# Freight Costs Reset 2027 Bid Budgets

The Q4 2026 supply-chain outlook reports that diesel reached a record $6.291 in September, ISM new orders rose for a ninth consecutive month to 55.3, and freight wages increased 4.3% year over year. Although freight bills are easing as diesel prices fall, the outlook says the underlying transportation cost base has reset higher for 2027. Procurement teams and contractors with logistics-intensive requirements should account for both near-term fuel relief and a higher baseline when developing budgets and pricing bids.

- Revisit 2027 freight cost assumptions in bids and program budgets, including the reported wage increase and higher underlying cost base.
- Account for easing near-term freight bills without treating the decline in diesel prices as a return to prior cost levels.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Transportation
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Sources
- [Q4 2026 Supply Chain Outlook is out. Diesel hit a record $6.291 in Sept, ISM new orders grew a 9th straight month (55.3), freight wages +4.3% YoY. Freight bills ease as diesel falls, but the base cost has reset higher for 2027. 👇 https://t.co/nSvZP66FFr](https://x.com/bschoenbaechler/status/2113678137901092991) - twitter-fed-procurement