Surplus Property

How to Participate in Surplus Property Sales

The City of Tacoma offers surplus property for sale to the public through a Best Offer process. Follow these steps to review items, place bids, and participate in surplus opportunities.

Step 1: Review Available Surplus Property

• Scroll down to the Surplus Property Table below.
• Under the “Description” column, click the item title to view detailed information, including:
  • Item photos (if available)
  • Condition and specifications
  • Minimum offer amount (if applicable)

Step 2: Submit Your Best Offer

• In the Surplus Property Table, locate the item you’re interested in.

• Under the “Best Offer Number” column, click the listed Best Offer Number to open the official Best Offer Submission Form.

• Fill out the form, providing:
  • Your contact details (Name, email, phone number)
  • Your offer amount (in U.S. dollars)
  • Agree to the City’s “As-Is, Where-Is” terms

• Once complete, submit the form online.

Step 3: Offer Review Process

• Review Period: After the submission deadline, the City will evaluate all offers.
• Award Decision: The item may be awarded to the highest bidder or the bidder whose offer best meets the City’s needs.
• Notification: All participants will be notified via email of their bid status (only accepted bids are notified).

Step 4: Payment and Pickup (For Winning Bidders)

• Payment Deadline: Payment must be made within 10 calendar days of the award notification.
• Accepted Payment Methods: Information will be provided upon award.
• Item Pickup: The bidder is responsible for all transportation costs. Information will be provided upon payment.

Important to Know:

• All sales are final and property is sold “as-is, where-is”, with no warranties or guarantees.
• Offers received after the deadline will not be considered.
• The City reserves the right to:
  • Reject any or all offers
  • Withdraw items from sale
  • Dispose of property in a manner that serves the City’s best interest

Disclaimers:

• Participating in the Best Offer process means you agree to the City’s terms and conditions.
• Submitting an offer does not guarantee that you will be awarded the property.

Surplus Property Disposal Methods

1. Donations: Certain surplus items are offered for donation to eligible non-profit organizations that serve or benefit the public. These items are available on a first-come, first-served basis. All donated property is provided “as-is, where-is,” and recipients are required to sign a hold-harmless release. To view available donation items and determine eligibility, please refer to the table above.

2. Best Offer: Surplus items estimated to be worth $25,000 or less are available for purchase through a “Best Offer” process. Offers are accepted until the specified due date and may be awarded to the highest bidder. The City reserves the right to reject any or all offers. All property is sold “as-is, where-is,” and recipients must sign a hold-harmless release. Payment is due within ten calendar days of award notification. To submit an offer, click on the item number in the table above.

3. Informal Bids: For surplus items valued at $200,000 or less, the City conducts an informal bidding process. Interested parties can download bid specifications by clicking on the item description. Bids must be submitted on approved City forms by the specified due date and will be awarded to the best responsible bidder. All personal property is sold “as-is, where-is,” with a required hold-harmless release.

4. Sealed Bids: Surplus items valued over $200,000 are offered through a sealed bid process. Detailed information, including closing dates and specifications, can be found by clicking on the item description. Sealed bids must be submitted on approved City forms by the specified due date and will be awarded to the best responsible bidder. All personal property is sold “as-is, where-is,” with a required hold-harmless release.

Step 1: Register as a City Supplier

Register as a City of Tacoma Supplier through SAP Ariba to receive notifications for solicitations in your business category. When a matching opportunity is posted, you’ll be notified. The City uses SAP Ariba for supplier registration, bidding, contract management, and electronic purchase orders and invoicing.

Step 2: Subscribe to Solicitation Category Updates

If you want to receive general updates on solicitations within specific categories, you must subscribe to each category page of interest. To subscribe, visit the page for each category and click “Subscribe to Receive New Solicitations” to receive notifications.

This includes:

• Services Solicitations
• Supplies Solicitations
• Public Works & Improvements Solicitations
• Small Works Solicitations
• Surplus Solicitations

Step 3: Register for a Specific Solicitation’s Updates

If you are interested in a particular solicitation, you must register as a bid holder for that specific solicitation using the Specification Number. This will assist you in receiving any amendments, addenda, or changes to that bid document.

Assistance & Public Records Requests

For questions or additional assistance, email bids@tacoma.gov.

If you need solicitation or contract documents, please submit a Public Records Request.

Bid Openings

Sealed submittals for RFB solicitations (with Specification Numbers ending with an ‘F’) will be opened on Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m. by a purchasing representative. The bid opening will be conducted in person at the Tacoma Public Utilities Administrative Building North (3628 S. 35th Street, Tacoma, WA 98409, conference room M-1, Main Floor) and virtually.

• If no formal RFB solicitations are scheduled for opening, a public bid opening will not be held.
• Please note: Informal/Unsealed RFBs, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and Requests for Information (RFI) are not read aloud at bid openings. Results for these solicitations will be posted after 1 p.m. on the day they are due to our website: tacomapurchasing.org.
• Preliminary and final bid results are available on our Bid Results page.

Please note: Informal/Unsealed RFBs, Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and Requests for Information (RFI) are not read aloud at bid openings. Results for these solicitations will be posted after 1 p.m. on the day they are due to our website: tacomapurchasing.org.

Sample Best Offer Submission Form Guide

Section 1: Contact Information

• Name: Full legal name or Business Name
• Phone Number: Active contact number
• Email: For notification and award details

Section 2: Item Details

• Best Offer Number: Auto-filled from the listing
• Item Description: Auto-filled from the listing

Section 3: Offer Amount

• Proposed Offer ($): Enter your bid in US dollars

Section 4: Submission

• ? Submit the form to complete your offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can I inspect items before bidding?
No, items are sold as-is, with photos and descriptions for reference.

Q2: How will I know if I won?
An email notification will inform you.

Q3: What happens if I miss the payment deadline?
The award may be canceled, and the item may go to another bidder.

Q4: Can businesses participate?
Yes, businesses, individuals, and organizations are welcome.

Q5: Can I make a higher bid after submission?
If you would submit a higher bid, submit a new Best Offer Form.

Q6: Are refunds or returns allowed?
No, all sales are final under the “As-Is, Where-Is” policy.

Q7: Who is responsible for pickup and transportation?
The buyer is fully responsible for all transportation and handling costs.

Q8: How can I stay informed about new surplus listings?
Subscribe to our email alerts or check the Surplus Property page regularly.