Announcements

Recent Company Announcements

08/07/24 - Use Apps for Fuel Purchases

Our fuel card numbers and login credentials have been stolen using skimmers and other devices multiple times recently.

Last weekend, over $2,000 in fraudulent transactions were completed in less than thirty minutes using one of our card numbers that was stolen.

To avoid these issues, please download the TA-Petro app, add your card number in the app, and use the app for fuel purchases.

For those rare occasions when a TA-Petro is not available and you need to use a Pilot or Loves, please utilize their apps for payment as well.

Please plan your trips to utilize TA-Petros whenever possible. Avoid fueling outside of the TA-Petro network and please call me if you will be putting on more than 50 gallons at a non-TA-Petro.

We need to make a complete transition away from using your cards at fuel pumps. The apps shield us from fraud. If you must use a card at a truck stop, please pay inside.

07/18/24 - Your Photos Make a Difference: Help Us Stand Out!

We've had a number of customers call us recently to offer us freight before offering it to any other carriers. That only happens because you are putting in the effort to make a good impression. Thank you for your excellent work!

Would you be willing to assist with something that will help us make an even better impression? It's pretty simple.

Send in pictures of your loads with your unit in the foreground, especially those loads that stand out and that showcase the great work you do every day. Your photos are crucial in helping us differentiate ourselves from other carriers. When we proactively share pictures with our customers, it makes a significant impact and reinforces our commitment to quality and professionalism. When they see their load being hauled by a unit with our logo, it makes us memorable.

Your contributions help us tell our story better and attract more business, which ultimately benefits all of us. So, next time you have an attractive load, please snap a few photos and send the to your dispatcher!

Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication. We appreciate everything you do!

07/03/24 - TA-Petro Fuel Purchases - June '24 Update

Hello Team,

Thanks to those of you who have been working to maximize our TA-Petro fuel purchases!

In June '24, we purchased 87% of our fuel at TA-Petro. That's far lower than our target. If you haven't been planning your trips to ensure that you're using TA-Petros, please do so!

Average savings at TA-Petro Fuel Stops as of today, 07/03/24, is $.53 per gallon. We purchased over 3,200 gallons of fuel outside of the TA-Petro network last month. You can imagine how much more we spent than necessary and how that adds up over the year!

Please plan your trips to maximize use of TA-Petros!!!

06/28/24 - Please Select Document Type In Alvys

As you are submitting your Bills of Lading, Proofs of Delivery, etc. in Alvys, please select the correct document type before uploading.

When you submit a document as "unclassified" (which is what the app defaults to if you don't tell it what kind of document you are submitting), then it doesn't tell me what you've submitted.

However, when you select and submit a "Proof of Delivery", I get a notification that you have completed delivery and that your Proof of Delivery is in my inbox. That is my trigger to dispatch you on your next load.

If you have any questions about how to submit paperwork correctly in your Alvys Driver Companion App, please click here for a quick and easy explanation.

If you have not already watched the brief (2 minute!) video on how to use the Alvys Driver Companion App, please click here and knock it out.

06/26/24 - GA Amber Light Permits Not Required After 06/30/24

Georgia is phasing out their requirement for commercial vehicles utilizing amber lights for oversize loads to possess an amber light permit - please click here for more info.

After 06/30/24 you will no longer be required to carry a GA amber light permit. Please let me know if you have any questions.

05/10/24 - NEW Dispatch App Alvys coming NEXT WEEK

National Flatbed is transitioning to a new dispatch smartphone app from Alvys (pronounced "al-vis") that will make communication more efficient and give you much better visibility into your load details right from your phone.

Instead of receiving a text message with a few load details and then a PDF by email with more load details, your loads will be sent straight into the Alvys app with all the load information displayed all in one place. There are many other features that you all will like and this will improve communication for all of us.

Josh will now start building new loads that are scheduled to deliver on or after May 16th in Alvys so that we can all make the transition with the start of the next pay period.

NEXT STEPS FOR YOU:

Please download the Alvys Driver Companion App:

Apple iPhone App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alvys-driver-companion/id1532778131?platform=iphone

Android Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.alvys.alvys&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1

2-minute training video:

Alvys is really easy to use but here is a 2-minute training video on YouTube: https://alvys.notion.site/How-to-Use-the-Driver-Companion-Mobile-App-3e2854130ac2453daa9bff86f1d7e5f8

Thank you all for your continued hard work and safe performance.

