United States Department of Agriculture

Research, Education, and Economics

ARS CSREES ERS NASS

Bulletin

Title:	Reporting Excess Property

Number:	02-201

Date:	November 1, 2002	Expiration:	Until Rescinded

Originating Office:	Procurement and Property Division, Procurement and Property Branch, AFM/ARS

This Replaces:	N/A

Distribution:	All REE Employees

Introduction

Federal excess property is a valuable resource. It provides a tremendous savings to Federal agencies, State/local governments, eligible nonprofit institutions, and ultimately, savings to the taxpayer. Each year, the General Services Administration (GSA) transfers millions of dollars of Federal excess property to other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit educational activities, public health activities, and programs for the elderly and the homeless. GSA also generates millions of dollars of proceeds from public sales of Federal surplus property.

Policy

Federal Management Regulations requires agencies to report most all property that they no longer need as excess to GSA for possible transfer or donation. This includes personal property not listed on the official inventory.

It is very important to have a clear audit trail of property disposal actions. Therefore, managers/employees must not dispose of Government property unless they have written instructions from their property management officer.

Regardless of the original acquisition cost, managers/employees are responsible for

•	promptly reporting excess property,

•	not stockpiling excess property, and

•	assigning a valid condition code for each item.

Promptly reporting excess property increases the potential for re-use. Stockpiling excess for a long period of time diminishes the quality and condition of the excess. Accurate condition codes give potential users the information needed to help determine whether the excess will satisfy their needs. Please note that "Obsolete" is not a condition code. Although excess property may be obsolete to our needs, there are many potential donees that benefit from the Government's obsolete equipment. Valid disposal condition codes are:

1-New	X-Salvage

4-Usable	S-Scrap

7-Repairable

Property Management Officers will review excess reports and take the appropriate action, such as reporting excess for required USDA and GSA screening or providing written instructions authorizing local disposal.

Reporting excess REE property helps assure this valuable resource is available and accessible to the widest range of re-use customers. Eligible recipients know how to screen for available excess through GSA. Not reporting excess eliminates their opportunity to acquire it. Remember, your excess property may be another's treasure.

Please direct any questions concerning this information to your Property Management Officer or AFM's Personal Property Group on 202-720-7681.

/s/

LARRY R. CULLUMBER

Director

Procurement and Property Division