Items Federal Surplus Eslpod Property Government Requires Agencies

When the "federal" (national) government has "surplus" (extra and unnecessary) "property" (things that one owns), it "goes through" (participates in) a property "disposal" (getting rid of something) "process" (a series of steps that are followed in a particular way). The General Services Administration (GSA) requires that federal "agencies" (departments) report their surplus property. It also requires that agencies "acquire" (buy) surplus items before they buy new items. This "minimizes" (reduces) expenses.

If federal agencies do not need the surplus items, they may be offered to state and local organizations, and then to "nonprofits" (organizations not intended to make money). If there is still no interest in the items, they may be offered to "the public" (ordinary citizens not affiliated with any particular agency or organization).

Many unwanted items end up at "surplus stores" or "army/navy stores." Some of the items are new, and others are "used" (have been used by someone else), but still have a "usable life" (can still be used by others). Surplus stores are similar to thrift stores and other "secondhand stores" (stores where used items are sold), but they often sell items "in bulk" (in very large quantities).

"Real property" (real estate; buildings and land) that the federal government no longer needs is often sold though "property auctions." These are events at which goods are sold "to the highest bidder" (to the person who is willing to pay more than anyone else for a particular item). The items that are "up for sale" (being sold) are described to "potential" (possible) bidders before the auction so that they can "place" (make) "informed bids" (offers that are reasonable and reflect the value of the item).