Learn more about NASASP...
The National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property, Inc. (NASASP) is a 501c(6) non-profit organization founded in 1947 to foster communication between the 56 State Agencies for Surplus Property (SASPs), the Federal government, Congress, and other national organizations.
NASASP and all 56 SASPs serve organizations (referred to as donees), representing health, education, cities, counties, small busi-ness, fire, police, emergency rescue, veteran owned small business, veteran service organizations, non-profit health and education institutions, and providers of assistance to the homeless and needy. NASASP members work together to ensure effective use of surplus property through increased communications and national partnerships, promote the Federal Surplus Property Program in a variety of ways, and serve as watchdogs for the taxpayers in helping to protect the Federal Surplus Property Pro-gram.
Its individual members subscribe to the principles set forth in their Code of Ethics. They maintain active leadership in establishing and promoting ways and means of acquiring and distributing equitably federal personal property to public agencies and other eligible entities. The members conduct education programs that lead to a better understanding of the public benefits derived from educational, health, local governmental, and other eligible utilization of such property. They cooperate with the federal government in developing, promoting, and maintaining standard practices throughout the nation in warehousing, distributing, accounting and transferring of available federal property. NASASP also assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on the effective utilization of such property by eligible entities.
In partnership with the General Services Administration (GSA), NASASP’s goal is to save taxpayer dollars. NASASP believes that once property has been declared surplus to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best secondary utilization is by public and private organizations of this nation that are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety, and other public benefits of our people.
NASASP and all 56 SASPs serve organizations (referred to as donees), representing health, education, cities, counties, small busi-ness, fire, police, emergency rescue, veteran owned small business, veteran service organizations, non-profit health and education institutions, and providers of assistance to the homeless and needy. NASASP members work together to ensure effective use of surplus property through increased communications and national partnerships, promote the Federal Surplus Property Program in a variety of ways, and serve as watchdogs for the taxpayers in helping to protect the Federal Surplus Property Pro-gram.
Its individual members subscribe to the principles set forth in their Code of Ethics. They maintain active leadership in establishing and promoting ways and means of acquiring and distributing equitably federal personal property to public agencies and other eligible entities. The members conduct education programs that lead to a better understanding of the public benefits derived from educational, health, local governmental, and other eligible utilization of such property. They cooperate with the federal government in developing, promoting, and maintaining standard practices throughout the nation in warehousing, distributing, accounting and transferring of available federal property. NASASP also assembles, analyzes, and disseminates information on the effective utilization of such property by eligible entities.
In partnership with the General Services Administration (GSA), NASASP’s goal is to save taxpayer dollars. NASASP believes that once property has been declared surplus to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best secondary utilization is by public and private organizations of this nation that are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety, and other public benefits of our people.
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"In December of 1945, the Commissioner of the War Assets Administration asked the Governors of the several States to create State Agencies for Surplus Property. Most of these State programs were lodged in the State departments of education since, at this time, discounted and military surplus property was made available only to educational institutions with DHEW (Department of Health, Education & Welfare) being the federal agency overseeing the program.
As War Assets and the armed services expanded their operations, with the several States developing an intensified interest in the program, it became apparent that there was no equitable distribution of property between the States. This condition was one of the primary reasons why the State agencies decided that it would be desirable to create regional unions of the several States - and eventually a national association of these unions. Periodically, before the establishment of any union, State representatives met with Federal agents and divided lists of property between those States located in the jurisdictional area of the several War Assets Administration (WAA) regional offices. During this same period of time, surplus military property of the Army, Navy, and Air Force was also made available, by separate acts of Congress, to State agencies for distribution to educational institutions. The State agencies and the Office of Education were aware of inequitable interstate distribution of both WAA and military surplus property since no national or regional pattern existed. As a result of the foregoing problems, the State agency representatives of Indiana, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia held a meeting at the Hollenden Hotel in Cleveland, Ohio on September 25 & 26, 1947, with representatives of WAA and the Office of Education. Following this meeting, the State agencies representatives, in an executive session, decided that it was necessary to form a regional union of these States patterned after the boundary lines of the Second Army Area. They asked Mr. James L. Reid of Maryland to arrange for another meeting of these States with the Second Army Area Headquarters in Baltimore in October. This group also asked Mr. J. B. Williams of Kentucky to meet in September with the State agencies in the Third Army Area in Atlanta to explain the action taken by this group in forming a regional union. The Cleveland group decided to call their union the "Educational Agencies for Surplus Property of the Second Army Area and the Military District of Washington". The organization also drafted a suggested Plan of Operation or Constitution for forming regional unions for the entire country to be patterned after the six army areas. This information was made available to the other States. Anticipating a nationwide call of the State agencies by WAA for the purpose of resolving