Department of Government Operations. Division of Purchasing and General Services. Surplus Property

Entity: 1107
Entity Type: State Government

Prior Names

Division of Hill-Burton and Surplus Property
Department of Administrative Services. Division of Purchasing and General Services. Surplus Property

Abstract

The Utah Division of Surplus Property, called the State Agency for Surplus Property in the enabling act created by the Thirtieth Legislature in March 1953 to acquire from the federal government such property as may be usable for educational or public health purposes. Today, the mission of the division is to manage consolidated state and federal surplus property programs which allow state agencies and units of local government to expeditiously dispose of and acquire surplus property. Since its inception as the State Agency for Surplus Property, the agency has also been called the Division of Hill-Burton and Surplus Property (1953-1954), the Bureau of Surplus Property (1954-1963), and the State Agency for Surplus Property (1963-1984). The current name was adopted in 1984. Surplus Property was moved into the newly created division of Fleet and Surplus Services in 1997.

Biography/History Notes

The agency provides an economical service to state agencies and units of local government by offering an opportunity to obtain usable surplus property at reasonable prices from one central location. Surplus state property is picked up, displayed, and sold. Governmental entities, other tax-supported agencies or political subdivisions, and some non-profit, tax-exempt health and educational institutions within the state are given every opportunity to purchase this property before it is offered to the general public. The division also screens, receives, and distributes federal surplus property to eligible donees under the Federal Property Assistance Program.

A director appointed by the executive director of DAS administers division operations. The division is composed of separate and distinct sections for state surplus and federal surplus and is authorized and empowered to appoint advisory boards or committees.

When the agency was originally created within the Department of Health (UTSVH00483-A), it was called the Bureau of Surplus Property. It was renamed the Agency for Surplus Property when it was transferred to the Department of Finance (UTSVH00388-A and UTSVH00390-A) in 1963. The newly formed Department of Administrative Services (DAS) (UTSVH00270-A) absorbed the Department of Finance in 1981, assuming direct responsibility for the Agency for Surplus Property as well. Management of the federal and state surplus property programs was consolidated in 1981, while the merchandise, accounting procedures, etc., have remained separate and distinct. Surplus Property achieved independent division status within DAS in 1984 but was placed under the Division of General Services in 1993. In 1997, General Services was abolished and surplus property and motor pool were moved under the newly created Division of Fleet and Surplus Services.

Hierarchy

Department of Government Operations
Division of Purchasing and General Services
Surplus Property