Federal Government Auctions
Bid online for equipment and other items for your business
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:- The action in government auctions is now centered in one place called GSAauctions.gov.
- Complete a simple registration process at the Web site.
- Start bidding.
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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: 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.
Try: Select your geographic location for scheduled sales in your area.
- 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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