04/23/24 - Requirements for BOLs and PODs

Thanks to all of you for your hard work! Below are a few quick reminders. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Every load requires a BOL.
If you are not given one by the shipper then you must create your own. More info on that is attached below, along with a blank BOL. When your dispatch includes a statement such as "BOL sent via email" please look for and print that BOL for use on the load. If you don't see it in your email, please let me know. Never use your email dispatch sheet as the BOL.
Always submit your BOL before leaving the shipper.
If practical, loaded pictures submitted with the BOL are also greatly appreciated. Our customer cannot see most of the work that you do, but we give them a window into it by sending them your loaded pictures and by keeping them in the loop on your progress. When you submit a BOL in Samsara, it's my cue to mark you in transit and to update the customer that you are loaded and rolling. It also ensures that we have a copy, in case the original is lost in transit.
Always double-check that the BOL and dispatch match the load that you are moving.
Often, the dispatch will have substantially less information than the BOL that you are given at the shipper. If you have any questions at all, never hesitate to call and ask.
Any time you are given a VIN or serial number as part of your dispatch and/or on the BOL, double-check to ensure you are loaded with the correction vehicle, equipment, etc.
Always submit all pages of the POD before leaving the receiver.
Our customers, almost without exception, require all of the pages of the POD in order to process payment. Calling the receiver after the fact and asking them to email us a copy of the POD creates unnecessary work and delays invoicing. Please submit all pages, every time. Some carriers hide damage notes from the customers by omitting or replacing pages of the POD. We send clear copies of all pages, every time.
Always send legible copies of all paperwork. Please flatten each page and take a clear picture that captures all four edges. Do not obscure the paper with anything, including fingers if possible, so that we can send the clearest possible image to our customers. The POD must be legible.

Older Announcements

04/13/22 - Open Enrollment & Vision Coverage!

You should have received a couple of emails from Zenefits telling you that it is time to log in to Zenefits and to choose your insurance plans (and that you have until 04/18/22 to do so).

This email relates to health insurance AND a newly added benefit: Vision Coverage!

Vision coverage is being provided by the company to all employees at no cost to you.

If you would like to add family members at your own expense, you may do so in Zenefits and it will display the cost to do so.

For the current open enrollment period, you really only have two choices to make:

1. Whether or not to change your health insurance coverage.

If you do not make a selection, the system will automatically assign you to the plan closest to what you had last year (alternatively, if you declined last year, it will automatically decline coverage this year as well).

2. Whether or not to add family members to your vision coverage.

I've included the plan document below so that you can see what the coverage looks like.

Please do not decline vision coverage for yourself! Since the company pays 100% of the employee premiums, we are required to provide it to all employees. Whether or not you choose to add additional family members is totally up to you. The company does not pay premiums for family members, so you would simply pay the premium for anyone who you add.

12/08/20 - Adverse Driving Conditions Exemption

What does the exemption do?

The adverse driving conditions exemption extends the 11-hour driving limit to 13 hours. This exemption does not extend the 14-hour driving period. It means that all 13 hours of driving must still be completed within the 14-hour window.

When can it be claimed?

This exemption can be claimed when a driver encounters adverse driving conditions that could not have been known before the driver started driving. Circumstances include weather changes, such as unexpected fog or snow or the closure of a road due to unforeseen events, such as an accident.

When can it not be claimed?

The exemption would not be applicable if the driver had previous knowledge of the adverse driving conditions or could have known of the conditions through basic trip planning or common sense. For example, a forecasted blizzard or rush hour traffic would not meet the conditions necessary for this exemption to be valid.

How can it be claimed in Samsara?

Scroll down on the driver daily log to find the “Exemptions” section and select “Adverse Driving. Claim exemption and set the "Apply For Time" you wish the exemption to be claimed for.

