in the Marines, they help displace thousands of

gallons of petroleum per year. 

San Diego is one of two southern California locations

where the Marines plan to install publicly accessible

hydrogen fueling. The other is its base at Camp Pendleton.

Deploying hydrogen is relatively difficult and expensive,

Wilkins notes. “You have to overcome the fears

associated with using it in automotive applications.” The

plans are not without risk, but the burdens will be shared.

The Marines have partnered in the project with the U.S.

Army’s Tank Automotive Command and the U.S. Navy

National Automotive Center. Commercial automakers will

help establish the fueling infrastructure and bring

hydrogen vehicles to the bases for testing.

“This is proving to be a real education for all of us,

working out the site locations and meeting all the

permitting requirements,” says Wilkins. “We’re educating

ourselves as well as the public, and we believe the

benefits will be worth the cost.”

All winners of Federal Energy and Water Management

Awards for 2003 are profiled at

www.eere.energy.gov/femp/prodtech/awards/winners03.ht

ml. For more information on EPAct, visit

www.eere.energy.gov/vehiclesandfuels/epact. ■

22

VehicleViews

MARINE CORPS from page 21

GSA recycles!
the SAFETYzone

23

U.S. Senator Mike DeWine

(OH-R) thinks illegal traffic

signal preemption devices

pose a danger to emergency

responders and the driving public.

He’s right. That is why DeWine, a

leader for highway safety and a friend

of the fire service in the Senate

submitted S.1825, the Safe

Intersection Act of 2003. The bill seeks

to prevent tragedies in an already

dangerous environment for first

responders, America’s streets and

highways. 

S.1825 is Co-sponsored by Senator

Diane Feinstein (CA-D) another

strong supporter of fire service

issues. The legislation makes owning

or selling a device that controls traffic

signals by or to unauthorized persons

a misdemeanor with a penalty not to

exceed a $10,000 fine and/or six

months in jail. “As public access to

mobile ... transmitters increases, we

must act now to ensure the safety of

those who travel our roads,” said

Senator DeWine. “My Safe

Intersections Act will institute

penalties in order to curb

unauthorized sale and use of this

technology originally intended for first

responders.” 

Controllers for preemption devices

are routinely appearing in auctions on

the internet. Ads often include a

disclaimer that they are only for sale

to authorized users. Senate staffers

investigating the issue have

discovered that upon calling the

sellers they are instructed how to

purchase the units and are not

questioned if they are public safety or

transportation department officials

that have reason to purchase them.

However not all sellers list

stipulations. One ad on an internet

auction site pitched sales with the

following: “It’s every motorist’s

fantasy to be able to make a red traffic

light turn green without so much as

easing of the accelerator.” 

Preemption devices for traffic signals

have proliferated in the past several

years. Recently technology has been

developed to mass produce rogue

control devices that are finding their

way into personal vehicles. Traffic

control preemption devices are not

universally embraced by all of public

safety or highway managers because

of differing opinions on their

usefulness and safety. The devices

usually receive passing grades from

fire departments that utilize them to

take control of intersections while

responding. One issue authorized

users do agree upon is that a

controller in the hands of the motoring

public is an accident waiting to

happen. 

Only Michigan currently has a law

specifying who may purchase and use

these devices. Senator DeWine’s

legislation would ban unauthorized

use anywhere in the country. The

Senator wisely has chosen to let state

or local governments decide who the

authorized users should be in their

jurisdiction avoiding a “Washington

knows better” directive in the bill. 

Rogue preemption devices are a real

threat to emergency personnel who

are already at risk while responding,

especially at intersections. Fire

service leadership is considering how

these accidents can be reduced. Plans

that call for changing apparatus

design, more training and tougher

standards for apparatus operators are

under study. The misuse of traffic

controllers adds dangerous dimension

to an already serious problem. 

Public safety officials fear the worst if

preemption control devices gets in the

hands of unauthorized users. Imagine

a bank robber fleeing the scene. An

aggressive driver who has the ability

to control traffic lights might be a fire

department’s worst nightmare. So

could an irresponsible hazardous

material hauler or a car load of

teenagers out for a joy ride. 