the problems on the items of property that could be discounted to education, the "State Educational Agencies for Surplus Property" on October 6, 1947, called their first national meeting in the Willard Hotel in Washington, DC. The minutes of this meeting read: "After a round table discussion, it was decided that a loose organization would be formed of the State Educational Agencies for Surplus Property and an outline of the organization was adopted." Many of the Directors were former World War II Commanders and had a very close relationship with members of Congress. They knew of all the property left behind overseas and wanted to get it back to the local communitites. During the first few years, all meetings of the national organization were held in Washington. In these earlier years, the States developed and strengthened regional unions patterned after Army Areas. Each of these unions met periodically and elected their own officers, known as Area Chairman and Vice-Chairman. These officers made up the National Committee of the National Association. As a result of the formation of the National Association, the States convinced Congress of the necessity for further legislation, which resulted in the passage of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949. The National Association changed its name from the "National Association of State Educational Agencies for Surplus Property" to the "National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property" as a result of the passage of Public Law 754, Eighty-first Congress, which made surplus property available to health organizations." |
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"Pro Bono Publico"- This Latin phrase is found on the insignia of the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property (NASASP). Literally it means "for the public good." Expanded meanings include
"for the public good for the welfare of the whole." That is the mission of the 56 State Agencies for Surplus Property (SASPs) that make up NASASP Inc. The goal of the SASPs in partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration, is to save taxpayer dollars. Saving taxpayer dollars by extending the useful life of federal excess/surplus personal property assets is "for the public good" and it serves the "welfare of the whole."
NASASP, Inc believes that once property has been declared surplus to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best secondary utilization is by public and private organizations of this nation that are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety, and other public benefits of our people. Please see the links on this page for further information that can benefit you and your organization.
"for the public good for the welfare of the whole." That is the mission of the 56 State Agencies for Surplus Property (SASPs) that make up NASASP Inc. The goal of the SASPs in partnership with the U.S. General Services Administration, is to save taxpayer dollars. Saving taxpayer dollars by extending the useful life of federal excess/surplus personal property assets is "for the public good" and it serves the "welfare of the whole."
NASASP, Inc believes that once property has been declared surplus to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best secondary utilization is by public and private organizations of this nation that are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety, and other public benefits of our people. Please see the links on this page for further information that can benefit you and your organization.
Code of Ethics
We, the members of the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property, do ordain and declare that this Code of Ethics is a true expression of the desires, attitudes and objectives which govern the activities of all representatives of State Agencies for Surplus Property. We, the members of the Association, further proclaim that we will give first consideration to the expressed purposes of this Association's constitution and the beliefs, purposes and principles of this Code of Ethics.
Beliefs
Excess Federal property, before being declared surplus, should be utilized to the fullest extent practicable in these United States of America by the Federal Government.
Once property has been declared surplus to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best secondary utilization is by public and private organizations of this nation that are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety and other public benefits or our people.
Only after these requirements have been satisfied, should surplus property be disposed of by other means.
Purposes
We dedicate ourselves to the purpose of accomplishing the will of Congress through fair, honest and unbiased execution of the duties and responsibilities entrusted to us. Fully recognizing the responsibility that is ours, we accept the call to duty with a sense of humility, and with the firm resolve to give our best efforts at all times to those tasks that are inherent in the Surplus Property Donation Program.
Principles
Individually as members and collectively as an Association, we subscribe unreservedly to the following principles to motivate and guide us in the proper conduct of the affairs of the Surplus Property Donation Program:
to be guided by honor, honesty and integrity in order that we may merit the respect and confidence of our associates and the public whom we serve; to hold as dishonest any personal gain or profit obtained through abuse of our public trust; to decline personal gifts or gratuities which might influence strict impartiality that must prevail in all business relations; to foster and promote fair, ethical and legal business practices; to measure each transaction on its own merit; and to grant all eligible organizations equal consideration; to conduct all public relations and business affairs without prejudice; and to disavow all political, religious, or racial bigotry or bias; to be willing to submit any major controversies to arbitration; to respect the policies of our immediate superiors; and to advise them on problems and progress of the program; to counsel and cooperate with our membership; to subscribe to the Association's objectives; to respect State boundaries in the screening of property; and to promote a spirit of unity among member States; to promote the maximum utilization of surplus property through an educational program for all eligible organizations; to maintain minimum service charges by the elimination of all unnecessary practices and procedures that do not directly benefit those we serve; to accord prompt and courteous treatment to those transacting legitimate business missions; to recognize and appreciate the total problem of surplus property disposal; and for this purpose, to cooperate with Federal holding, custodial and disposal agencies; to maintain professional attitudes at all levels of State Agency service.
