GSA's Personal Property Sales

Surplus personal property is sold to the general public by competitive offerings for items the federal government no longer needs. "Personal property" refers to everything from ordinary items to specialized equipment. "Real property" refers to buildings and land.

Are you interested in purchasing used government personal property, including vehicles, tools, machinery, or office equipment? GSA sells used personal property for civilian federal agencies. GSA's sales include a wide variety of items for sale to the public that would interest both individuals and businesses.

How GSA Advertises

• Occasional buyers may obtain information about upcoming sales by dialing GSA's regional telephone information lines for recorded messages or visiting GSA Auctions® and GSA Surplus Personal Property Sales. (Note: Not all the regions have recorded messages.)
• GSA also advertises in local newspapers and on radio, and sometimes posts notices in public buildings.
• Highly specialized sales, or those that might generate interest nationwide, are announced in national newspapers, trade journals, and periodicals.
• GSA also advertises sales of national interest at the FedBizOpps website. FedBizOpps is the single Government Point of Entry (GPE) for federal government procurement opportunities over $25,000. This site is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and allows vendors to register to receive email notification of opportunities in their areas of interest. Visit the site or call (877) 472-3779.

How to Find GSA Sales

GSA offers items that are no longer needed by the federal government as well as exchange/sale property for sale to the general public through several means.

GSA Auctions®

The GSA Auctions® site was developed to complete GSA's transformation to an all electronic asset management system. The site offers the general public the opportunity to bid electronically on a wide array of personal property. The auctions are completely web-enabled, allowing all registered participants to bid on single or multiple items (lots) within specified timeframes. Visit GSA Auctions®.

Surplus Personal Property Sales

For surplus personal property items, other than items for electronic bidding through GSA Auctions®; GSA offers these types of sales:

• Drop-by;
• Fixed-price;
• Live auctions;
• Negotiated;
• Sealed bid; and
• Spot bid.

To view Surplus Personal Property Sales, select the appropriate geographic location for a listing of scheduled sales. Visit GSA's Surplus Personal Property Sales system.

For additional information on GSA sales of used federal personal property, go to Sales Offices.

Visit GSA Fleet Vehicle Sales or GSA Auctions®.

Examples of Personal Property that GSA Sells

• Agricultural, mining and construction vehicles and machinery;
• Cameras and projectors;
• Boats and airplanes;
• Communications equipment;
• Computers, printers, copiers and typewriters;
• Food preparation and servicing equipment;
• Hardware, plumbing, heating and electrical equipment;
• Jewelry and exotic collectibles;
• Medical and laboratory equipment;
• Office and household furniture;
• Recreational and athletic equipment;
• Tools; and
• Cars, SUVs, vans, trucks.

How GSA Sells Surplus and Exchange/Sale Federal Personal Property

GSA offers different methods of sale: auctions (offline), drop-by, fixed price, online auctions, negotiated, sealed bid, and spot bid sales. No preference is given to individuals or groups, including veterans, senior citizens, or religious organizations.

• Auctions (offline) - GSA holds an auction when there are a large number of items for sale in one location. In these cases, GSA uses traditional auction methods. Prospective bidders will receive descriptions, bidding instructions, and an opportunity to inspect the merchandise ahead of time or on the day of sale. To view Surplus Personal Property Sales, select the appropriate geographic location for a listing of scheduled sales. Visit GSA's Surplus Personal Property Sales System.

• Drop-by Sale - This type of sale is a combination of an auction, spot bid and sealed bid sale. The sale is advertised with inspection and bid the same day and time. Bidders must be present to participate. A secured bid box is placed at the sale location. The bidder inspects the property, fills out the bid card and drops it in the bid box. The box is opened after the sale. The bid cards are evaluated and the award is made to the highest bidder. They are notified either by mail or by phone. Payment and removal are similar to a sealed bid.

• Fixed-Price Sale - At fixed-price sales (also referred to as "Retail"), GSA posts the selling prices on the property and sells items on a first-come basis.

• GSA Auctions® - Online auction sales offer web-enabled auctions, a wide variety of personal property, electronic bidding, bids by proxy, instant feedback, and online payment. Visit GSA's government site for auctions at GSA Auctions® for item descriptions and images of items for sale.

• Negotiated Sale - Property is offered to a selected group of individuals who negotiate the price through the Contracting Officer. It is similar to an auction. The bidder makes an offer and can raise his/her offer if he/she is low.

• Sealed Bid - GSA sells by sealed bid when the sale items are in scattered locations. For a sealed bid sale, GSA makes an Invitation for Bid (IFB) available to prospective buyers through the mail, or via Internet. The IFB contains: item descriptions, sale terms and conditions, item locations, inspection times, and a bid form. If a customer decides to bid, the customer completes the bid form and mails it to the address shown in the IFB. GSA must receive a bid by the opening date and time indicated on the IFB. Late bids are not accepted under any circumstances. GSA opens all bids publicly.

• Spot Bid - A spot bid sale is similar to a "silent auction" with bids written down rather than voiced. Property is offered item-by-item and awarded to the highest bidders. Bidders may bid only once per item, unless the item is re-offered.

Note: GSA employees or spouse or minor child of GSA employees, or their agents, may not bid on federal personal property. An employee of another agency may bid if he/she is not prohibited from doing so by his/her employing agency's rules or regulations.