The fire service isn’t alone in their

apprehension. Advocates for Highway

and Auto Safety (Advocates), an

alliance of consumer, health and

safety groups, and insurance

companies who has a history of

working with the fire service on

highway issues is also concerned.

“These devices in the hands of the

general public are dangerous. Use of

the technology should be reserved for

the rare instances when fire and

rescue personnel need them to

protect human lives, not to satisfy a

Congress Considers Ban 

on Rogue Traffic Preemption

Devices

By Steve Austin

Provided by The ResponderSafety Newsletter

Continued on page 24
VehicleViews

24

deadly whim that also breaks the law,”

said Judith Lee Stone, president of

Advocates. 

Major fire service groups working with

the Congressional Fire Services

Institute are looking at the issue and

are expected to offer support for

passage of the legislation. 

Meanwhile out on the street

firefighters are responding through

dangerous intersections thousands of

times a day. “Heavy traffic is one of

the greatest risks firefighters take is

when they are responding to an

emergency”, says Battalion Fire Chief

Billy Goldfedder, a 31 year veteran

Ohio firefighter and nationally

recognized firefighter safety

instructor. “Every single opportunity

must be given to firefighters so that

they can arrive safely... Unauthorized

preemption devices directly interfere

with a fire or emergency medical

response-and our ability to get there

safely in order to save a life”...It is

clear that congress can minimize the

risk for Americas Bravest with their

support of this act” he added. ■

Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today

announced that state officials are being asked to

begin enforcement of the new hours-of-service

rules starting today (March 4). The hours-of-service

regulations put safety limits on the number of hours

commercial drivers can work and operate trucks each day. 

Since Jan. 4, 2004, the Department’s Federal Motor Carrier

Safety Administration (FMCSA) and state officials have

led an aggressive educational enforcement program

designed to teach drivers about the new rules and ensure

flagrant violations were rigorously enforced. The effort

included the distribution of more than a million pieces of

literature, countless seminars with the trucking community,

and thousands of phone call responses to drivers’

questions. 

“We finally close the book on World War II-era rules that

were too restrictive of drive times and too tolerant of

dangerously long workdays,” said Secretary Mineta. “The

new rules will help drivers earn a good living without having

to put their lives on the line.”

The Department is encouraging state officials, who

conduct the majority of truck checks, to begin enforcement

of the hours-of-service rules following the 60-day

educational period as they would any other FMCSA safety

regulation. States are expected to begin enforcement as

soon as their inspectors are fully prepared, just as they

would with other road safety rules. 

“The steps we have taken to make sure drivers know about

the changes and follow them are paying dividends,” said

FMCSA Administrator Annette M. Sandberg. “Carriers

and drivers are learning about the new hours-of-service

rules and want to comply with the changes.”

The Department will continue to monitor feedback from the

nation’s truckers to decide what additional education is

needed, Secretary Mineta said. While initial feedback has

been focused on compliance, anecdotal reports show the

new hours-of-service rules are contributing to added

efficiency within the supply chain by encouraging shippers

to load cargo more quickly, Sandberg said.

The new rules represent the first major rewrite of the

hours-of-service regulations in over 60 years and attempt to

synchronize the drivers’ work and rest schedules with the

body’s circadian rhythm to reduce fatigue and save lives. It

is estimated the new rules will save 75 lives and prevent

6,900 crashes annually, saving the American economy $628

million a year. Visit www.fmcsa.dot.gov for information.

Contact: Dave Longo at (202) 366-0456. ■

CONGRESS from page 23

Enforcement of New Hours-of-Service Rules 

Begins Today; Truck Driver Education to Continue
VehicleViews

25

GSA plays it safe!

The Federal Motor Carrier

Safety Administration

(FMCSA) Office of Research

and Technology (R&T) recently held

its 4th Annual Forum titled FMCSA

Research & Technology: Synergy in

Partnerships in conjunction with the

Transportation Research Board’s 83rd

Annual Meeting. The Forum provided

insights from top-level speakers and

two sets of panelists on how to build

public-private partnerships that

involve government, academia and

industry working together toward

common transportation safety goals. 