Sincerely,
The President
We, the members of the National Association of State Agencies for Surplus Property, do ordain and declare that this Code of Ethics is a true expression of the desires, attitudes and objectives which govern the activities of all representatives of State Agencies for Surplus Property. We, the members of the Association, further proclaim that we will give first consideration to the expressed purposes of this Association's constitution and the beliefs, purposes and principles of this Code of Ethics.
Beliefs
Excess Federal property, before being declared surplus, should be utilized to the fullest extent practicable in these United States of America by the Federal Government.
Once property has been declared surplus to the needs of the Federal Government, the highest and best secondary utilization is by public and private organizations of this nation that are dedicated to the education, training, health, civil protection, safety and other public benefits or our people.
Only after these requirements have been satisfied, should surplus property be disposed of by other means.
Purposes
We dedicate ourselves to the purpose of accomplishing the will of Congress through fair, honest and unbiased execution of the duties and responsibilities entrusted to us. Fully recognizing the responsibility that is ours, we accept the call to duty with a sense of humility, and with the firm resolve to give our best efforts at all times to those tasks that are inherent in the Surplus Property Donation Program.
Principles
Individually as members and collectively as an Association, we subscribe unreservedly to the following principles to motivate and guide us in the proper conduct of the affairs of the Surplus Property Donation Program:
to be guided by honor, honesty and integrity in order that we may merit the respect and confidence of our associates and the public whom we serve; to hold as dishonest any personal gain or profit obtained through abuse of our public trust; to decline personal gifts or gratuities which might influence strict impartiality that must prevail in all business relations; to foster and promote fair, ethical and legal business practices; to measure each transaction on its own merit; and to grant all eligible organizations equal consideration; to conduct all public relations and business affairs without prejudice; and to disavow all political, religious, or racial bigotry or bias; to be willing to submit any major controversies to arbitration; to respect the policies of our immediate superiors; and to advise them on problems and progress of the program; to counsel and cooperate with our membership; to subscribe to the Association's objectives; to respect State boundaries in the screening of property; and to promote a spirit of unity among member States; to promote the maximum utilization of surplus property through an educational program for all eligible organizations; to maintain minimum service charges by the elimination of all unnecessary practices and procedures that do not directly benefit those we serve; to accord prompt and courteous treatment to those transacting legitimate business missions; to recognize and appreciate the total problem of surplus property disposal; and for this purpose, to cooperate with Federal holding, custodial and disposal agencies; to maintain professional attitudes at all levels of State Agency service.
Sincerely,
The President
| code_of_ethics.pdf |
Constitution (revised July 2023)
Bylaws (revised July 2023)
The State Donation Program providing for federal surplus property to state donees and now embedded in Federal statute and rules had its origins during the end of the Second World War. In 1944, the 78th U.S. Congress recognized and mandated a final, “Surplus Property Act.” This historic legislation was signed into Public Law by the late President Roosevelt on October 3, 1944. Inclusion of state donation in the legislation signified the importance to Congress that the States be provided a means to acquire priority with others in the anticipated $95-105 Billion of war surplus in an equitable manner.
As U.S. troops began their breakout from the Normandy beaches on D-Day and moved forward in the European and Pacific theatres during World War II, the U.S. Congress began to debate legislation creating a War Surplus Board starting in June 1944. In a review of all Congressional legislation, debate, and other sources from 1944, we have found that when the Surplus Property Act was first introduced in the House and Senate, it gave Federal agencies first call on surplus property. The Senate, however, in their version, diverted and gave a second priority to state governments, as well as a whole listing of groups for preferential treatment and attention such as farmers, small businesses. veterans, educational institutions, and others.
In creating a War Surplus Board, the U.S. Congress also looked at priorities for disposing of surplus military property, manufacturing plants and facilities, equipment, and land, and creating a mechanism for peacetime transition.
