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Daniel Kehrer

Guide to Federal Government Auctions

Bid online for equipment and other items for your business

By Daniel Kehrer, Editor, Business.com & Work.com

The range of business-related items available on a daily basis from government surplus, seized and forfeited property is astounding. It includes everything from agricultural, marine, communications, computer and construction equipment, to furniture, tools, industrial machinery, real estate, medical and dental equipment and a vast range of trucks and other vehicles.

Bidding in government surplus auctions was once a time-consuming and cumbersome process. But since Uncle Sam saw the light and shifted to a Web-based system, browsing available items, submitting bids and obtaining your goods has become almost as easy as buying on eBay. Three top-level things you need to know:

  1. The action in government auctions is now centered in one place called GSAauctions.gov.
  2. Complete a simple registration process at the Web site.
  3. Start bidding.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done


Go to the federal government's auction central

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is basically the business arm of the federal government, and is responsible for auctioning off all excess and surplus federal assets.
I recommend: GSAauctions.gov is the single centralized government site for auctions of government surplus, seized and forfeited property. GSA has gone to an "all electronic" system that centers on this site. Property ranges from commonplace items like office equipment, to hard to find items like heavy machinery, airplanes, vessels and much more. Visit often to see the constantly-changing list of items for bid.

Register to take part in auctions

It's one of the simplest government registration procedures you'll encounter as a small business owner.
I recommend: The confidential registration process is open to both individuals and businesses, and requires a valid credit card. The way you register will determine how your information is displayed on your paperwork.

Browse the complete online catalog of items for sale

Thousands of items may be available on any given day.
I recommend: You can browse all auctions from the GSA Auctions homepage. Click on any of the categories to get a listing of the items available in that category, broken down by state. While browsing is open to anyone, registration and login are required to bid on items.

Get your auction questions answered

You'll likely have questions about the registration and bidding process.
I recommend: Click on FAQs at the top of the GSA Auctions homepage for a good list of frequently asked questions.

Discover helpful pricing information

Before you bid on items – especially big-ticket items such as vehicles, boats or even aircraft – check online pricing guides.
I recommend: These online pricing guides can help: Edmunds, Aircraft Blue Book, iBoats, Kelly Blue Book, NADA, Hemmings, Used Boat Price Guide and Carfax Vehicle History Reports.

Check for non-Internet sales, too

GSA has a special site for types of sales that include: live auction, fixed price, drop-by, negotiated and sealed bid.
I recommend: Select your geographic location for scheduled sales in your area.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

  • GSA Auctions is your entrance into the world of electronic bidding on a wide array of Federal government property assets for sale.
  • All registered participants will be able to bid on individual items or items in "lots" within specified time frames.
  • Once you have completed the registration with GSA Auctions, you will receive a confirmation email. You must confirm receipt of this email by clicking on the link provided within the email message in order to activate your account.
  • If you are the winning bidder, you will receive an e-mail from GSA Auctions with details of payment terms and pickup/delivery instructions.
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Recommended Solution Providers

GSA Auctions: Government Site for Auctions
General Services Administration electronic auction for government surplus, seized and forfeited property.

Department of the Treasury: Seized Property Auctions
Customs, IRS, USSS and ATF seized and abandoned property auctions.

IRS: Auctions
Internal Revenue Service sales of real and personal property seized or acquired for nonpayment of taxes.

TreasuryDirect
Provides schedules and results of auctions.

SBA: Property for Sale
Small Business Administration acquired property available for purchase by the public.

USPS: Auctions
Postal Service public auctions on the sale of unclaimed, damaged, and claim-paid merchandise.

CWS Marketing Group
Contracted to market and sell personal and real property for the U.S. Treasury Department including U. S. Customs Service, IRS, Secret Service and ATF.

FedBid: Marketplace
Online marketplace for government.

Bid4Assets
Assets for auction from government and private industry.

AuctionsPass
Auctions on behalf of government and police agencies and auction finder.

Best Sites to Learn More

About.com: Government Auctions
Information, articles and resources on free sources for auctions.

FirstGov: Government Sales and Auctions
New, seized, and surplus merchandise available online by online auction, public auction or sealed bid.

GSA: Guide to Federal Government Sales
U.S. General Services Administration Federal Consumer Information Center

GSA: Surplus Federal Property for Citizens
GSA sales systems and programs for individuals and businesses.

National Auctioneers Association
Search engine to find auctions including government and municipal auctions with resources and buyer guides.

Department of the Treasury: Auctions
List of treasury and other government agencies auctions.

Bureau of the Public Debt: Auctions
Information on the auction of treasury bills, notes, bonds, and TIPS with auction schedules and recent and historical auction results and rates.

GovernmentAuctions.org
Guide to government auctions and foreclosures.

Best Blogs and Forums

GovernmentAuctions.org: Blog
Discusses issues related to finding and getting items at government and police auctions, and on using the Government Auctions Guide website.

Government Auction: Blog
News and information on government property seized and auctioned off.



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