Mr. John Hill, FMCSA’s Chief Safety

Officer, presented the opening

remarks to about 150 people in

attendance. He noted FMCSA’s

mission is to support the President’s

top transportation priorities of safety

and security by meeting its goal of

reducing commercial motor vehicle

crash fatalities on our nation’s

highways to 1.65 fatalities per 100

million miles of truck travel by 2008.

He stressed the importance of

government, industry, and

public/private partnerships as a way

to make our roads and commercial

vehicles safer and to keep commerce

and freight moving efficiently. 

In his keynote address, Acting

Administrator of the Research and

Special Programs Administration,

Sam Bonasso, gave his viewpoints

on what he called “a topic dear to my

heart”— public-private partnerships.

He said he learned the value of

public-private partnerships, early on,

from working in the private sector.

Mr. Bonasso noted that no single

research entity possesses all of the

required resources to meet all of its

strategic goals and that partnerships

are the critical key to expanding one’s

capabilities and resource pool,

including funding. 

Setting the stage for the two panel

discussions that followed, Brigham

McCown, FMCSA’s Chief Counsel

reviewed the formal arrangements

the government can have with third

parties such as procurement grants,

cooperative and grant agreements,

and the process that must be

followed to do so. He also talked

about ways the U.S. government can

partner with outside entities, where

the tasks to be performed by each

party are generally spelled out in a

Memorandum of Understanding. He

then reviewed the Standards of

Ethical Conduct that apply to Federal

employees and provided some

general rules for a government

agency to follow in forming these

types of third-party relationships.

The panel sessions began with

FMCSA subject matter experts on

Panel I covering the Commercial

Vehicle Information Systems

Network, Electronic On-Board

Recorders, CMV Medical

Qualifications and Testing, and the

National Commercial Vehicle

Roadside Testing Lab. A group of

diverse stakeholders representing

industry, academia, the medical

community, and trade associations

spoke on Panel II. They were: Greg

Larson, Chief, Office of Traffic

Research for the CA Department of

Transportation; Alex Guariento,

Director of Safety for Greyhound in

Dallas, TX; Ellison Wittels, M.D.,

Concentra Medial Center, Houston,

TX; Tom Dingus, Director of VA

Tech’s Transportation Institute,

Blacksburg, VA; and Bob Clarke,

President of the Truck Manufacturers

Association in Washington, DC.

Their presentations focused on the

opportunities that arise from their

perspective and experience when the

public and private sectors come

together to take advantage of the

natural synergies that exist between

them. ■

FMCSA R&T Forum Features

Stellar Program

By Victoria Chapman, FMCSA R&T Communications Advisor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 26, 2004)-

Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (BFNT)

today announced that it is initiating a voluntary safety

campaign in the United States to replace approximately

297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size LT265/75R16 LR D

(Load Range D) on 2000-2002 and some early 2003 model

year Ford Excursions. Consumers will receive free

replacement tires.

Recent preliminary data reviewed as part of the company’s

early warning system suggests that there could be an

issue concerning the performance of these tires. Since

these tires are not performing up to the company’s

expectations and in order to avoid any future problems,

Firestone, in consultation with the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and in

cooperation with Ford Motor Company, will replace these

tires to enhance safety and to ensure customer

satisfaction. The performance of these tires differs from

other Steeltex tires, which continue to perform well in the

field even in difficult duty applications.

“At Firestone, safety is our No. 1 priority. The TREAD Act

and its implementation by NHTSA raised the bar for tire

safety, a goal we share and support,” said Mike Kane,

BFNT vice president, quality assurance. “Our early

warning systems now allow us to identify potential issues

more quickly and take swift action to avoid future

problems.”

The tires were manufactured in Joliette, Quebec,

beginning in March 1999 through December 2002. Firestone

no longer manufactures the Steeltex Radial A/T size

LT265/75R16 LR D and will replace these tires at no charge

to consumers with Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size

LT265/75R16 LR E (Load Range E). In order to ensure that

the program can be concluded quickly, Firestone will also

offer consumers Steeltex R4SII LR E and Bridgestone

Duravis M773II LR E tires.

