Such a Deal—Save Money and Landfill Space

Have you heard of the statewide reuse program that lets you purchase surplus property at reduced cost from the State?  The Department of General Service’s Surplus Property Program (SPP) receives, stores, and reissues salvaged and surplus property from California State agencies. The program initially makes this property available to other State agencies, political subdivisions, and assistance organizations for a minimal service and handling fee.  If one of these organizations does not take the property, SPP invites the general public to purchase it on a cash-and-carry, first-come, first-served basis.

The Surplus Property Program also receives surplus materials and salvaged items that federal programs and agencies donate, and reissues them to qualified organizations. Organizations that may receive this property are state and local public agencies and nonprofit institutions. Unfortunately, materials from the federal program are not available to the general public.

The nature and quantity of material available from SPP varies.  The program maintains a list of all property available at its facilities at any one time. SPP’s goal is make its entire inventory available via the Internet so the public has an opportunity to merchandise preview ahead of time.  Customers can purchase a wide variety of goods ranging from office furniture, computers, and cleaning supplies to bicycles, playing cards, and bulletproof vests (available only to law enforcement agencies) for a fraction of their original costs.

CalTrans (California Department of Transportation) realized significant savings when it obtained office furnishings another agency sent to SPP. The agency no longer needed the furniture because it had moved into a building that "came with" furniture. CalTrans took the unneeded property and saved $1.5 million!

Recently, SPP found a new home for an unusual item—a 1976 armor-plated Cadillac owned by the U.S. State Department.  Because this vehicle could not be sold to the general public, SPP did not find a new owner for some time.  Staff persisted, however, and the Butte County Military Museum now has the vehicle on display. In addition, SPP recently gave a milling machine to the State Railroad Museum and a 25-foot Boston Whaler to the City of Clearlake for display at their landing. While most sales or donations are not quite as unique as these, they are nonetheless just as important to the ultimate buyer.

While SPP does a great job distributing property from its facilities, CalMAX can also play a role in surplus materials management. State agencies may use CalMAX to find homes for unwanted materials if the surplus property is declared "junk value".

To find out how you can take advantage of this State-sponsored reuse program, visit the Web site at http://www.pd.dgs.ca.gov/. The Department of General Services has two main warehouses from which most SPP’s activities take place.

The SPP accepts cash, VISA, or MasterCard.

Catch the reuse fever. Visit the Surplus Property Program location near you and save money as well as landfill space!

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Last updated: August 01, 2008