Reutilization, Transfer and Donation Waste not. Want not.

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Leftovers and hand-me-downs are not everyone’s first choice, but they help stretch your budget.

The Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service is providing effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars by operating a program that follows this principal.

Excess military property gets a second and sometimes third life under the Reutilization, Transfer and Donation Program.

Reutilization
Defense Reutilization and Marketing Offices are located on military bases worldwide. Units turn in excess or damaged property to the local DRMO. If a truck, tank, plane needs a spare part; the mechanic checks with the DRMO.

Army commanders in Kuwait developed a training tool to simulate Humvee rollovers. The first prototype for the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer was built in September 2005, using material from DRMO Arifjan.

Reutilization saves time, taxpayer dollars and sometimes service member’s lives.

Transfer
Excess property not reutilized by the military is available to federal agencies by transfer. This can include clothing and equipment for the Border Patrol and DEA for example.

The USDA Forest Service operates the Federal Excess Personal Property Program. Forest Service-owned property is loaned out to state foresters for wildland and rural firefighting. The equipment including trucks, planes, and helicopters are refurbished and turned into firefighting tools.

FEMA uses this program for disaster and humanitarian relief efforts and 2005 was a busy year.

• Hurricane Katrina - DRMS provided material worth $16.4 million to the relief effort, including furniture for schools.
• Asia Tsunami – A coordinated effort led to $3.7 million in support of relief efforts.

Transfers help federal agencies, individuals in desperate need and save tax dollars.

Donation
Excess property not used by reutilization or transfer, is made available for donation. State and local governments can apply for material through the General Services Administration’s State Surplus Property Program.

Nonprofit organizations like medical institutions, childcare centers, public museums and libraries can receive excess surplus property under this program.

Property not reutilized, transferred or donated, is offered for sale to the public.

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