Ford and Firestone also will utilize the following

competitive tires as additional replacements: Pirelli

Scorpion AT, Pirelli Scorpion STR and BFGoodrich

Rugged Trail TA. Replacements will be available at

authorized participating Firestone retailers and Ford

dealerships. Firestone and Ford are working together to

expedite tire supply to complete this campaign as quickly

as possible.

• Consumer toll-free hotline: For questions and

additional information about how to identify the tires

covered under this program and where to get free

replacements, consumers may contact Firestone toll

free at: 1-800-465-1904 or Ford toll free at: 1-800-392-3673.

• Notification letter: Everyone who purchased a Ford

Excursion fitted with the tires covered under this

campaign will receive a letter from Firestone

announcing the safety campaign. Every effort also will

be made to identify customers who have purchased

tires covered by this program as replacements for tires

originally installed on their Ford Excursion in order to

advise them of the campaign by mail. Upon receipt of

the letter, customers should take the vehicle to any

authorized participating Firestone retailer or their Ford

dealer to receive free replacement tires. 

• Web site: Information about how to identify and replace

the tires covered by this campaign as well as frequently

asked questions can be found at www.firestone.com.

• Firestone retailer: Firestone encourages consumers

who have a Ford Excursion and think they may have the

tires covered by this campaign to bring their vehicle to

any authorized participating Firestone retailer for a free

inspection and replacement, if appropriate.

In a related action, Firestone will replace approximately

20,000 of the same tires on Ford Excursions of the same

model years that were exported.

Regardless of the tire or vehicle, proper tire inflation is

important to safe motor vehicle operation. Tire inflation

recommendations for Excursions appear on a label located

on the driver’s door latch pillar. For gasoline-powered

Excursions, Ford recommends 45 psi front and 55 psi rear.

For diesel-powered Excursions, Ford recommends 50 psi

front and 55 psi rear. In addition to these inflation pressure

recommendations, some Excursions also have a label

Firestone Initiates Safety Campaign

VehicleViews

26

Continued on page 27
(located on the inside edge of the

driver’s door) allowing for a lower

inflation pressure for “improved ride”

under light load conditions and

giving instructions on proper use of

that setting. Ford advises customers

that the “improved ride” setting does

not apply to the replacement tires

and, therefore, the label will be

removed when the tires are replaced.

Nashville-based

Bridgestone/Firestone North

American Tire, LLC is a subsidiary of

Bridgestone Americas Holding, Inc.,

whose parent company, Bridgestone

Corporation, is the world’s largest

tire and rubber company. BFNT

develops, manufactures and markets

Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and

associate and private brand tires.

The company is focused on

wholesale and original equipment

markets, supplying passenger, light

truck, commercial vehicle, off-road,

agricultural and other tires to its

customers in North America.

Contact: Mary DeHarde Sr. Sales

Analyst Purchase Resale & Military

Salesdehardemary@bfusa.com 615-

937-3531 ■

VehicleViews

27

FIRESTONE from page 26 FMCSA Conducts 

Stakeholder Forums

By Victoria Chapman, FMCSA R&T Communications Advisor

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is

undertaking an on-going campaign to invite stakeholder input in the

development of its research agenda. FMCSA sponsored two 2003

stakeholder forums to initiate the effort. One was held in Denver in November

and the other in Baltimore in December. 

These forums were specifically designed to solicit input for consideration for

the fiscal year 2006 research agenda. More than 80 attendees were

stakeholders who represented motor carrier and motor coach companies,

insurance companies, state enforcement and regulatory agencies, safety

advocacy groups, academia and private sector consulting firms and vendors.

Attendees identified crash factors affecting commercial vehicle safety and

recommended more than 125 specific research initiatives to address these

factors. By far, the most frequently cited safety factors were driver-related

issues.

Some of the specific topics recommended for research include: 

• Adequacy of biannual physicals for older commercial drivers;

• Capability of States to effectively and accurately share commercial driver

data between jurisdictions; 

• Driver experience impact on commercial vehicle safety; 

• Standards for the development and use of driver simulators;

• Certification for commercial drivers to operate in unique and/or challenging

terrains (i.e. mountains);

• Improvement of visibility of commercial vehicles; and

• Impact of work zone layout on commercial vehicle safety

A final report on the results of Forums has been published and distributed and

copies are available on the FMCSA home page, keywords Research and

Technology. 

