Disposal of Federal Surplus Real Property
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To assist State and local governments, and certain eligible (501(c)(3) tax-exempt status) non-profit organizations with acquiring surplus Federal real property for various public uses that benefit communities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State governments
- Local governments
- Public nonprofits
- Other public organizations
- Individuals / families
- Private nonprofits
State and local government agencies are eligible to apply for surplus real property for park and recreation, correctional facility, law enforcement, historic monument, public airport, public health, educational, homeless assistance, self help housing, emergency management, public road widening and port facilities. Eligibility for property for wildlife conservation use, other than for migratory birds and highway use, is limited to the States. Tax-supported and nonprofit medical and educational institutions, housing assistance and homeless assistance providers which have been held exempt from taxation under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code are also eligible to apply for property for health, educational, self help housing and homeless assistance use, respectively
Beneficiaries
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State and local governments and for certain programs, nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) may also apply.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
Applications for public health and homeless assistance use are submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) which requests assignment of the property from GSA; applications for educational use are submitted to the Department of Education which requests assignment of the property from GSA; applications for both park and recreation and historic monument uses are submitted to the National Park Service, Department of the Interior. The National Park Service requests assignment of the property from GSA for park and recreation use; applications for correctional and law enforcement uses are submitted to the Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Department of Justice; applications for emergency management response uses are submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security; applications for self-help housing are submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requests assignment of the property from GSA; applications for port facilities are submitted to the Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation; applications for highway use are submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation; for public airport use and wildlife conservation use, GSA supplies the applications, which are then submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation and the Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior, respectively.
Award Procedure
Typically, the sponsoring agency responsible for reviewing and approving the application makes the award; however, for wildlife conservation and public airport uses, GSA makes the award.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 30 to 60 days
- Renewal interval: From 60 to 90 days
- Appeal: From 1 to 15 days
From 1 to 2 months.
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Based on a determination by GSA of a property’s highest and best use, surplus Federal real and related personal property may be conveyed to State and local governments and, in some cases, certain eligible non-profit organizations for various public purposes or uses as allowed by law. These conveyances are called Public Benefit Conveyances (PBCs). Under the law, PBCs are completed without monetary consideration or at discounts of up to 100 percent of the fair market value; and, depending on the PBC, the use of the property is restricted for a period of up to 30 years or in perpetuity. Property may be conveyed at a discount of up to 100 percent for Homeless assistance use; if the property is conveyed by deed, it must be used for homeless assistance purposes for 30 years; if it is conveyed by lease or permit the property must be used for a period according to the terms of the lease or permit, which is generally not less than one year. Surplus Federal real property is also conveyed at discounts of up to 100 percent for public park or recreation use (restriction: perpetuity); public health or
educational purposes (restriction: 30 years for both); historic monument (restriction: perpetuity); correctional (restriction: perpetuity); law enforcement (restriction: perpetuity); emergency management response use, including fire and rescue services (restriction: perpetuity); self-help housing (restriction: 30 years for multifamily, 20 years for single family); port facility use (restriction: perpetuity): wildlife conservation (restriction: perpetuity); public airport (restriction: perpetuity); public highway use (restriction: perpetuity); public road widening use (restriction: perpetuity).
Required Documentation
The applicant must submit an application describing the proposed program of use for the property and evidence of its ability to finance the program.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements