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Surplus Property

Virginia Tech Surplus Property advances sustainability and stewardship across campus. We manage the lifecycle of university assets through the reuse, redistribution, and responsible disposal of surplus items. Each year, approximately ten public auctions are held at the Surplus Property Warehouse, where Virginia Tech employees may bid on items or lots up to $500 each. Proceeds from sales support the university’s general fund, with departments eligible to receive sale proceeds for items expected to bring at least $1,000 following Budget Office review. Through collaboration with departments, buyers, and community partners, Surplus Property helps reduce waste, recover value, and promote a more sustainable Virginia Tech.

All university property that is excess to the needs of a department must enter the surplus disposal process. Initial efforts will be made to redistribute surplus property within the university. If this proves to be unsuccessful, it will be sold at public auction or through sealed bid. Department Heads may act to transfer property to another department, but cannot sell or donate property to an individual or commercial firm. University Policy 3955 provides specific guidance.

The Virginia Tech Surplus Property Office and Warehouse is located at 1425 South Main Street next to Printing Services. The telephone number is 540-231-5660.  The Surplus Warehouse is open to departments for official business on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, closed 12 PM to 1 PM for lunch. The public is only allowed in the warehouse on Auction Preview day, Auction day and designated pick up days following the auction. Services provided by the Surplus Property Office include

  1. Removal of surplus property from university departments.
  2. Inter-department transfer of surplus property per conflict of interest act.
  3. Disposal of surplus property through public auctions that are held at the warehouse.
  4. Arranging for departments to purchase federal and state surplus items at facilites located in Richmond and Wytheville.

The training for Surplus 101: How to Surplus is now being offered on the PageUp Learning Management System (LMS). 

Complete the Online Surplus Property Report form(s) . 

  1. Fill out the Surplus Property Report Form.
  2. Attach a mailing label or piece of masking tape with "Surplus" written or typed on it to each item or lot, no post-it notes. Non-equipment items such as chairs,  tables, desks, miscellaneous office supplies, etc., may be grouped as one lot each for the same type of item.
  3. Once the form is complete and approved, it will be sent to Surplus electronically.
  4. If you need to be contacted when Surplus is coming, please make a note of it on the form. Typically, pickups are made within two to three weeks unless there is a conflict with an auction or storage space is not available. Larger items may take longer to pick up.
  5. If a department wishes to deliver items to Surplus, they must call beforehand to schedule a time.
  6. Departments are responsible for assuring that all computer hard drives are erased i.e., free of all data and software. See Surplusing Your IT Equipment for more details.
  7. Computer monitors and TVs contain toxic elements, therefore, Environmental, Health and Safety Services (EHS) is responsible for the disposal of all computers, monitors, and TVs that are not flat screen. For more information visit the EHS Waste Monitor website.

  1. Call ahead to ensure staff is available, then visit the warehouse to view items in inventory.
  2. Complete a Surplus Property Internal Transfer Authorization form for the items you wish to obtain (item, description and cost to be filled in at the time of purchase).
  3. You will need to make arrangements for the transportation of the item to the desired location. If the item is too large or if assistance is needed in transporting the item, submit an Inter-Departmental Service Request (ISR) to Physical Plant.

University departments may purchase state and federal surplus property items from facilities located in Richmond and Wytheville. Contact the Surplus Property Manager at 231-5660 for details.

  • Bids - none at this time
  • Special Sales - none at this time
  • Notices - none at this time

Per Policy 3951 Transfer of Equipment from the University to Other Domestic Institutions:

The University purchases or fabricates thousands of pieces of equipment worth tens of millions of dollars each fiscal year. There are five major sources of funds used to acquire equipment: state funds (including Education and General and recovered overhead), Equipment Trust Fund proceeds, grants and contracts or sponsored projects funds, donations or “in-kind” gifts, and capital outlay funds or bond proceeds. Because of the extensive involvement of faculty in the creation of proposals for grants and contracts and in solicitations for donations, misconceptions about ownership sometimes arise, especially when faculty members leave the employment of the university and wish to take equipment with them. This policy clarifies the University’s ownership interest in equipment and specifies the limited circumstances under which equipment may be transferred to other institutions. If the receiving institution is outside the United States, additional procedures are necessary to ensure compliance with various security or export control laws and regulations. These additional requirements are not included in this policy.

VT Auction Information

Next Auction Date: February 12, 2026

Auction Flyer
Auction List (Coming Soon)
Auction Dates and Tips

State Auction Information

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Virginia Department of General Services (DGS)

VT Surplus Warehouse

1425 S Main St
Blacksburg, VA 24060