|
Overview of Surplus
Property Programs
There are many State and
Federal Surplus Property Programs. Most programs can donate
surplus property outright to your school or nonprofit
organization at no cost if you can arrange transportation.
Property may also be transferred in other ways. Some
property is sold for a fraction of its value by just asking
for it. Some is sold by sealed bid, some by internet bid or
by auction. Public Schools, School Libraries and School
Districts are considered to be Government. Parent Booster
groups are often organized as part of the School District
and may qualify as an eligible
Government or Nonprofit
organization. Community Schools, Community Colleges and
State Colleges and Universities can also be eligible
recipients of surplus property.
- Federal Surplus Property
Executive
Order 12999
requires all Federal agencies to give priority to
schools. This Order also makes it possible for school
representatives to deal directly with warehouse
facilities in each agency in addition to working with the
General
Services Administration
(GSA). Some warehouse facilities may not be aware of
Executive Order 12999 and one GSA representative advises
that you always keep a copy of the order with you when
visiting a warehouse for the first time. You also need to
have written authorization from your school or
organization and a picture ID. Some programs require your
school district to submit the names of authorized
representatives in writing in advance.
 | GSA Warehouses
receive property from other Federal agencies. The
Federal
Supply Service
in GSA promotes utilization, donation and sales of
property. The GSA also participates in a
property
transfer program
under
Executive
Order 12999.
There are four GSA Warehouses in Texas.
|
| While most federal
agencies give inventory to GSA, these agencies also
have their own surplus property programs and warehouse
facilities and transfer property to other customers
besides GSA. You will have to locate each agency's
surplus property program individually. Some large ones
are:
|
State Surplus Property
Any of the federal
programs may transfer property to any of the State
programs which may in turn donate to other State agencies
or schools and nonprofit organizations. They also sell
and auction property to the public.
See
List
of Surplus Property Programs by State
Texas Surplus Property
In our state,
Texas, each agency runs it own separate program and has
its own separate warehouses. Texas also has its own
General Services Commission (GSC) which receives property
from the Federal GSA Surplus Property Program and from
some of the hundreds of Texas State agencies. Many
agencies maintain an online searchable inventory for each
warehouse facility . Each federal and state agency stores
its surplus property in their own warehouses. Your State
GSC agency screens federal and state warehouses each
month for property they want transferred into their
warehouses to
fulfill
the needs of their customers.
Therefore, it is very important that you contact your
State GSC Office and communicate a list of property that
your school or group needs.
| General Services
Commission
Texas has a Surplus Property Program operated by the
Texas
General
Services Commission
and an online searchable
inventory
list by category.
When you locate items in inventory, call
1-800-722-3228 for more information.
Be sure and
request by fax the GSC Form for declaring the names
of Authorized Representatives for your school.
Their Newsletter can also be sent by fax.
|
GSC
Newsletter
Tammye Custer
w: (512) 475-3705
f: (512) 463-5018 |
GSC
Procurement and Marketing
Felipe Mayo
w: (512) 463-3224
felipe.mayo@gsc.state.tx.us
|
Other GSC Contacts in Austin:
Dan
Bremer,
Program Administrator (512) 463-4739
John Balterton,
Eligibility (512) 475-2453
Pedro Padilla,
Screening & Logistics (512) 463-8902
|
| The
Comptroller's
Office Surplus Property
Program
maintains its own online searchable
inventory
list by category.
Contact:
Martin Hollie
John Sharp, Texas Comptroller,
w: (512) 463-4681 f: (512)
480-9508
On school
letterhead, fax a list of your school's needs.
Specify type and quantity. Mention you heard about
the program from a parent. The Comptroller's Office
will notify you as they fill your requests, so keep
them informed of all of your needs as they
change. |
| Other Texas Govt
Agencies
They have to be checked individually to find out if
they have their own surplus property distribution
system and how it works. For example MHMR has one.
There are over 800 such Texas agencies.
See this
list
of agency phone
directories
which can be searched .
|
Obtaining Surplus Property for
Schools and Nonprofit Groups
Your group should consider starting a standing committee of
volunteer parents and teachers working under the direction
of your school principal to carry out the following
tasks:
- Collect and maintain a
list of your school's needs.
- Continually search all
of the available inventories.
- Regularly follow-up with
the agencies who are looking for your needs.
- Obtain and transport the
property.
What Kind of Property is Available?
Almost any category you
can think of is available. Here are just a few
examples:
 | Music Instruments, Sheet
Music, and even Uniforms |
| Athletic
Equipment |
| Automotive
Tools |
| Shop Tools and
Equipment |
| Audio, Video and
Television Equipment |
| Cafeteria and Restaurant
Furniture and Equipment |
| Office Furniture and
Equipment |
| Computers, Software and
Furniture |
| Building Construction
Materials |
| Heavy
Equipment |
| Grandstand Bleacher
seating |
| Vehicles |
|
|