10/08/20 - Paperwork in the Conex

We are working on organizing all of your paperwork (by truck) into a mailbox divider in the Conex to make it easier for you to find. In addition, You should have received an email on 10/07/20 with a paperwork checklist and a spreadsheet showing which HUT, Drayage Sticker, etc. is associated with your unit. Please check that spreadsheet against your current credentials and complete the paperwork checklist.

09/30/20 - Chain Laws By State

As we head towards the winter and colder weather, please take a look at this article on chain laws around the US (click here). To be clear, not all states require you to carry chains, and some restrict the use of chains, so it's important to familiarize yourself with the requirements for the states that you are travelling through.

09/29/20 - HOS Changes Start Today

The new HOS rule changes goes into effect today and you will see a number of small changes to your app as a result. Please take a look below to familiarize yourself with the changes and let me know if you have any questions.

1. 30-minute break period

Drivers can now take their 30-minute break while being on-duty not driving, with a break required after 8 hours of driving time, not on-duty time.

What was the rule before? Previously, drivers could not drive after being on-duty for more than 8 hours without taking a 30-minute break and had to be completely off-duty throughout the break period. Under the new rule, a driver cannot drive for more than 8 hours before being required to take a 30-minute break, but could have been on-duty for more than 8 hours. Drivers will also be able to satisfy the 30-minute break requirement with off-duty, sleeper berth, and/or on-duty not driving time.
How does this impact your fleet? These changes to the 30-minute break period provide drivers with more flexibility in how they perform their non-driving tasks, allow them to be more efficient, and may help them more easily complete routes.

2. Split sleeper berth exception

When using the split sleeper berth exception, drivers can now split their required 10 hours off-duty into either an 8/2 split or 7/3 split, with neither option affecting their 14-hour driving window.

What was the rule before? Previously, only 8/2 splits were permitted, with the 2 hour period counting against a driver’s 14-hour driving window.
How does this impact your fleet? This change gives drivers additional flexibility in how they take their off-duty time, which may allow them to plan their schedules and work more efficiently.

3. Adverse driving condition exception

When using the adverse driving condition exception, drivers can now extend the maximum “driving window” by up to 2 hours. For example, drivers with a maximum driving window of 14 hours can use the adverse driving condition exception to complete their drive time in a 16 hour driving window.

What was the rule before? In adverse driving conditions, drivers were limited to driving up to 2 hours beyond their maximum drive time. This did not impact their maximum driving window.
How does this impact your fleet? Drivers using the adverse driving condition exception will now have the flexibility to safely wait out adverse driving conditions or drive at a slower speed to avoid any incidents.

09/28/20 - Please Complete a DVIR Daily

Hello Team,

Thanks to the many of you who have been submitting DVIRs daily through the Samsara Driver App! There has been some confusion about what is required regarding DVIRs, and I have included clarification below:

1) Please submit a DVIR at the beginning of your shift each day.

2) You only need to submit one report (total) per day, covering both the truck and trailer.

3) Please include pictures of the front of the truck, back of the trailer, and sides of the truck/trailer.

-If there is damage, on any side of the unit, please use the picture of that side to focus on the damage.

-If there is no damage, please use the instructions below for taking good DVIR pictures.

-We regularly use your DVIR pictures to confirm unit details, to post to the website, to determine the date that damage or theft occurred, to check proper placement of transponders, etc. The pictures really are reviewed and used!

09/21/20 - Please Send in TripPaks and Update Your Driver App

Hello Team,

Two Announcements:

1) Thanks to everyone who was holding on to their TripPaks as we navigated the last few months of COVID. We're ready to start receiving paperwork, so please send in all TripPaks at your earliest convenience. Going forward, please submit your TripPaks each payday.

2) Please update your Samsara Driver App - Click the gear in the upper right-hand side of the home screen and select "Update App" if an update is available. With new HOS rule changes coming up, we want to ensure that all of you are running the most current version of the app to avoid any issues.

09/10/20 - New Weekly $100 Safety Bonus!!!

Hello Team,

Because of your great work in focusing your fuel purchases at TA/Petro, and the money that you are saving, we are excited to announce a new Weekly $100.00 Safety Bonus!

