SurplusFAQ

Local Government

	What information about DOAS Surplus Property can I obtain through the Internet?
	By visiting the DOAS Surplus Property Web site, you can obtain contact information, eligibility requirements and photos of select property currently available through the program.

	Is my agency eligible to participate in the surplus property program?
	Customers eligible to participate in the surplus property program include state and local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations providing community services. Please contact the surplus office to see if your agency is currently enrolled in the program. For specific eligibility requirements, you can contact DOAS Surplus eligibility personnel or download the information and forms from our Web site.

	Can I get property for my personal use?
	All property received through the program must be used by the agency. You may acquire property for personal use only through public internet auctions. View property available for public bid.

	What types of property can my agency obtain from DOAS Surplus Property?
	Any property the state and federal government designates as surplus property is available. Common types of property include office furniture, computer equipment, motor vehicles and heavy equipment. Surplus Property will also assist with locating and acquiring non-traditional surplus property items. Requested property must meet agency mission requirements.

	Will my agency have to pay for surplus property?
	Yes. Surplus Property is funded through service charges and sale proceeds. Fees vary by property type and condition.

	Where is the property located?
	Surplus property (state and federal) is generally disposed of "in place," so it is located at the disposing agency. You may view the state property available from state agencies at Property Available to Eligible Donees. Federal surplus may be viewed through GSAxcess.

Are there restrictions on property received?

Yes. Generally, property must be put into use and used for one year. During this period, the property may not be sold, traded, cannibalized, or destroyed without Surplus Property permission. Depending on the property and whether it is federal or state surplus, there are other restrictions. Please discuss these situations with the surplus office.

	What opportunities are available to the general public?
	Sales to the public are conducted through commercial internet auction providers.

	How do I purchase a vehicle for my personal from Surplus Property?
	Vehicles are sold to the public through our internet vendors or live auto auction. See instructions for acquiring a vehicle through Red Top Auto Auctions.

Non-Profit Organization

	Is my organization eligible to participate in the surplus property program?
	Nonprofit organizations (IRS 501 designation) have very specific eligibility criteria depending on the services provided, not the nonprofit status. An organization may qualify for state, but not federal surplus. Please contact the surplus office to see if your organization is currently enrolled in the program. For specific eligibility requirements, you may contact DOAS Surplus eligibility personnel or download the information and forms from our Web site.

How long does it take to establish eligibility?

If you don't know if your organization is already enrolled, it only takes a few minutes to check. If the organization is not enrolled, it shouldn't take longer than 40 days to process an application. It depends entirely on the accuracy and completeness of the application and supporting documentation. The organization must be available for a site visit and orientation class.

	Can I get property for my personal use?
	No, not through the program. Property must be used for and by the organization and it may not be given or donated to any individual(s). Individuals must be authorized in writing by their organization to access or acquire surplus property through this program. You may acquire property for personal use only through public internet sales.

	As a nonprofit organization, what types of property can I obtain from DOAS Surplus Property?
	Depending on the organization's eligibility status, any property that state and/or federal governments designate as surplus property is available. Common types of property include office furniture, computer equipment, motor vehicles, and heavy equipment. Surplus Property will also assist with locating and acquiring non-traditional surplus property items. Requested property must meet the agency mission requirements.

	Will my organization have to pay for surplus property?
	Yes. Surplus Property is funded through service charges and sale proceeds. Fees vary by property type and condition. Remember, "nonprofit" is not the same as "tax exempt." Georgia sales taxes are collected on surplus transactions unless you have a valid sales tax-exemption.

	Where is the property located?
	Surplus property (state and federal) is generally disposed of "in place," so it is located at the disposing agency. You may view the state property available to nonprofit organizations. Federal surplus may be viewed through GSAxcess.

	Are there restrictions on property received?
	Yes. Generally, property must be put into use and used for one year. During this period, the property may not be sold, traded, cannibalized, or destroyed without Surplus Property's permission. Depending on the property and whether it is federal or state surplus, there are other restrictions. Please discuss these situations with the surplus office.

	What opportunities are available to the general public?
	SSales to the public are conducted through commercial internet service providers. View a current list of available items on our public internet sites.

	How do I purchase a vehicle from Surplus Property?
	Vehicles are sold to the public through our internet vendors or live auto auction. See instructions for acquiring a vehicle through Red Top Auto Auctions.

Public

	What information about DOAS Surplus Property can I obtain through the Internet?
	By visiting the DOAS Surplus Property Web site, you can view contact information, eligibility requirements and photos of select property currently available through the program.

Why are there "donee" and "public" inventory lists?

State surplus property is made available to other state agencies, local governments and eligible nonprofit organizations (donees) before it is offered to the public. This saves tax dollars by extending the life of property and reusing rather than buying new.

	Am I eligible to participate in the surplus property program?
	Customers eligible to participate in the surplus property program include state and local governments, eligible nonprofit organizations providing health, educational, or homeless services, and small businesses working with the Small Business Administration. For specific eligibility requirements, you can contact DOAS Surplus eligibility personnel or download the information and forms from our Web site. Property is available to the general public through internet auctions.

Where can I find the list of available property?

The list of property for sale to the public can be seen here.

Why does the state use private internet sellers?

In 2005, state surplus moved to internet sales instead of live auctions to make property available to a larger audience. This saves the state money because it is able to move property more quickly. Internet auction companies were contracted with the state because of their ability to work with the public. You must be registered with each auction provider to participate.

