How to Participate in Government Auctions
What is sold
U.S. Department of Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security sell seized/forfeited property
throughout the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico through URS,
the national asset management contractor. A wide variety of items
are sold including cars, boats, airplanes, real estate, carpets, electronics, industrial goods, jewelry,
computer equipment, wearing apparel, and household goods. Items may be new or used and are sold in lots
ranging from single items to wholesale quantities. Real estate is also sold, including single-family
residences, warehouses, retail buildings, and operating businesses, such as apartment buildings, gas
stations, wine stores, and golf courses.
How items are sold
Over 100 public auctions are held at the times and locations listed below:
- Approximately every nine weeks in Edison, New Jersey and Los Angeles, California for personal property (General Order Merchandise).
- Over 100 times annually for real estate throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
- At other times and locations as merchandise becomes available.
Real estate is normally sold on-site at the property location; however, selected
real estate may be sold online.
Written bids are accepted at all personal property and real estate auctions.
How sales are advertised
A recorded message of upcoming auctions may be accessed
24 hours a day by calling the Public Auction Line at (703) 273-7373. Customer service representatives are
available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EasternTime to answer specific questions. E-mail notification is available at no charge for both personal property and real
property. Information on the CWS website includes merchandise featured, registration information, viewing and inspection opportunities, payment methods, and other information about the sales. Upcoming auctions are also advertised in local newspapers and on the Department of the Treasury's
website www.treas.gov/auctions/treasury/rp/realprop.html three weeks
prior to the sale date.
Terms of sale
All auctions are free and open to the public. In order to participate/bid
at auctions, a bidder registration card must be filled out at the auction location. Bidders must be over 18
years of age and have a government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license or passport in order to register.
Once the card is filled out, a bidder number will be issued. Registration is free, and catalogs are available
at preview and sale locations. Auction officials strongly encourage all interested parties to preview
property before bidding. Cash, cashier's check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover are
acceptable forms of payment for personal property auctions. Cashier's check is acceptable for real
property. Personal or business checks, bank letters, or letters of credit are not acceptable forms of payment.
For more information
Consult the Department of the Treasury website at
www.treas.gov/auctions/treasury/rp/ for real property sales information.
To obtain information about the real property program
or general and upcoming sales information contact:
URS (formerly known as EG&G Technical Services)
10687 Gaskins Way, Suite 101
Manassas, VA 20109
Telephone: (703) 273-7373
e-mail: realproperty@egginc.com
To obtain information about the personal property program (GO merchandise)
or general and upcoming sales information contact:
URS (formerly known as EG&G Technical Services)
10687 Gaskins Way, Suite 101
Manassas, VA 20109
Telephone: (703) 330-4120
e-mail: auctions@egginc.com
Other Resources
The official online resource for finding
out the latest on government sales
and auctions is the Shop Government Auctions page at USA.gov
usa.gov. This page takes
all of the Federal Government's sales
and auctions of property, real estate,
cars, souvenirs, books, and gifts and
organizes it in one easy-to-find location. Sales and auctions
are broken down into four categories:
- Federal Government Surplus and Seized Property Sales
- State and Local Surplus Property Sales
- Government Stores
- Find Sales by Agency
|