Here's how it works:

We will announce the winner each Monday, based on the driver with the highest Samsara Safety Score over the previous week (Monday through Sunday).
To be eligible, you must drive at least 2,000 miles during the scoring period.
Once we reach sixteen active drivers, we will begin to award $100.00 weekly bonuses to the two drivers with the highest scores who have met the mileage requirement. Currently, we have thirteen drivers, so anything you can do to help us recruit three more qualified drivers will increase the bonuses available!
In the event of a tie, the bonus will go to the driver with the higher number of miles during the scoring period.
When you win a bonus, that money will automatically be added to your paycheck. If you would prefer to have bonus money added to your fuel card, please send an email to admin@nationalflatbed.com requesting that.

We are also going to be phasing out the quarterly fuel bonus after this quarter. There will still be fuel bonuses awarded in early October for those drivers with the highest percentage of fuel purchased at TA/Petro in Q3. Your continued focus on purchasing fuel at TA/ Petro is what is making this safety bonus possible. With this new bonus, individuals can win more bonus cash than previously possible and more drivers can win bonuses throughout the year. Please keep up the good work and please continue to maximize your purchases at TA/Petro!

07/13/20 - Operation Safe Driver Week is July 12-18 With a Focus on Speeding

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2020 Operation Safe Driver Week will go on as scheduled, July 12-18. During this week-long traffic enforcement safety initiative, law enforcement personnel throughout North America will be looking for drivers who are engaging in unsafe driving behaviors on our roadways. Identified drivers will be pulled over by law enforcement and may be issued a warning or citation.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, less traffic may be encouraging some drivers to ignore traffic safety laws, including speed limits. Despite there being far fewer vehicles on the road due to COVID-19 stay-at-home orders, many jurisdictions are seeing a severe spike in speeding.
As the number of vehicles on roadways decreased in March and April, average speeds measured during the first week of April increased significantly in the five largest U.S. metropolitan areas. According to recent data, the average speed on interstate highways, state highways and expressways in those areas increased by as much as 75% compared to January and February.
In New York City, transportation officials reported an increase of more than 60% in the number of speed camera tickets issued in March compared to a year ago. At the same time, traffic was down more than 90% compared to January.
In Washington, D.C., traffic decreased 80% in March compared to January, while officials recorded a 20% increase in March speeding tickets. Of those tickets, violations for driving 21-25 mph over the speed limit rose by nearly 40%.
Over just one weekend, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, police charged 18 drivers with stunt driving, with speeds of 80-106 mph on the Don Valley Parkway, a major freeway that’s limited to 55 mph.
California reported an increase in speeding violations and although the California Highway Patrol’s call volume has decreased, the crashes they have recently responded to have been worse.
Tucson Police reported a 40% increase in one-vehicle wrecks, which usually happens when a driver’s going so fast they lose control.
In Minnesota, motor vehicle crashes and fatalities more than doubled compared to the same time period in previous years. Half those deaths were related to speeding or careless or negligent driving.
In Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska and Utah, police have clocked highway speeds of more than 100 mph.
Chicago and Los Angeles went from travel speed increases of 35-38% above average to 74-75% above average in just one week.
To address this alarming trend of increased speeding on our roadways during the pandemic, CVSA selected speeding as the focus area for this year’s Operation Safe Driver Week.
“It’s essential that this enforcement initiative, which focuses on identifying and deterring unsafe driving behaviors, such as speeding, go on as scheduled,” said CVSA President Sgt. John Samis with the Delaware State Police. “As passenger vehicle drivers are limiting their travel to necessary trips and many commercial motor vehicle drivers are busy transporting vital goods to stores, it’s more important than ever to monitor our roadways for safe transport.”
Historically, drivers’ actions have contributed to 94% of all traffic crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Traffic Safety Facts report. And although NHTSA’s 2018 highway crash fatality data showed a 2.4% decline in overall fatalities, the number of fatal crashes involving large trucks increased by 0.9%.
“While, of course, we’re pleased to see a decrease in the overall number of fatalities, it was also devastating to learn that the number of fatalities involving large trucks increased. Any increase whatsoever in roadway fatalities is unacceptable,” said Sgt. Samis.
Data shows that traffic enforcement interactions between drivers and law enforcement reduces targeted problematic behaviors. CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week aims to reduce high-risk driving behaviors through traffic enforcement strategies.
In addition to a focus on speeding, examples of other dangerous driver behaviors that law enforcement will track during Operation Safe Driver Week include distracted driving, failure to use a seatbelt, following too closely, improper lane change, reckless or aggressive driving, failure to obey traffic control devices, evidence of drunk or drugged driving, etc.