	Why not just use one company?
	Each company has conditions such as restrictions on what can be sold or commission rates that vary. Surplus staff evaluates each sale to best match the item with the seller audience and conditions.

I was the high bidder when the auction closed, why didn't I win?

There could be several reasons:
Auto-bid: Internet auction companies have different "auto-bid" capabilities. The winning bidder may have had an auto-bid in place. Please contact the appropriate auction provider for information on this functionality.
Reserve: Surplus Property may have set a reserve to ensure that the state receives a certain amount for the property. If that amount was not met, the sale is incomplete.
Reserved Right: Surplus Property Division reserves the right to reject any or all bids.

	Will you pack and ship?
	No. Property is sold "as-is, where-is" and it is the buyer's responsibility to pack, load and ship all property.

	Why do you charge sale tax?
	Since the transfer of ownership (title) changes in Georgia for all internet sales, Georgia sales tax laws apply. Please notify the customer service representative before paying if you have sales tax exemption.

	Can I return something I don't want?
	No, all surplus sales are "as-is, where-is" and are final. Bidders are invited and strongly encouraged to inspect property before they bid.

	I can't place a bid, why not?
	Sometimes this may be a problem with the internet auction provider. Please contact them directly to resolve the issue. However, Surplus has the responsibility to protect the integrity of the process through the application of terms and conditions. The terms and conditions ensure equitable treatment of all customers while allowing us to accomplish our goal of appropriate property disposal. Violation of the terms and conditions may lead to disbarment from surplus sales. Please contact a customer service representative if you believe you have been unjustly disbarred.

	How do I purchase a vehicle from Surplus Property?
	Vehicles are sold to the public through our internet vendors or live auto auction. See instructions for acquiring a vehicle through Red Top Auto Auctions.

Small Business

What information about DOAS Surplus Property can I obtain through the Internet?

By visiting the DOAS Surplus Property Web site, you can view contact information, eligibility requirements and photos of select property currently available through the program.

	Is my business eligible to participate in the surplus property program?
	Only small business enrolled in the federal US Small Business Administration (SBA) 8a program are eligible to participate. Please contact your local SBA office for additional information.

	Can I get property for my own use?
	No. Property must be used for and by the business and it may not be given or donated to any individual(s). Individuals must be authorized in writing by their organization to access or acquire surplus property through this program. Sales to the public are conducted through commercial internet auction providers. View a current list of available items.

	As a small business, what types of property can I obtain from DOAS Surplus Property?
	Small businesses may only acquire federal property through this program. Requested property must support the business plan approved by the SBA. The SBA is responsible to determine if the requested property meets the business plan. Common types of property include office furniture, computer equipment, motor vehicles, and heavy equipment. Surplus Property will also assist these businesses with locating and acquiring non-traditional surplus property items. Requested property must meet agency mission requirements.

	Will my agency have to pay for surplus property?
	Yes. Surplus Property is funded through service charges and sale proceeds. Fees vary by property type and condition.

Where can I obtain surplus property?

Federal surplus property is generally disposed of "in place," so it is located at the disposing agency. Federal surplus may be viewed through GSAxcess

	Are there restrictions on property received?
	Yes. Generally, property must be put into use and used for one year. During this period, the property may not be sold, traded, cannibalized or destroyed without SBA permission. Depending on the property, there may be other restrictions. Please discuss these situations with the surplus office.

	What opportunities are available to the general public?
	Sales to the public are conducted through commercial internet service providers. View a current list of available items.

	How do I purchase a vehicle from Surplus Property?
	Vehicles are sold to the public through our internet vendors or live auto auction. See instructions for acquiring a vehicle through Red Top Auto Auctions.

State Government

	What information about DOAS Surplus Property can I obtain on this Web site?
	By visiting the DOAS Surplus Property Web site, you can obtain contact information, eligibility requirements and photos of select property currently available through the program.

	My agency needs to dispose of some property. What do we have to do?
	Every state agency has a designated property coordinator who is responsible for disposing and acquiring surplus property. Please contact the surplus office to determine who is your agency's property coordinator.

	Do all state assets have to go through Surplus Property?
	Yes. All surplus state personal property, regardless of acquisition cost or funding source must be disposed of through Surplus Property.

	My agency is looking for equipment. Where is the property located and how can we obtain it?
	Surplus property is generally disposed of "in place," so it is located at the disposing agency. State agencies may view Property Available to Eligible Donees. Federal property may be viewed through GSAxcess.

	What types of property can my agency obtain from DOAS Surplus Property?
	Any property that state and federal governments designate as surplus property is available. Common types of property include office furniture, computer equipment, motor vehicles and heavy equipment. Surplus Property will also assist with locating and acquiring of non-traditional surplus property items. Requested property must meet agency mission requirements.

	Are there restrictions on property received?
	Yes. Generally property must be put into use and used for one year. During this period, the property may not be sold, traded, cannibalized or destroyed without Surplus Property permission. Depending on the property and whether it is federal or state surplus, there are other restrictions. Please discuss these situations with the surplus office.

Can state employees participate in the surplus auctions?

Yes, unless your agency prohibits it, state employees (except DOAS) may purchase surplus property through public internet auctions. View property available for public bid

	How do I purchase a vehicle from Surplus Property?
	Vehicles are sold to the public through our internet vendors or live auto auction. See instructions for acquiring a vehicle through Red Top Auto Auctions.