Surplus Property Division
When state agencies acquire new vehicles, technology and other items, the old inventory is not just discarded. In fact, these items can be a huge boon to local governments, nonprofits and other eligible organizations through ADECA’s Surplus Property Division.
The division operates a recently renovated distribution center in Montgomery housing everything from computers, furniture and medical equipment to cars, boats, tractors and semi-trucks. Much of the merchandise comes from state agencies that turn in old equipment to Surplus Property, making it available to entities such as governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. Eligible and registered groups can visit the distribution center to purchase and pick up items they need.
In addition to the overflow from state agencies, Surplus Property receives items from the federal government through the General Services Administration’s Federal Surplus Personal Property Donation Program. Surplus Property also receives items from several airports in the Southeast, usually from passengers who have voluntarily surrendered property such as knives, power tools and cooking utensils that are not allowed on airline flights. These passengers otherwise would have to pay shipping costs to have the items delivered to their homes or businesses.
Spring Creek Prop Farm acquired a storage building and custom shelving units from ADECA’s Surplus Property Division to store props for use by Alabama filmmakers.
The public has several opportunities each year to bid on available property through online auctions. Auctions are held in November, February, May and August at GovDeals.com. In 2025, there were 2,053 lots auctioned, generating 69,259 bids and 239,488 visitors to the online auction website. In addition to public auctions, smaller online auctions are held specifically for law enforcement agencies, offering items including police light bars, stun guns and batons.
The Surplus Property Division holds several online public auctions every year featuring a wide variety of items, including vehicles, computers, tools and office furniture.
Among the nonprofit groups that benefit from access to surplus property is the Montgomery Ballet, which in 2025 acquired tools to help with renovations, a trailer for transporting materials and multiple outdoor storage sheds. These items were acquired at a fraction of the cost for similar new items.
According to the Montgomery Ballet, the items “have collectively saved the Ballet many thousands of dollars – savings that directly translate into expanded programming for children, greater access for underserved communities and the continued development of our artists and staff.”
Surplus Property also provides equipment to law enforcement agencies through the Law Enforcement Support Office. This program, managed by the U.S. Department of Defense, allows the military to transfer excess tactical gear, electronics, vehicles and weapons.
The Butler County Sheriff’s Office obtained outdoor lighting, generators, a military-grade storage building and a heavy-duty vehicle through the program in 2025.
“The LESO program has provided equipment that would be im-possible for my department to ever have with the limited budgets and lower revenues of the county,” Sheriff David Scruggs said.
Local governments sometimes call upon the employees and resources at Surplus Property to assist in areas struck by disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and floods to provide equipment needed for cleanup and maintaining public safety.
