Online auction site launched to dispose of surplus Government equipment

An online auction website, which allows the public to bid for surplus Government equipment, including Green Goddess fire-trucks, has been launched.

The Disposal Sales Agency has expanded its existing website to include an on-line auction. Potential buyers can bid and pay for ex-Government items online. They can also bid through the website for items put up for sale by Government contractors.

The Disposal Sales Agency, which is part of the Ministry of Defence, works to dispose of surplus equipment on behalf of a number of government departments. The first items listed on the auction website range from "his and her" military uniforms, to sleeping bags, tents, vintage vehicles and other memorabilia.

This approach maximises the amount of money returned to the taxpayer by reducing the cost of disposal, removing the need for a 'middle-man' contractor, and ensuring the best possible price is received.

As an additional feature, the auction website will allow the public to buy equipment directly from contractors who supply the Government. Withams, a contractor responsible for the sale of surplus vehicles has commented that:

"We are optimistic that the auction site will be a success, as it is a very low cost route to accessing a totally new marketplace."

The Disposal Sales Agency spokesman Les Taylor, who has played a key role in establishing the new facility, commented that:

"The DSA recognises that with more and more transactions being carried out online, we must adapt our approach in order to maximise the return to the Ministry of Defence and to the taxpayer."

To access the online auction site visit the Disposal Sales Agency main website on http://www.edisposals.com and click on the "auctions" link.

NOTE TO EDITORS
The Disposal Sales Agency is part of the Defence Logistics Organisation at the Ministry of Defence. raised over £700m through marketing surplus equipment since the early 1990's, initially exclusively on behalf of the Ministry of Defence, but more recently for the rest of local and central government. Previous sales have included warships, aircraft and some of the famous "Green Goddess" fire engines.

Amongst other groups, the site may appeal to specialist collectors (old Marconi signal generators, Yellow Goddess fire-engines from Northern Ireland, camera lenses), scrap metal merchants (vehicles), adventurous training companies and scout groups (tents/marquees and combat fatigues). No weapons or ammunition or any other item of that type are allowed to be sold on the website, and some items can only be sold to registered users.

For further information contact Les Taylor at the Disposal Sales Agency on 0207 305 3197, or Clare Keen at the MoD Press Office on 0207 218 2165.