Federal Government Looks to Car Sharing for Savings

With savings and efficiencies in mind, GSA announces new approach to fleet management and services
 

WASHINGTON, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the lead of popular low-cost commercial car sharing ventures, GSA is actively pursuing similar initiatives to help federal agencies reduce costs, improve efficiencies, and optimize vehicle use. GSA manages more than 200,000 vehicles, one of the largest non-tactical federal fleets in the U.S. government. Today, the agency issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking innovative ideas from commercial vendors that could help the federal government incorporate car sharing government-wide and reduce the federal fleet overtime. GSA will also launch a car sharing pilot program in Washington DC, Boston, New York City and Chicago to immediately explore best practices and test how the government can effectively integrate low-cost alternative transportation services. GSA's ultimate goal is to help agencies find savings in their fleet program.
 

Key Facts

• GSA to offer a new cost-saving and sustainable alternative to fleet purchases government-wide.
• Today, the agency issued a Request for Information (RFI) in search of car sharing best practices and innovations that allow agencies to focus on their core missions rather than fleet services.
• In the coming months, GSA will also launch a car sharing pilot program in Washington DC, New York City, Boston, and Chicago to immediately begin exploring how car sharing can work across multi-federal agencies in large metropolitan cities.   
• Both the RFI and the pilot program will measure the effectiveness, cost savings, and overall benefits of car sharing for the federal workforce.
• GSA anticipates that the demand for car sharing in the federal government will increase due to budget constraints and the need to find efficiencies and savings in government operations.
• Car sharing allows agency flexibility and access to vehicles for short-term use; it saves money by reducing the need to purchase new vehicles; and provides a more sustainable approach to government fleet management.

GSA Administrator Dan Tangherlini and GSA Federal Acquisition Services Commissioner Tom Sharpe weigh in:

"Every day across America, families and businesses look for practical ways to save money. GSA is doing just that with this first-of-its-kind car-sharing program that drives down costs, increases efficiency, and improves operations of the government fleet program." - Dan Tangherlini, GSA Administrator

"GSA manages one of the largest federal fleets in the U.S. government. This common-sense approach will help agencies focus their limited resources on their critical mission, rather than fleet services. We will be able to test whether it is more cost-effective and beneficial to use a car sharing service in lieu of taxi cabs, renting, leasing and/or purchasing a vehicle."   - Tom Sharpe, Federal Acquisition Services, GSA

SUPPORTING RESOURCES

• GSA.gov
• Federal Fleet Report
• GSA Office of Motor Vehicle Management
• GSA Office of Travel and Transportation

SOURCE U.S. General Services Administration

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