Federal Surplus Property for Public Entities & Eligible Nonprofit Organizations

The Federal Surplus Property Program enables eligible organizations to obtain property that the federal government no longer needs. Types of property include automobiles, trucks, boats, construction equipment, aircraft, machine tools, compressors, generators, medical equipment, electronics, food preparation items, office furniture, food, and many others. In Wisconsin, this program is administered by the Department of Administration (DOA).

Eligible Organizations

Eligible organizations include:

State and public agencies
Nonprofit educational and public health activities, including programs for the homeless and impoverished
Nonprofit and public programs for the elderly
Public airports
Educational activities of special interest to the armed services
Special categories

Accessing the Program

All equipment received through the Program is transferred direct to the customer.

Authorized users can search for federal surplus property on the Personal Property Management System (PPMS) website (http://ppms.gov/) using an assigned login and password.. To receive a login and password, your organization must have an approved application on file to obtain property. Please contact WIFederal@wisconsin.gov to request a login.

If you find something that you are interested in, contact our office at WIFederal@wisconsin.gov and provide the Item Name and Item Control Number. We will review your request for potential acquisition.

Program Costs

The per item service charge is 5% of the original acquisition cost established by the Federal Government, or a minimum of $50. The service charge reflects costs associated with operating the program.

Customers are responsible for paying the transportation costs associated with items acquired through the Program.

Program Rules & Restrictions

To ensure federal property is provided to eligible organizations for proper utilization of federal resources, the federal law requires certain restrictions be placed on equipment. The Federal General Services Administration (GSA) has the responsibility to oversee the program nationwide and GSA conducts reviews of the operations on a routine basis. To learn more about GSA and their policies, please visit the links below:

Federal law specifies the terms and conditions applying to the receipt and use of surplus property. Some of the general requirements are:

1. Items must be acquired for organizational purposes. ITEMS MAY NOT BE ACQUIRED FOR PERSONAL USE.

2. Items must be placed in use within 12 months of receipt and used for a period of 12 months thereafter. Longer restriction periods may apply to certain or special items. Items not being utilized by an organization in accordance with this requirement must be reported back to the Wisconsin Federal Surplus Property Program for transfer or other disposition.

3. During the restricted period of use, the organization shall not sell, trade, lease, lend, bail, encumber, or otherwise dispose of such items without the prior written approval of GSA through DOA.

4. Cannibalization or secondary use of an item for purposes other than its original intended use may be approved at the time it is first acquired or subsequently by an organization submitting an acceptable written request and justification.

Program Eligibility

Eligibility may be granted to any governmental entity or public agency established by or pursuant to state law, including education, health, and public service organizations. DOA abides by GSA’s nondiscrimination policy.

Eligible entities include non-profit, tax-exempt health or educational organizations, including medical institutions, hospitals, clinics, health centers, schools, colleges, schools for the mentally disabled, child care centers, and programs for the elderly and homeless that are funded or authorized by specific federal legislation. Other non-profit, tax-exempt organizations may also be eligible.

To find out whether you are eligible, email us at WIFederal@wisconsin.gov. Download the Eligibility Application. Spanish version is available upon request.

Public Agencies and Nonprofit Tax-Exempt Organizations should email completed applications to WiFederal@wisconsin.gov (preferred). You may also mail completed applications to:

Department of Administration
Federal Surplus Property Program
PO Box 7867
Madison, WI 53707-7867

WIFederal@wisconsin.gov (preferred)

Eligibility and Compliance:

Cheryl Edgington, (608) 266-1060

Property Screeners: