January 21, 2020 3:45 a.m.
The City of Roseburg has moved its surplus items bidding process online.
Communications Specialist Eric Johnson said the City has partnered with GovDeals and Public Surplus to offer a convenient and easy way for residents to bid and purchase surplus vehicles, equipment, machinery and other items. Johnson said they began on January 10th and items will be posted regularly throughout the year.
City Recorder Amy Sowa said being able to post surplus items online is a great opportunity to “expand our audience and get the best possible prices for the City for these items”. Sowa said it will allow staff to post items on sale as they become available rather than storing them somewhere on City property for one annual sale. She said staff is hopeful that regular bidders and other interested parties will find the system more convenient and efficient as well.
Johnson said as surplus items come in, they will be posted to either the GovDeals or Public Surplus website. There, people can browse through each item and place bids. Each item includes a “Buyer’s Fee” that is added to the bid price, a deadline to submit a bid, a payment deadline and a deadline to pick up the item. Payments are processed online through each website’s secure server.
Johnson said in the past, the City used a sealed bid process to auction off surplus items. Citizens who were interested in surplus items needed to attend an annual auction, which was typically held in September at the Public Works Maintenance Shop. He said items could only be bid on during that time and at that location. Johnson said staff determined that the process was inefficient and not cost-effective. Last year the city council passed an ordinance allowing staff to transition to the online bidding system.
Residents who are interested in receiving notifications about upcoming surplus items can stop by City Hall in person or email info@cityofroseburg.org. To view active items up for bid, visit www.GovDeals.com or www.publicsurplus.com.