Including STATES as a priority for federal surplus was supported by the Senate in a vote August 25, 1944. The Senate fought very hard to retain the priority for STATES in their version of the legislation, and it became an issue in a September 1944 joint Conference Committee between the House and Senate. During the Senate floor debate, the Senator of the Committee reporting the bill favorably for consideration was asked about inclusion of States. He answered the inquiry by saying that there was strong language in the bill and quoted paragraph f of Section 13, as follows: ”…The disposal of surplus property under this section to States, and political subdivisions and instrumentalities thereof shall be given PRIORITY over ALL other disposal of property provided in this Act….”
During the House debate, a Member on September 18, 1944, rose on the House floor to say, “…Surplus property belongs to the taxpayers, citizens, including widows and orphans...it should be disposed of for the benefit of the citizens…they have been taxed to provide it…and it was to promote the public interest.”
The final version of the Conference bill, which included the STATE priority, was agreed to on September 18, 1944. In this final Conference bill signed by President Roosevelt, Surplus Property Act of 1944, October 3, 1944, CH.479, 58 Stat.765, there is created a three member “Surplus Property Board” within the Office of War Mobilization, and this Board was to have jurisdiction over surplus property (Sections 1614-15). The Board was to prioritize disposal of surplus to the states in the public interest after a federal agency consideration (Section 1622(a)and (b)).
Some interesting side notes to the 78th Congress (1943-1944) include:
In 1949, under the late President Truman, the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act was signed into law and the Surplus Property Act of 1944 was repealed while new State Donation laws and regulations became effective. However, the “Grandfather” of state donation was created 78 years ago in the Halls of Congress.
As U.S. troops began their breakout from the Normandy beaches on D-Day and moved forward in the European and Pacific theatres during World War II, the U.S. Congress began to debate legislation creating a War Surplus Board starting in June 1944. In a review of all Congressional legislation, debate, and other sources from 1944, we have found that when the Surplus Property Act was first introduced in the House and Senate, it gave Federal agencies first call on surplus property. The Senate, however, in their version, diverted and gave a second priority to state governments, as well as a whole listing of groups for preferential treatment and attention such as farmers, small businesses. veterans, educational institutions, and others.
In creating a War Surplus Board, the U.S. Congress also looked at priorities for disposing of surplus military property, manufacturing plants and facilities, equipment, and land, and creating a mechanism for peacetime transition.
Including STATES as a priority for federal surplus was supported by the Senate in a vote August 25, 1944. The Senate fought very hard to retain the priority for STATES in their version of the legislation, and it became an issue in a September 1944 joint Conference Committee between the House and Senate. During the Senate floor debate, the Senator of the Committee reporting the bill favorably for consideration was asked about inclusion of States. He answered the inquiry by saying that there was strong language in the bill and quoted paragraph f of Section 13, as follows: ”…The disposal of surplus property under this section to States, and political subdivisions and instrumentalities thereof shall be given PRIORITY over ALL other disposal of property provided in this Act….”
During the House debate, a Member on September 18, 1944, rose on the House floor to say, “…Surplus property belongs to the taxpayers, citizens, including widows and orphans...it should be disposed of for the benefit of the citizens…they have been taxed to provide it…and it was to promote the public interest.”
The final version of the Conference bill, which included the STATE priority, was agreed to on September 18, 1944. In this final Conference bill signed by President Roosevelt, Surplus Property Act of 1944, October 3, 1944, CH.479, 58 Stat.765, there is created a three member “Surplus Property Board” within the Office of War Mobilization, and this Board was to have jurisdiction over surplus property (Sections 1614-15). The Board was to prioritize disposal of surplus to the states in the public interest after a federal agency consideration (Section 1622(a)and (b)).
Some interesting side notes to the 78th Congress (1943-1944) include:
- The Federal Budget submission to Congress by President Roosevelt in 1944 was $92 Billion;
- By the end of 1944, the deficit for the Federal Government was around $58 Billion and Congress authorized a debt limit of $260 Billion to finance the war effort; and
- The 78th Congress had both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House controlled by Democrats with a Democratic President.
In 1949, under the late President Truman, the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act was signed into law and the Surplus Property Act of 1944 was repealed while new State Donation laws and regulations became effective. However, the “Grandfather” of state donation was created 78 years ago in the Halls of Congress.