FMCSA will continue to seek stakeholder input through additional forums that

will be held annually. ■
VehicleViews

28

Promoting Safety Belt Use Every Trip, Every Time

Click It or Ticket May 2004

Building on the success of previous efforts, the May 2004 Click It or

Ticket/Operation ABC (America Buckles Up Children) Mobilization will

again play a critical role in the effort to keep people safe on our

nation’s roads and highways. The Mobilization efforts, led by the U.S.

Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

(NHTSA), include an intensive buckle up promotion program with heightened

seat belt and child safety seat enforcement. 

From May 24 to June 6, 2004, law enforcement agencies nationwide are

conducting intensive, high-publicity Click It or Ticket campaigns with zerotolerance enforcement of safety belt law. These efforts — coupled with paid

advertising and the support of government agencies, local coalitions and

school officials — work to create dramatic increases in safety belt use and

help defend us against one of the greatest threats to us all — traffic crashes.

Click It or Ticket efforts work. Research shows the Mobilization campaign to be

a key factor in raising safety belt use rates. In 2003, more states ran campaigns

than ever before and use rates indicate that the increased effort to get the

public to buckle up was a success – there was an unprecedented 4-point jump

in safety belt use nationwide, from 75% in 2002 to 79% in 2003. 

Safety belt use saves lives and prevents injuries. Each percentage point

increase in use saves about 270 additional lives nationwide. It is estimated that

safety belts save the lives of more than 14,000 motorists each year and save

about $50 billion in medical care, lost productivity and other injury related costs

nationwide.

State and local efforts are critical to the success of the Click It or

Ticket/Operation ABC Mobilization. To help support the campaign in your

community, you can:

• Write letters to your local newspaper about your community’s/State’s efforts

and about your support for law enforcement. 

• Spread the word in your workplace, neighborhood or house of worship.

• Ask your local law enforcement agency how you can support their safety belt

and child safety seat education efforts.

• Attend public events on safety belts and child safety seats.

Additional information about the Click It or Ticket/Operation ABC Mobilization,

as well as tools to support the campaign in your community, can be found

online at www.buckleupamerica.org ■
the MTVUpdate

29

This section is to advise you of the status of the

projects MTV is working on for the Federal fleet

community. For further information, please

contact the identified points of contact.

Contact: 

Michael Moses at 202- 501-2507 or email:

mike.moses@gsa.gov

Federal Automotive Statistical Tool (FAST)

We have scheduled a working group meeting on March

24th to discuss upcoming FAST enhancements

concerning how special purpose vehicles and SUVs will

be incorporated into the Federal Fleet Report and OMB

Exhibit 33. These vehicle types will be reported separately

in FAST for the fiscal year 2004 reporting period. Detailed

instructions will be provided during the August training

sessions and through updates provided by this office.

Federal License Plate Program

The Internet ordering system at Amerimac and Federal

Prison Industries (UNICOR) was re-programmed last Fall

to incorporate changes for the GSA Fleet Program and to

make some general housekeeping changes. Overall, the

Program is working very well. Anyone experiencing

problems or having suggestions should contact Michael

Moses at mike.moses@gsa.gov. 

The Federal Vehicle Policy Division will be issuing a

Federal Management Regulation Bulletin in the near

future concerning Federal license plates issued by the

District of Columbia (DC) Department of Transportation

for motor vehicle primarily housed or operated in DC.

These license plates, which usually have a prefix code of

“US,” and accompanying safety inspections, are not

required since the District of Columbia changed their

implementing Code in the spring of 2003. All agencies will

be advised to remove these license plates and to use their

official agency plates. Similar changes to Federal

Management Regulation, Subpart 102-34 will also be

issued later this year.

National Association of Fleet Administrators

(NAFA)

The Federal Vehicle Policy Division continues to work

closely with the National Association of Fleet

Administrators (NAFA) on industry trends and common

fleet issues affecting Fleet Managers. NAFA is an

excellent source for all fleet-related data and best

practices, and is the only national organization specifically

for Fleet Managers. Since NAFA memberships can be reassigned to different individuals, Federal employees are

allowed to apply for membership and take advantage of the

many benefits that NAFA has to offer. Visit www.nafa.org

for more information.

