The Office of Research Facilities, through its Division of Property Management, provides Dock Material Management (DMM) services for many NIH buildings in the Washington metropolitan area, Poolesville, and Montana. These services ensure efficient, well-coordinated operations and effective oversight of loading dock security and safety.
On this page:
Basic Services
Additional Services
Service Availability and Cost
Service Provider
Basic Services
As part of basic DMM services, loading dock managers will provide individual delivery of packages to the addressee in the building. Dock personnel making the delivery will scan the recipient's NIH ID using technology similar to that used by FedEx, UPS, and Airborne. Information obtained through the scanning process is limited to that posted on the official NIH NEDS website, including name, building number, room number, phone number, and email address.
ID scanning allows dock management staff to track package delivery and eliminates problems caused by illegible signatures and errors made during manual data input.
DMM basic services also include:
- Comply with USPS and NIH procedures for handling suspicious packages or mail.
- Research inbound packages with incorrect or incomplete addresses to determine the correct name and location of the customer. Refuse acceptance when correct customer addresses cannot be identified.
- Maintain files of all receipts and related documentation, including receiving reports, shipping documents (freight bill, GBL/CBL), import/export documents, and discrepancy reports.
- Temporarily store delivered material and supplies for later pick up from the loading dock area when the recipient is not immediately available for delivery.
- Maintain cleanliness and appearance of loading dock area
- Oversee the security and safety of the loading dock, including:
- Verify ID of delivery driver.
- Check ALL NIH government property passes for individuals moving equipment through the loading dock.
- Control pedestrian traffic through the loading dock.
- Manage parking within the loading dock area.
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Additional Services
On a fee-for-service basis loading dock managers will arrange for after-hours access to the loading dock for office moves, construction projects, and special deliveries. For costs and more detailed information, contact your ORF Facility Manager.
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Service Availability and Cost
Many NIH buildings on the Bethesda, MD campus and in the Washington metropolitan area are currently using Dock Material Management. The services are available to all facilities nationwide in which NIH is the only tenant. Service can be instituted quickly (usually within six weeks) once the IC tenants agree they want it and funds are available. ICs interested in getting DMM services for their buildings should contact the Facility Manager.
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Service Provider
Dock Material Management services have been contracted to SI International. Employees wear uniforms for easy recognition and have NIH ID.