[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 3268 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 3268
To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a request for
proposals for a private-sector entity to develop an operating model for
an interoperable gray chassis pool at the rail ramps around Memphis.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
November 19, 2021
Mrs. Blackburn (for herself and Mr. Wicker) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Transportation to issue a request for
proposals for a private-sector entity to develop an operating model for
an interoperable gray chassis pool at the rail ramps around Memphis.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Improving Memphis' Supply Chain
Act''.
SEC. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF OPERATING MODEL FOR INTEROPERABLE GRAY CHASSIS
POOL AT THE RAIL RAMPS AROUND MEMPHIS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the Federal
Maritime Commission.
(2) Interoperable gray chassis pool.--The term
``interoperable gray chassis pool'' means a single enterprise
for voluntary chassis provisioning that allows for the use of
any container chassis for marine shipping containers not less
than 20 feet and not more than 45 feet in length at the rail
ramps around Memphis by shippers or motor carriers.
(b) Development of Plan.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in
coordination with the Commission, shall develop a plan to issue
a request for proposals to develop an operating model for an
interoperable gray chassis pool at the rail ramps around
Memphis, Tennessee.
(2) Plan details.--In developing the plan under paragraph
(1), the Secretary of Transportation, in coordination with the
Commission, shall identify a suitable location or locations for
the interoperable gray chassis pool and consult with relevant
stakeholders, including the International Port of Memphis,
ocean carriers, railroad carriers, motor carriers, chassis
providers, shippers, and the Surface Transportation Board.
(3) Content of plan and availability.--The plan under
paragraph (1) shall--
(A) include--
(i) objectives and duties of a private-
sector contractor to establish the
interoperable gray chassis pool;
(ii) expectations for voluntary
participation based on consultations; and
(iii) the appropriate approach for seeking
and receiving feedback from Memphis
stakeholders regarding the interoperable gray
chassis pool; and
(B) be publicly available on a website not later
than 7 days after the plan is completed.
(c) Request for Proposals.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation, in
coordination with the Commission, shall issue a request for
proposals for a private-sector entity to develop an operating
model for an interoperable gray chassis pool consistent with
the plan required under subsection (b).
(2) Content of proposal.--A proposal submitted pursuant to
a request under paragraph (1) shall include--
(A) a fee structure that would sustain the
interoperable gray chassis pool without a subsidy;
(B) specification of performance goals, including
rates of chassis in maintenance and average turn times,
and a plan to achieve the performance goals;
(C) expectations for communication and coordination
among carriers and local businesses, including any
facilitation by the private-sector entity;
(D) expectations for total chassis involved,
whether from voluntary participation of existing
providers or addition of chassis by the contractor;
(E) identification of real property necessary to
implement the interoperable gray chassis pool, whether
from voluntary participants or to be acquired; and
(F) a commitment from the awardee to implement the
interoperable gray chassis pool at the rail ramps
around Memphis based on the operating model developed
for the proposal within a specified timeframe.
(d) Awarding of Contract.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, except as provided in paragraph (2), from the
proposals submitted under subsection (c), the Secretary of
Transportation, with approval from the Commission, shall award
a contract to a private-sector entity to develop and implement
an operating model for an interoperable gray chassis pool at
the rail ramps around Memphis.
(2) No satisfactory proposal.--If no satisfactory proposal
is submitted under subsection (c), the Secretary of
Transportation, in coordination with the Commission, shall
submit, not later than 6 months after the date all proposals
are submitted, a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives with potential alternative options to improve
chassis provisioning and supply chain efficiency at the rail
ramps around Memphis.
(e) Evaluation.--The Secretary of Transportation, in coordination
with the Commission, shall--
(1) evaluate the effectiveness of an interoperable gray
chassis pool developed under this section not later than 1 year
after implementation; and
(2) issue a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science,
and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of
Representatives regarding the evaluation, including best
practices and lessons learned, not later than 2 years after
implementation.
(f) Limitations.--
(1) Voluntary participation.--Participation in the
interoperable gray chassis pool developed under this section
shall be voluntary.
(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to authorize the Department of Transportation or the
Commission to purchase or operate tangible property related to
the development of the interoperable gray chassis pool under
this section.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $500,000.
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