Michael Moses of the Federal Vehicle Policy Division is the

Chair of NAFA’s Nations Capitol Chapter. We have

meetings about six times a year, many of which are at

venues such as expos, ride-and-drives, and factory tours.

Non-members are welcome. 

Contacts: 

Stewart Randall at 202-501-4469 or

email: stewart.randall@gsa.gov

Ed Lawler at 202-501-3354 or email:

ed.lawler@gsa.gov

Federal Management Regulation 102-34—Motor

Vehicle Management

The Vehicle Policy Division, GSA Office of

Governmentwide Policy is updating Federal Management

Regulation 102-34— Motor Vehicle Management. This

regulation provides policy guidance for the federal fleet.

Two amendments to the regulation are planned. 

The first amendment will update the existing regulation,

which was last changed in November 1999, and will add

new information on motor vehicles management and

environmental concerns. Examples of the proposed

changes are an update to the information for obtaining U.S.

Government license plates from the new license plate

supplier—UNICOR, and the removal of the requirement to

obtain District of Columbia issued U.S. Government tags
VehicleViews

30

for Federal vehicles operating in the District of Columbia. 

The second amendment to FMR 102-34 will essentially

incorporate the recommendations of our Fleet Review

Initiative into the regulation. These changes will first be

published in the Federal Register as a notice of proposed

rulemaking and Agencies will be asked to comment on the

content. 

We expect to publish both amendments by October 2004.

Contact: 

Jacquie C. Perry at 202-501-3347 or

email: jacquie.perry@gsa.gov

Fleet Management Desk Reference

MTV has been reviewing the contents of the Know Net

website. It is anticipated that the corrections to The Fleet

Management Desk Reference will be given to the

contractor in May 2004.

Contact: 

Ed Lawler at 202-501-3354 or email:

ed.lawler@gsa.gov 

Notes from the Quarterly FedFleet Meeting –

January 21, 2004

Russ Pentz, Director, Vehicle Policy Division (MTV),

GSA, (russ.pentz@gsa.gov) opened the meeting and

spoke for several minutes about establishing priorities for

FedFleet. The majority of attendees agreed that the

recommendations from the Fleet Review Initiative should

be top priorities for the organization.

The FedFleet steering committee needs to give

consideration to amending the organizational charter.

Future FedFleet meetings will depend more on greater

participation of committee members. John Adams

(john.adams@gsa.gov) will be sending out a request to

update the membership. 

Russ also introduced the proposal of initiating one-on-one

discussions between GSA/OGP and individual agencies

after the Fleet Report is completed each year. Some

skepticism was registered at the idea of including OMB in

such discussions; OMB participation was tabled for

further discussion.

Russ announced that he has issued a stop-work order on

the fleet management portion of KnowNet and the

www.manageyourfleet.gov website. Oversight of the

website’s contents has been inadequate, and the site

needs to be reviewed before additional content is added.

Also, the certification process has been halted pending

review and completion of the Desk Reference portion of

the website. Resumption of work on the certification

program will resume after the Desk Reference is complete

and sufficient funding allotted.

On Home-To-Work, a legislative proposal has been

submitted through GSA’s internal clearance process. The

change would permit agency heads to delegate, permit

reporting positions rather than names, and extend the

reporting period from quarterly to annually.

The small number of nominees has made the EPAct

Award process difficult. Members were urged to consider

and nominate deserving employees for the EPAct Award.

(jacquie.perry@gsa.gov)

Mike Fields, Program Manager for Federal Prison

Industries/UNICOR (mfields@central.unicor.gov)

(substituting for Chuck Welke, Fleet Manager for the

Detention & Removal Division, Bureau of Immigration &

Customs Enforcement, DHS, who was called away), gave

a presentation on the progress of the transition to the

UNICOR/Maximus/VMIS fleet management system. The

Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

and the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

have both migrated to the system and, with the exception

of normal problems, the new system is working smoothly

for the 5,700 vehicles involved to date. In response to

questions, Mike reported that the cost of the basic fleet

management service is $38 per vehicle per year, and the

system is Section 508 compliant.

