On December 30, 2013, the American Clean Skies Foundation (ACSF) submitted this memorandum (PDF) to USTRANSCOM, the purchasing arm of the Defense Department (DOD), in response to the release of a December 13 Draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) for DOD’s Worldwide Express (WWX-6) delivery service contract.

The WWX-6 contract is likely to be the largest package delivery contract ever awarded by the federal government. It is expected to be a five year contract valued at over $500 million annually, making the total potential value more than $2.5 billion.

ACSF’s memorandum explains why USTRANSCOM must amend its draft PWS to make clear that the DOD’s selection of a vendor for this contract must consider and apply preferences for reduced air emissions and fuel efficiency. ACSF cites requirements found in President Obama’s Executive Order 13514 on Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy and Economic Performance, as well as the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), DOD’s Green Purchasing Plan, and DOD’s Strategic Sustainability Plan.

“This procurement is too large and too high-profile to ignore important Presidential and DOD national energy security and environmental goals,” said Gregory C. Staple, the Foundation’s CEO.

“WWX-6 will show whether the Obama Administration really is committed to reducing America’s oil dependence and cutting global warming pollution related to contract transportation services,” said Warren Lavey, ACSF’s senior regulatory counsel, who is advising the State of Illinois on implementing the nation’s only state law requiring sustainable transportation procurement programs in government agencies.

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