Step 3.3 — Carrier Rate Confirmation
Previous step: Step 3.2 — Carrier Assignment Next step: Step 3.4 — Shipper Rate Confirmation (if required) or Step 3.5 — Dispatch
Note
The rate confirmation is the contract between Forza and the carrier for this specific shipment. A signed copy must be on file before the carrier picks up the load.
🎯 Ideal State
Trigger: Carrier assigned to load (Step 3.2). Rate agreed.
Digital E-Sign via EZ Loader (Primary)
EZ-Loader generates the rate confirmation and sends it to the carrier via email with a digital signing link. Upon signature, three things happen automatically:
- Signed PDF sent to the carrier
- Signed PDF sent to Forza (the initiating user)
- Signed PDF auto-filed in the load’s documents section in EZ-Loader
No printing, scanning, or emailing PDFs back and forth.
What the Rate Confirmation Contains
- Forza company name and contact info
- Carrier company name and MC#
- Load number, origin, destination, dates/times
- Rate and payment terms
- Equipment requirements, commodity, special instructions
- Broker-carrier agreement terms (condensed reference)
Two-Part Rate Confirmation — Fraud Prevention
Forza’s current operational practice: rate confirmations to carriers include only zip codes until the carrier confirms — not full facility addresses. This is a manual fraud-prevention measure against double-brokering.
EZ-Loader offers a native two-part rate confirmation feature that automates this — the initial rate con hides facility details until the carrier signs; then a dispatch sheet with full details releases automatically. Currently not configured.
Load Lock Plus context: Forza pays for Highway’s Load Lock Plus feature. As of early March, Load Lock was not yet live in the EZ-Loader integration. If activated, it may replace or supplement the two-part rate confirmation mechanism.
Manual Fallback
EZ-Loader generates a PDF that Ops downloads and emails to the carrier. Carrier prints, signs, scans, and emails back. Ops uploads manually. Should only be used when the carrier cannot complete the digital process.
Owner: James, Jen (Operations) — rate confirmation send. Carrier — signature.
🤖 SYSTEM AUTOMATION:
Digital rate confirmation is largely automated — EZ-Loader generates, sends, collects signature, and auto-files the signed copy. The only human action is clicking “Send.” Manual rate confirmation is an exception, not the default.
🛑 HARD GATE:
A signed rate confirmation must be on file before the carrier picks up the load. Dispatching without a signed rate con creates legal exposure. This is a non-negotiable policy regardless of whether EZ-Loader enforces it as a hard system gate.
📍 Current State
- Digital rate confirmation is the default path via MVMNT today — will migrate to EZ-Loader at go-live.
- Two-part rate confirmation is NOT automated — Ops practices manually by providing only zip codes until carrier confirms.
- Load Lock Plus paid-for but not live in EZ-Loader integration as of early March. Activation status unverified.
- Signed rate con attachment to the load record works.
🚧 Gap
- Two-part rate confirmation not automated — Ops handles fraud-prevention practice manually. EZ-Loader’s native automated feature isn’t configured.
- Load Lock Plus paid-for but not live in EZ-Loader integration — status unverified.
- No documented enforcement policy for “no dispatch without signed rate con” — relies on Ops discipline.
🛠️ Gap Closure Actions
- Evaluate EZ-Loader’s native two-part rate confirmation feature — configure and activate if appropriate Owner: Casey + James + EZ Loader support | Effort: Medium
- Verify Load Lock Plus status in EZ-Loader integration (same as Step 2.2 Gap 3) Owner: James + EZ Loader support + Highway support | Effort: Low
- Document the “no dispatch without signed rate con” policy as a formal Ops rule Owner: Casey + James | Effort: Policy