The consolidation point and delivery by air

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1. Why a consolidation point is used

The Joint Consolidation Point exists for small items that need to be collected from various vendors (SAMM C15.5.6.2.1.1.2). The implementing agency (IA) may consolidate materiel at a consolidation point in the continental United States to manage several shipments to one benefitting partner (SAMM C15.3.11.3). The case carries a note describing the intended consolidation and citing, if known, the separate case that pays for handling at the point and onward shipment. Oversized rolling stock, heavy engineering equipment, and arms, ammunition and explosives are among the items that do not go through a consolidation point.

Two delivery term codes mark the route. The case must show the final destination address even if the equipment goes to a consolidation point first, and codes 2 and 7 on the case show that one is used (SAMM C15.3.11.3.1). For the final leg from the consolidation point to the partner, the IA uses code 7 or 9 (SAMM C15.3.11.3.2). How shipments are planned and tracked more generally is covered in shipping capacity building equipment.

2. Who pays for packing and handling

Program-wide transportation and packing cases must carry a line note describing the costs on each line (SAMM C15.3.11.2.1). Cases for the articles and services themselves that have a transport charge must carry the note on use of program-wide transportation. Packing, crating and handling on Title 10 funded cases is funded from an annual Title 10 BPC transportation account if it is not already in the transport cost (SAMM C15.3.11.2.2). Packing costs on stock items are paid from the IA’s annual transportation account.

Where transport will be billed on a separate case, the IA says so in a case note, gives that case’s identifier if possible, and records the same when it selects the transportation bill code (SAMM C15.3.11.2). IAs submit their packing estimates for the next fiscal year to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) through the annual cost collection process, due each September (SAMM C15.3.11.2.3). The same estimates go to the Army case manager through the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command’s Washington field office (SAMM C15.3.11.2.5). An IA without its own transportation account is funded by a direct cite military interdepartmental purchase request for the year’s packing services (SAMM C15.3.11.2.4). Residual funds from that request go back to the Army case manager by June 1 of the fiscal year in which the funds’ period of availability expires (SAMM C15.3.11.2.6).

3. The delivery team’s countdown

For commercial air deliveries from the consolidation point, the manual sets out a countdown (SAMM C15.5.6.6). The Global Train and Equip Delivery Team sends the security cooperation organization (SCO), another government employee or a designee, an 1149 packet 25 days before delivery (SAMM C15.5.6.6.2.1). It lists the serial numbers of articles under enhanced end use monitoring, a handover receipt annex and a tentative delivery date.

Carrier and shipping agent contact details follow 18 to 20 days before delivery (SAMM C15.5.6.6.2.2). The airway bill, invoice and packing list arrive 14 to 18 days before (SAMM C15.5.6.6.2.3). Seven days before, the team sends a delivery marking brief, including the serial numbers of tamper-proof seals on monitored skids. It confirms pickup at the consolidation point two to seven days before delivery, and the carrier or agent confirms departure one to two days before and then confirms arrival (SAMM C15.5.6.6.2.4).

4. The SCO’s preparation

Once the 45-day notification is given, the SCO confirms the government point of contact, the address code, the physical delivery address and the handling requirements at the airport and destination (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.1). It also flags blackout dates, including holidays, weekends and arrival hours. It sends DSCA a copy and uploads the transfer documents and annex to the Security Cooperation Information Portal (SCIP).

Local coordination begins 18 to 20 days before delivery (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.2). The SCO works with airport and police security, partner customs agents, contracted shipping agents and partner military leadership. The aim is enough ground handling, transport and security from the airport to the final destination, and storage where needed. It also confirms proper storage, coordinates with persistent engagement teams where available, and arranges any delivery assist team.

5. Delivery day

On the day of arrival, the SCO or another government employee signs the Signature and Tally Record after verifying the skid count and checking each skid for obvious tampering (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.3). They confirm that each monitored skid’s tamper seal is intact and its serial number matches the advance documents. They provide continuous monitoring of the materiel from the airport to the final destination, and make sure it is delivered and secured under end use monitoring requirements.

An inventory of everything received follows on the day of arrival or the next day (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.3.1). Monitored articles are checked by serial number jointly with the partner’s receiving unit, and the rest by joint inventory. External documents are enough to verify skid contents unless there is evidence of tampering or damage. For a damaged or tampered skid, the manual requires a 100 percent inventory, with photographs and records of any damage or discrepancy.

6. After delivery

A record of the inventory and discrepancies, with photographs, goes to the IA no later than seven days after delivery (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.4.1). Any delivery surveys requested are due in the same seven days (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.4.2). Within 30 days, the articles are handed to the partner with the transfer documents and annex (SAMM C15.5.6.6.1.4.3). One copy goes to the partner and one to the SCO, which uploads it to SCIP. The SCO stays responsible for the documents even if another government employee made the handover.

Key terms

Consolidation point	A site in the United States where small items for one partner are gathered before shipment.
Global Train and Equip Delivery Team	The team that manages commercial air deliveries from the consolidation point.
1149 packet	The pre-delivery packet with monitored serial numbers, a handover annex and a tentative date.
Delivery marking brief	The notice, sent seven days ahead, that includes the tamper seal serial numbers.
Blackout dates	Holidays, weekends and arrival hours the SCO flags ahead of a delivery.

Every statement above links to the document behind it. The full source list for this piece is on the sources page.

This page describes public United States government programs for general information. It is not legal, regulatory or procurement advice, and it does not address the facts of any particular case.

How Sentfore supports this

Air deliveries into difficult locations need people on the ground at arrival. Sentfore works at the delivery end of defense programs in difficult environments, providing secure movement, protective security, facilities and life support. Requirements can be sent through the contact page.