Surplus Property Donation Program

Each State and territory has a State Agency for Surplus Property (SASP). These agencies were established to receive Federal surplus personal property and to donate it to public agencies and certain non profit, tax-exempt agencies.

The General Services Administration (GSA) has the responsibility to administer this program and has issued regulations for its implementation. Law enforcement agencies that are enrolled in the 1033 Program are among the governmental agencies eligible to obtain property from their SASP.

Examples of Property Donated for Public Safety and Corrections

Illinois Department of Transportation: Two Oshkosh snow blower trucks, acquisition value of $160,000, were donated for a service charge of $16,000.
Dermott, Arkansas: A 350-kilowatt generator for emergency use was donated to provide power to the city and to the Arkansas Department of Corrections 500-bed facility.
Alabama Correctional Industries: More than 40,000 yards of white sailcloth were donated and converted into clothing and sheets for the State prison system.

Differences between 1033 Program and SASP Operations

SASPs have access to personal property from all Federal sources, while the 1033 Program handles exclusively Department of Defense personal property.
The 1033 Program transfers excess personal property, that is, property in the first 21 days of screening at the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office (DRMO). Only property that survives these 21 days becomes available to SASPs as surplus personal property.
SASPs charge recipient agencies a processing fee of up to 10 percent of the acquisition cost of the surplus property, while State coordinators for the 1033 Program facilitate the transfer of property without charge.
As a general rule in the 1033 Program, LEAs must screen and pick up property at DRMOs and the property is acquired as is. SASPs perform the screening and transportation functions for their customers and often will repair or refurbish property. In addition, because of their networking, staff, and transportation resources, SASPs can draw from DRMOs worldwide.

Rules of Property Utilization

Property requested must be needed and useable by the requesting agency and must not be for personal use.
Property is offered as is (although it may have been repaired or refurbished by the SASP) and is transferred without warranty.
Property must be placed in use within 12 months of its acquisition and used for at lease 12 months.
Property with an original acquisition cost of $5,000 or more will have additional periods of restricted use, as will vehicles, aircraft, and vessels.

Questions?

For more information about the Surplus Property Donation Program visit the web site of the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property (NASASP) or call your SASP.

Last updated: June 23, 2008