07/11/20 - Reminder: Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports

All drivers are required to do pre- and post-trip inspections and must submit a Driver Vehicle Inspection Report if any issues are found. If you do not find any issues during your inspection, you do not need to complete or submit the report. To report an issue, please call Tim and email a completed report form to admin@nationalflatbed.com. DVIR forms are available on the Forms/Paperwork page.

There are also DVIR form booklets available for you at the terminal. If you do not currently have DVIRs in your possession, please print a few copies from the Forms/Paperwork page and then grab a booklet next time you are near the terminal.

07/10/20 - Record Detention Times on the BOL

If loading or unloading is taking longer than 2 hours, please remember to record in and out times on your BOL and attempt to have an onsite representative sign/initial next to them.

No one wants to pay more than they have to (including shippers/brokers) but if we do not record the times on the BOL, we don't have a chance at recovering detention and paying you for the downtime.

06/01/20 - PA Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine Area Expanded

Twelve counties in Pennsylvania have been added to the Spotted Lanternfly (SPL) Quarantine area. That brings Pennsylvania to a total of twenty-six counties under quarantine. Northern Delaware is also under quarantine.

Click here for a map of the Pennsylvania and Delaware SPL Quarantine Area.

We are currently in the prime season for Spotted Lanternflies, and you are not unlikely to see them when travelling through PA. There will be a corresponding increase in law enforcement checking for Spotted Lanternfly permits and inspection sheets, and we need you to be conscious of the following requirements:

All trucks delivering to or receiving from the quarantine area are required to

1) Carry a Spotted Lanternfly Permit

2) Inspect the truck, and any received cargo, before departing the quarantine area

3) Keep records of all inspections.

Trucks that travel through the quarantine area without stopping are not required to be inspected.

For more information on the the Spotted Lanterfly Quarantine, click here.

05/19/20 - Administrative Action Letters Sent in Error by ADOT

ADOT recently implemented a number of system changes and updates. One of these changes resulted in the distribution of erroneous Administrative Action letters to a large number of AZ-CDL holders. These letters state that "In the interest of public health, safety and welfare, effective on (date), your driving privileges will be withdrawn." Many drivers received four or more copies of this letter.

If these letters are received at your mailing address, please make us aware, but don't panic - these letters were sent in error to a large number of drivers. We'll look into each letter as it is received to ensure that there are no issues that merit response.

04/16/20 - Thank You For Your Work!!!

As you may know, the President took some time this afternoon to express America's appreciation for you and what you do every day.

We want to echo that appreciation and to thank you for your daily sacrifice and service.

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, it has made abundantly clear whose roles are essential, and it has increased public awareness of your importance.

Without question, you are vital to this economy, this country, and the quality of life that we enjoy.

Thank you for your continued hard work in the midst of this pandemic.

Please stay safe, follow the previous instructions on PPE, cleaning, and social distancing, and let us know what we can do help you as you carry our nation both during this time of crisis and as we move towards recovery.

04/10/20 - Change to Fueling Rules

Coronavirus has had an enormous impact on the economy, shipping volumes, and freight rates. Even after the pandemic ends, there is no guarantee of a quick return to normal.

Until further notice, please limit fuel purchases at non-TA/Petros to no more than 50 gallons, enough to get you to the next TA/Petro.

If you need to purchase more than 50 gallons, because of oversize routing or lack of TA/Petro availability, please call Josh first so he can note the reason on the fuel report.

The savings that we get from our TA/Petro discount are substantial, and the cost of not using it is also substantial. In March, as a result of purchasing fuel from stops other than TA/Petros, the company spent $2,361.00 more than if we had bought all of our fuel at TA/Petros. Let's maximize our fuel savings so that we can pass it on to our customers and keep on rolling!

