CHARLOTTE, N.C. — GNet and Transportation Advisors have launched a compliance audit and certification program to help transportation providers identify gaps in their practices and document their commitment to duty of care.
Announced Oct. 6, the program is available to operators within the GNet network of all fleet sizes. Transportation Advisors conducts the audits, while GNet endorses the program.
The companies describe the audit as similar to a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration investigation, with a more in-depth review of an operator’s compliance practices.
Operators who pass receive a certificate from Transportation Advisors valid for one year. They can include the certificate in responses to requests for proposals and other materials provided to clients and transportation partners.
Certified operators also receive a badge displayed alongside their online GNet profiles: gold for interstate operators and blue for intrastate operators.
“Operators work hard to earn the confidence of their clients and transportation partners,” said Tom Holden, CEO of Transportation Advisors. “This program gives them a practical way to take a closer look at their compliance practices, address areas needing attention and document the work behind that commitment.”
Amir Zafar, co-founder and CEO of GRiDD Technologies, which operates GNet, said the company approached Holden about developing the program.
“We approached Tom Holden about developing this program because we wanted to give GNet users a meaningful way to demonstrate their commitment to compliance and duty of care,” Zafar said. “Tom’s experience as an operator and the expertise of Transportation Advisors made them a natural partner. We’re proud to endorse a program that helps operators document their practices and gives transportation buyers greater confidence in the providers they choose.”
Identifying areas for improvement
Tony Mehdiof, owner of North Point Global Transportation and Atlanta Elite Transportation, said the audit helped his companies identify a gap in their drug and alcohol policy.
“We have been audited plenty of times. This audit by Transportation Advisors was different. It went looking for the gaps instead of taking our word for it, and that is exactly why these badges mean something,” Mehdiof said.
Although the companies were conducting testing and had a written program, Mehdiof said their policy had not kept pace with changes in FMCSA and Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse requirements.
“We corrected it and brought the program up to the current standard. I would much rather find a gap through this process than have a DOT investigator, an attorney, or an incident expose it later,” he said.
North Point Global Transportation earned a blue badge, while Atlanta Elite Transportation earned a gold badge.
“We all talk about safety and duty of care in this industry. The real question is whether you can prove what you say you are doing. That is what this certification provides. A documented, third-party verification,” Mehdiof said.
He said the credentials provide documentation he can share with insurance underwriters and corporate clients.
“Our Blue and Gold badges are displayed on our GNet Connect profiles, making that certification visible to clients and transportation partners. Our team earned these badges, and that is what makes them worth having,” he said.
GNet and Transportation Advisors will host a virtual workshop explaining the program at noon Eastern time Nov. 4. Registration is available at cal.com/gnet-workshop-wednesday-the-advisors.
Operators interested in the certification process can complete a contact form at theadvisors.org/certification. A Transportation Advisors representative will follow up to explain the program and discuss next steps.
Transportation Advisors provides Department of Transportation compliance consulting and support. Holden spent 12 years as an operator before leading the consulting company.
GNet connects more than 6,000 transportation companies in more than 99 countries, according to GRiDD Technologies. The platform allows operators to exchange trips, work with affiliate partners and track trips across reservation and dispatch systems.
