Purchasing, the Strategic Sourcing Council, and the Office of Sustainability joined forces to bring together staff from other local and state agencies to share their concerns, to foster collaboration and explore the possibility of developing a regional, sustainable solution to manage surplus property. This effort also looked at the possible alliances with local non-profits that might have greater local economic impact through the development of local employment opportunities. Thus the Regional Surplus Property Working Group (RSPWG) was formed to meet this challenge.
Based upon the County's Values of Public Safety, Health, Integrity, Stewardship, Creativity & Innovation, Sustainability and Social Justice, the RSPWG identified that Surplus Property:
- Is not being reallocated internally by agencies with other jurisdictions and non-profits agencies;
- Requires a process and system to share and manage surplus property inventories;
- Requires metrics for reporting purposes and;
- Recycling efforts could be improved with multiple vendors including Qualified Rehabilitation Facilities.
Looking toward FY2015, Multnomah County initiated a Surplus Property Pilot to address these concerns with our County Values as our guiding principles to processing our surplus property.
This pilot focused on;
- Acquiring information for a regional solution;
- Identifying risks to reduce risk for a regional roll-out;
- Gain acceptance by all staff and;
- Develop and incorporate end-of-life cycle and total life cycle property management considerations in the purchasing process.