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10/26/2007 - Mercury awarded a
contract to assist the U.S. General
Services Administration (GSA) with the
creation of an electronic tool to enable the
right sizing of its fleet. The effort is
part of a Federal-wide initiative known as a
Vehicle Allocation Methodology (VAM). The
electronic tool will require vehicle users
to justify retention of low use vehicles, or
the addition of new vehicles, via a series
of questions whose answers automatically
feed into the electronic tool. The tool then
uses proprietary algorithms to determine
whether the vehicle is approved, and if so,
what type of vehicle is recommended (an
automated vehicle selector).
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 Vehicle selection is probably the most
important decision your organization can
make. It has an impact on every aspect of
your fleet operation.
Doing it well means that you have matched up
the vehicles you obtain with the true needs
of their users. Doing it poorly impairs the
ability of your drivers to perform their
work functions and brings many more
unfavorable and costly consequences.
Mercury’s extensive experience in fleet
operations of all types has been invaluable
for many fleet managers who have grappled
with the complex task of vehicle selector
development. We assist in weighing and
evaluating the complex set of criteria and
other factors, both quantitative and
qualitative, which come into play during the
vehicle selection process. |
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Factors that Mercury can help you
understand and rate appropriately
during the selection process
include: |
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drivers’ job
duties and work missions |
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vehicles’ cargo
requirements and physical
characteristics such as maximum
size, maximum weight, security, and
number of passengers |
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types of driving,
such as city, highway or a
combination |
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types of terrain
and minimum requirements for mileage
or distance per fueling |
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 Vehicle selector development services also
consider important non-quantifiable aspects
such as the effect of the vehicles on the
organization’s public image; employee
satisfaction and morale; and safety and
liability management.
Mercury can also help fleet managers decide
how many vehicle choices to offer, balancing
the advantages and disadvantages of offering
users a wide range of vehicles from which to
choose versus a more limited selection.
Proper vehicle selection enables the
organization to control depreciation costs
and to benefit from good residual values.
Effective vehicle selectors also consider
the cost of maintenance; vehicles’
reliability and potential downtime that can
reduce driver productivity; compliance with
government regulations; and fuel costs. |
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Mercury
Associates, Inc.
Professional Fleet Management Consultants
16051 Comprint Circle
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
301 519 0535 Office
301 519 0536 FAX
email:
contactme@mercury-assoc.com
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Fleet Management
Consulting Services and Business Solutions,
Simplified ™ |
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© 2006 Mercury
Associates, Inc. |
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