Surplus Sales Inventory Page Released (Learn More)
UCSB Surplus Sales supports departments in responsibly disposing of excess property and acquiring affordable surplus items for reuse. We aim to make the surplus process efficient, compliant, and environmentally conscious. Whether you’re looking to dispose of old equipment or take advantage of available items, our internal services are designed for you. When surplus items are sold, departments may receive a portion of the proceeds in accordance with the campus’ posted Surplus Sales Handling Fees.
Buying from Surplus Sales
UCSB departments are strongly encouraged to explore Surplus Sales inventory as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to buying new. Many departments find that high-quality furniture, electronics, lab equipment, and other functional assets are readily available at a fraction of the original cost.
Our current inventory includes:
- Office furniture (desks, chairs, filing cabinets)
- Computer monitors, accessories, and peripherals
- Laboratory and professional-grade research equipment
- Storage solutions, shelving, whiteboards, and more
Purchasing from Surplus helps departments save money, reduces procurement lead times, and supports UCSB’s sustainability goals by promoting reuse.
Items may be acquired:
- In person during open hours
- Online via auction or internal reallocation
- Through coordinated internal transfers
Priority Access & Item Requests
UCSB departments receive exclusive access to surplus items before they are listed for public sale. This allows departments to claim items that support operational, administrative, or research functions—while avoiding external competition.
Departments may participate in two ways:
- Submit a Request for Specific Items
Looking for something in particular? Fill out our request form and we’ll notify you if a matching item becomes available.
- Register for Internal Auction Access
Gain early access to surplus inventory before it becomes available to the public on auction platforms. Internal auctions are intended for departments seeking reallocation for University-related use.
Registered department contacts will be notified of new inventory and will have priority during dedicated internal review periods.
How to Purchase from Surplus Sales
UCSB departments may acquire surplus property for official University use through in-person sales, internal auctions, or scheduled internal reallocation. To complete a purchase, the following steps must be followed:
1. Identify the Item
- Browse available inventory online, during an internal reallocation event, at our in-person sales on Tuesdays from 1:30 – 4 p.m., or by appointment.
- Note the Item ID or Lot Number and any relevant item details. It is extremely helpful to take photos of the item.
2. Submit Purchase Information
To process the transaction, we require the following from your department:
- CCOA (Common Chart of Accounts) Purchasing Account
This is your department’s funding string used for interdepartmental recharges. Surplus Sales cannot process purchases without a valid CCOA. - Financial Contact
Please provide the name and email of your department’s financial representative (e.g., business officer, fund manager) who is authorized to approve internal charges.
3. Confirmation & Receipt
Once your department’s CCOA and financial contact are verified, our team will process the sale and provide a formal receipt. Items will only be released after payment is confirmed through our internal recharge system.
4. Pickup or Delivery
Purchased items must be picked up promptly or scheduled for departmental delivery through Furniture Services. Delivery fees may apply. Items not retrieved within the agreed timeframe may be returned to inventory.
How to Dispose or Sell UCSB Property
The disposal of UCSB property is guided by University of California policy, specifically Business & Finance Bulletin BUS-38: Disposal of Excess Material and Transfer of Federally-Funded University-Owned Material.
UC Policy BUS-38
At UCSB, Surplus Sales is the authorized unit responsible for overseeing the disposal, resale, and redistribution of excess University property. Surplus Sales has been delegated the authority to establish fair market value, determine the appropriate method of disposal, and manage the final sale or redistribution of items. While departments may initiate the process, all disposals are subject to Surplus Sales review and approval to ensure compliance and maximize re-use.
Inventorial Equipment
Items originally purchased for $5,000 or more are typically classified as inventorial assets. To begin the disposal process, departments must complete an Equipment Inventory Modification Request (EIMR) through ServiceNow.
Instructions:
- Navigate to Service Now
- Select “Transfer” as the Transaction Type
- Select “Surplus Sales” as the Modification Type
- Add relevant pickup/delivery notes including images in the description field
The routing process includes Equipment Management, your department’s Surplus Administrator, and Surplus Sales for review and coordination. Pickup or drop-off scheduling is arranged through Furniture Services (see scheduling section below).
Please note that an EIMR must be submitted before an Furniture Services Work Request is submitted.
Non-Inventorial Equipment
For items that fall below the $5,000 threshold or are not tracked in the University’s equipment system, departments must consult with Surplus Sales. Contact us at (805) 893-2581 or surplus.sales@dls.ucsb.edu to determine the appropriate method of disposal/sale.
Please note:
- Departments may not independently sell surplus property
- Final determination on how and whether non-inventorial items are reused, recycled, or discarded rests with Surplus Sales
- We aim to prioritize sustainability and material recovery wherever feasible
Request a Pickup, Schedule a Drop-Off, or Facilitated Sale (Pilot)
Surplus Sales partners with Furniture Services to offer coordinated pickup and delivery of surplus property for UCSB departments. Whether you’re clearing out a storage room, replacing equipment, or decluttering workspaces, our team is here to help manage logistics and maximize reuse.
Departments may request service in one of the following ways:
• Schedule a Drop-Off
Departments can deliver surplus items directly to Surplus Sales at Building 507, Mesa Road by appointment. Drop-offs are ideal for small or straightforward disposals and often do not incur labor charges.
• Request a Pickup
For large, complex, or high-volume disposals, Surplus Sales can coordinate a pickup through Furniture Services. This is especially helpful for bulky items or departments without the resources to move items themselves.
Labor charges will apply, depending on staff assessment.
• On-Site Facilitation (Pilot Program)
As part of a new pilot initiative, the Surplus Sales team now offers on-site facilitation of large or complex sales. In this model, our staff meets directly with department administrators, equipment custodians, and users to conduct an item review, capture detailed specs and photos, and prepare more comprehensive and attractive listings. This often results in higher sale values and greater revenue return to the department and campus. This is exemplified through our collections.
To request a facilitated on-site review, please email admin@dls.ucsb.edu with subject line “On-Site Facilitation Surplus.”
Important Notes
- All drop-offs must be scheduled — no unscheduled deliveries will be accepted at Building 507
- Labor charges are typically not applied for basic drop-offs, but may be assessed for pickups or on-site support at the discretion of Surplus Sales or Furniture Services staff
- Include EIMR confirmation if disposing of inventorial assets
For questions or help determining which method best fits your needs, contact us at surplus.sales@dls.ucsb.edu or (805) 893-2581.
Surplus Sales Handling Fees
When surplus equipment is sold, proceeds from the sale are dispersed between the selling department and Distribution & Logistical Services. Administrative program costs can include pickup, storage, transportation, disposal fees, advertising, and other costs directly related to the administration of the Surplus program. Other costs separate from the handling fee may be incurred by Furniture Services support.
| Proceeds from Sale | DLS Handling Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to $400 | 100% |
| $401 - $500 | 25% |
| $501 - $1,000 | 20% |
| $1,001 - $5,000 | 15% |
| $5,001 - $10,000 | 10% |
| $10,001 & above | negotiate |
*Updated handling fees are awaiting campus approval.
Explore Surplus at Other UC Campuses
Looking for something specific that isn’t available at UCSB? Other University of California campuses also operate Surplus Sales programs with their own public or internal listings. Departments across the UC system may benefit from reviewing available inventory or connecting with surplus contacts at other locations.
Below is a list of Surplus Sales programs from other UC campuses:
Please Note: UCSB Surplus Sales does not manage or monitor external UC listings. Availability, purchasing policies, and access vary by campus. For internal UC transfers, departments are responsible for coordinating directly with the appropriate campus.