GAO found that between fiscal years 2016 to 2020 agencies only obtained $3.9 billion out of $32.8 billion worth of reported excess personal property. GK Hart / Vikki Hart / Getty Images
Agencies must disclose excess supply policies under bill headed for enactment
Under the legislation, which awaits the president’s signature, agencies must designate an official to identify potentially useful unused items like office equipment and furniture from across the federal government.
The House of Representatives on Monday sent to the president’s desk legislation that would require federal agencies to publish their guidance on using excess personal property, which refers to non-real estate items like office equipment and furniture, motor vehicles as well as specialized equipment.
Agencies already must consider acquiring excess personal property before purchasing new items. Besides shipping and transportation costs, agencies usually don’t have to pay for excess property from another federal agency.
However the Government Accountability Office reported in 2022 that from fiscal years 2016 to 2020, out of $32.8 billion worth of reported excess property, agencies only obtained $3.9 billion worth of items.
“GAO’s findings indicate that the guidance in the existing Federal Management Regulation alone may not be sufficient,” said Rep. Jake LaTurner, R-Kansas, during House floor debate on the bill. “With better direction from Congress, agencies can be more efficient in leveraging excess personal property to meet their needs and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.”
Specifically, the bill, which the chamber passed by voice vote, would require the agency guidance to designate an employee to search through available excess property for items that could meet the agency’s needs.
“These excess items could be transferred to other federal agencies and departments, distributed to a state or local government or even sold to the public,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., during floor debate. “It shouldn’t just be sitting there.”
The measure also would make public reports that agencies are mandated to annually submit about the amount of excess property they possess and direct the GAO to report on how often agencies acquire items that were manufactured by a Chinese entity.
Requirements in the bill would sunset after five years. The Senate passed the legislation by unanimous consent in late 2023.
The General Services Administration leads an interagency committee on property management that regularly assesses personal property regulations and guidance.