04/03/20 - Please Purchase and Use Masks and Gloves

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, there are an increasing number of public orders requiring the wearing of masks when in public. While there is not currently a nation-wide order requiring the wearing of masks, we ask that you please purchase masks and gloves if available, by either using your company credit card or submitting an expense reimbursement.

Currently, those areas that require the wearing of masks in public, such as Laredo, TX and the State of Pennsylvania, are making allowances for the use of bandannas when masks are not available.

We encourage you to wear a mask when in public, and require that you wear a mask (or bandanna that completely covers your nose and mouth) whenever in public in any area currently under a public order that requires it.

To be clear, a paper or cloth mask is all that is required and you should not attempt to purchase an N-95 respirator. Please see the attached document from the PA Department of Health for clarification on what types of masks should be used, and by who.

03/30/20 - Truck Cleaning Recommendations

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, we cannot urge you strongly enough to guard your own health and to do what you can to minimize the risk of infection for both yourself and others.

The Federal Government currently predicts 100,000 to 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 "if we do things almost perfectly." Please let that sink in for a second. Please also be aware that this virus hits smokers and people with underlying health conditions harder than it does those who make healthier choices and do not have underlying conditions.

Following the prevention recommendations that we have laid out previous, and which can be here, will dramatically decrease your risk of contracting COVID-19. One of those recommendations regards the cleaning of surfaces in your vehicle at the beginning and end of every shift. Click here for a checklist for you to complete each time you clean the interior of your truck.

Currently, we are recommending the use of an alcohol solution that contains at least 70% alcohol. There are many other disinfectants that are also effective against COVID-19, but many of them also create noxious fumes and can be harmful to the interior of your truck.

As always, if you have any questions please let us know right away. Thank you for your hard work and please do what you can to stay healthy!

03/20/20 - COVID-19 Information Page is Up

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to develop, we will update the COVID-19 Information Page regularly with useful information, including announcements that have also been sent via email. To visit the COVID-19 Information Page, click here.

02/07/20 - Reminder: Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports

01/01/20 - Reminder: Send in TripPaks Every Payday

Please send in a TripPak each pay period. To make it easy to remember, try to send one each payday. Each TripPak should contain the following:

load documentation:
fuel receipts
scale tickets
reimbursement forms w/ receipts
credit card transaction forms w/ receipts
inspection documentation

For those with a company credit card, we need to get all receipts for credit card transactions ASAP so that we can finish out the accounting for 2019. Please send in your TripPaks ASAP - Thanks!

11/19/19 - AOBRD to ELD Transition Coming on 12/04/19

Currently, all of National Flatbed's Zonar tablets are running in "Automated On-Board Recording Device" (AOBRD) mode. The FMCSA requires that we change it to "Electronic Logging Device" (ELD) mode by December 16. Our scheduled transition date is 12/04/19. For more information and resources to help you make the transition, visit the AOBRD to ELD Transition Page.

08/19/19 - Company Fitness Program Opportunity

Life on the road is tough, and it can be almost impossible to make fitness a priority. Sure, everyone has to pass their medical exams to keep their CDLs, but that's a pretty low bar when it comes to driver health and quality of life.

In combating these challenges, we are excited to offer a voluntary driver fitness program by providing each driver who commits to a twelve-week exercise program with an X3 Complete Home Gym. For more information, visit the Fitness Program Page.

06/13/19 - Major Discount at TA/Petro

We have negotiated a GREAT discount with TA/Petro, in line with what much larger fleets have been able to negotiate. While we're not requiring any drivers to only use TA/PETRO for their stops, we do encourage everyone to please increase usage of TA/PETRO as these savings allow us to reinvest in pay, benefits, and better equipment. We are also instituting a quarterly TA/Petro Discount Fuel Bonus. For more information, visit the Fuel Discount Program Page.

05/22/19 - Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine in PA

Currently, thirteen counties in Pennsylvania and areas of New Castle County in Delaware are under quarantine to prevent the spread of Spotted Lanternfly, a species of invasive insect that is doing enormous economic damage to the areas where it has been introduced. All drivers delivering to or receiving from the quarantine area are required to carry a Spotted Lanternfly Permit, perform a truck and cargo inspection prior to exiting the quarantine area, and to keep records of all inspections. For more information, visit the Training Resources Page.

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