Surplus Property Advertisements to Public Entities

The following guidelines apply during the 10-day advertisement period. Remember - only public entities are eligible to purchase state surplus items during this time period. Purchase requests from private individuals will not be honored.

Although the State Surplus Property Listing is updated daily, TxDOT only updates the listing with new surplus property items once a month - on the 1st. During the 10 business days after the date the property is posted on the State Surplus Property Listing, a state agency, political subdivision, or assistance organization may coordinate directly with the department for a direct transfer of the property at a price established by the department. The items automatically drop off the listing after 15 days.

Important Facts to Know

All sales are handled on a "first-come, first-served" basis unless a competing request is received from a state agency on the same business day. In these rare instances, priority is given to the state agency.
The department will not hold items or equipment for purchase at a later date.
Public entities are encouraged to call the contact person for more detailed information about the condition of the item or equipment before making a purchase commitment.
Once a purchase decision is made, the entity must use the Surplus Property Request Form to identify the property they are requesting.
The department will not accept a faxed request for a surplus item until 8 a.m. on the first business day after the item has been advertised (see "advertise date" in property description block). For example, an item with an advertise date of 4/30/06 would not be available for sale until 8 a.m. on 5/01/06. If the advertise date falls on a weekend or holiday, the department will not accept a faxed request until 8 a.m. on the first business day after the weekend or holiday. Any faxed request received prior to the start of the first business day after the advertise date will not be honored.
Each fax must include the Surplus Property Request Form and intent to purchase letter on the entity's letterhead with a signature of authorized representative. Failure to provide this information may negatively impact your ability to receive the requested property.
Intent to purchase letters must be faxed to (512) 302-2420.
The department will acknowledge all sales in writing.
The department reserves the right to cancel or suspend a sale if there is a need for the equipment by the state.
A State Certificate of Acquisition form will be forwarded along with the payment letter. The entity must complete and return the form, and submit payment.
Once these have been received, the purchasing entity will be given approval to retrieve the property or equipment.
Equipment items that are ready for immediate sale will be released upon receipt of payment and a completed State Certificate of Acquisition form. If you happen to misplace the State Certificate of Acquisition form, you may contact the department at (512) 302-2416.
Any items that do not sell during the advertisement period will be sold either through a sealed bid, direct sale, or public auction.
Unless an extension is granted, an assistance organization that fails to secure any purchased property within 30-days after the sale will not be allowed to purchase department items during the public entity advertisement period for a minimum of six months.

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