Thank you for your interest in the Federal Surplus Property Program! Public Law (115-416) “Veteran Small Business Enhancement Act” gives Veteran-Owned Small Businesses access to our program.

Below are some frequently asked questions that we hope will help introduce you to the program.

1. How do I know if my veteran owned small business (VOSB) will qualify to receive federal surplus property?
   • There are three basic pre-requisites:
     • Your business must be verified as a Veteran-Owned Small Business with the SBA
     • Your business must be listed in the SBA VetCert data base: www.veterans.certify.sba.gov
     • Your business must have a physical location and operations in Arkansas

• My business meets the criteria listed above.  How do I join the Arkansas Federal Surplus Property Program?
  • If you meet the three criteria listed in Question #1, the next step is to complete our Eligibility Application and submit all the documents listed on the Eligibility Application Requirements form.

• Will my application ever expire and require renewal?
  • Yes.  Your application will expire on the same day as your SBA VetCert expiration.  ARFSP application renewals will be done in conjunction with your businesses SBA recertification

• I am not sure if my business is registered with the VA.  How can I check?
  • The SBA has an online database of currently verified Arkansas VOSBs: www.veterans.certify.sba.gov
  • Additional helpful information about the SBA VetCert Program can be found at: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/veteran-contracting-assistance-programs
• If you are not currently registered with the VA, or your certification has expired, we recommend that you start the application/renewal process NOW!  The VA processing times for new applicants take 6 weeks – 3 months.

• Do service disable veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) qualify?
  • Yes, if the SDVOSB is verified by the SBA.  For the purposes of our program, there is no difference between SDVOSBs and VOSBs when determining if you are eligible

• My business’s headquarters is in another state, but I have a location and operations here in Arkansas.  Will I qualify?
  • Generally speaking, yes, and you may also qualify in the state in which your headquarters is located. However, property obtained from our program must be used in Arkansas while it is under restriction. Contact our office for more details

• How do I search for available property?
  • You may view our Inventory online in the “Search Inventory” section of our website:  https://dps.arkansas.gov/emergency-management/adem/federal-surplus-property/
  • Our program offers personal property only; we do not offer real property (ex. fixed buildings, land) available through our program

• What if there is a specific item my business needs and it’s not currently in your inventory? 
  • VOSB may complete a “want list” form for high demand low supply items.  ARFSP keeps the “want list” form on file for one year.  This form is used to help assist us in screening property for VOSB needs

• Will the property be offered to my business at no charge?
  • No.  All property obtained through our federal program will have an associated service charge that your business must pay.  On average, the service charge is 10%-50% of the item’s original value, but will vary according to the item’s type, condition, and current value.  The service charges paid by participating organizations fund our program, as we do not receive any funding from the State or Federal government

• How do I pay the service charge?
  • Payment must be in the form of a company check or company credit card.  Cash, cashier’s checks, personal checks, and money orders are not accepted.  
  • Payment in full is required before property leaves the facility

• Are there restrictions on the types of property that my business can obtain, and how it must be used?
  • Yes.  Veteran-Owned Small Businesses will be subject to our standard restrictions on the use of property.  For example, property must be obtained to support your businesses operations. It may not be used for personal or unrelated reasons.  There will be a certain restriction or “compliance” period, during which the property must be used by your business. The compliance period is typically 12-18 months but may vary according to the item’s type and value
  • The VOSB WILL make reports to the ARFSP on the use, condition and location of the property received and all other pertinent matters during the period of restriction as required by the ARFSP
  • If at any time during the compliance period the property is not used or handled as required by the Federal restrictions the right to possession of such property and associated service fees SHALL be forfeited by the VOSB and the property SHALL at the VOSB expense be returned to the ARFSP  
  • During the property’s compliance period, you may not sell, trade, lease, lend, bail, cannibalize, encumber, or otherwise dispose of such property, or remove it permanently, for use outside the State, without the prior, written approval of ARFSP and/or GSA   
  • In the event any property is sold, traded, leased, loaned, bailed, cannibalized, encumbered, or otherwise disposed of by the VOSB from the date it receives the property through the period(s) of restriction without prior approval from GSA or ARFSP, the VOSB shall pay to GSA or ARFSP the proceeds of this disposal of the fair market value or the fair rental value of the property at the time of disposal

• Should you have any further questions or concerns, please contact Brian at 501-835-3111