(http://www.unicor.gov/services/repair.htm and

http://assetsolutions.maximus.com/fleetfocus.M5.cfm)

Monica Bumbray and Shawn Koster, Automotive

Division, GSA (monica.bumbray@gsa.gov,

shawn.koster@gsa.gov) gave an update on vehicle

procurement. AutoChoice was discussed, as was the

planned Federal Standards Conference to be held May 24-

47 in Rosslyn. Contracts and awards for several new

products were also reviewed.
VehicleViews

31

Mike Moses, Vehicle Policy Division, GSA

(mike.moses@gsa.gov), gave an update, postponed from

the October 29, 2003 meeting, on the requirements for

displaying tags provided by the District of Columbia on

Federal vehicles domiciled or used within the District.

This requirement is being removed from the Federal

Management Regulations.

Russ Pentz discussed the recent decision by the

FedFleet Steering committee to establish a fund to pay for

refreshments at the quarterly meetings. The staff of

GSA’s Vehicle Policy Division had been paying for the

refreshments using personal funds. GSA will continue to

provide refreshments, with the cost reimbursed from the

fund.

Russ also encouraged attendees to suggest agenda items

for future meetings of FedFleet and the steering

committee. It is important to discuss issues that are of

interest and importance to the community.

Mike Moses gave an update on the FAST data call for

fiscal year 2003.

Laurie Feld,Vehicle Policy Division, GSA

(laurie.feld@gsa.gov) gave a presentation on planning for

the Fourth National Federal Fleet Manager Workshop and

Information Fair to be held July 20-22, 2004, in New York,

NY. Further information is available at the FedFleet

website, www.fedfleet.org, which is updated regularly.

John Jacobs, Department of Justice

(john.Jacobs@usdoj.gov), spoke briefly about an effort to

evaluate Federal use of car-sharing programs offered by

various vendors such as FlexCar and ZipCar.

(www.flexcar.com and www.zipcar.com)

Russ Pentz closed the meeting with the announcement

that a new member will be chosen for the steering

committee at the next meeting, in accordance with the

FedFleet charter. One new member will be chosen at each

quarterly meeting for a 15-month term. The composition of

the steering committee is: Chair, Large Fleet, Small Fleet,

Civilian, DOD, and Law Enforcement. The charter can be

found at:

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTy

peId=8203&channelPage=%2Fep%2Fchannel%2FgsaOverv

iew.jsp&channelId=-13176

The next quarterly FedFleet meeting is scheduled for

Thursday, May 13, 2004 at the L’Enfant Training Center. More

details will be sent out as the date approaches. ■
32

U.S. General Services Administration

GSA Office of Governmentwide Policy

Federal Vehicle Policy Division (MTV)

Washington, DC 20405

______________________________________

Official Business

Penalty For Private Use $300

First Class Mail

Postage and Fees Paid

GSA

Permit No. G-30

http://www.gsa.gov

VehicleViews

32

Federal Vehicle

Policy Division

(MTV)

The Federal Vehicle Policy

Division’s mission is to

ensure the effective and

efficient use of the Federal

Government’s 590,000 motor

vehicles and the expenditure of

close to $2 billion annually on fleet

operations through innovative

policies, adoption of best

practices, effective

communication, and leading edge

technologies.

Director

Russ Pentz

(202) 208-0572

Connie Aaron

(202) 208-7634

John (Q) Adams

(202) 501-0758

Laurie Feld

(202) 219-1821

Krista Freer

(202) 208-0372

Ed Lawler

(202) 501-3354

Mike Moses

(202) 501-2507

Jacquie Perry

(202) 501-3347

Stewart Randall

(202) 501-4469

Nate Reed

(510) 482-8904

Myles Schulberg

(202) 208-7642

Please address your questions or comments concerning Vehicle Views to

the editor: Jacquie C. Perry (202) 501-3347 or by e-mail to

Jacquie.Perry@gsa.gov

Graphic Design: Tom Pearlman

GSA Office of Citizen Services and Communications