Bagram –
Twelve trucks loaded with supplies left Bagram Airfield and headed toward Afghan businesses after a "white goods" sale at the Defense Logistics Agency Disposition Services Yard Aug. 7. Sale items included a Bobcat, forklifts and refrigerator containers.
DLA Disposition Services, responsible for the disposition of military excess property, held its first sale at U.S. sites across Afghanistan in June 2014. Since then, DLA Disposition Services has been selling nonmilitary items used largely for base support to Afghan businesses. Total sales to date at BAF equal 37 with proceeds totaling $2,729,860. All proceeds are turned over to the U.S. Treasury.
"I enjoy my job because it's always different," said Eric Robie, a property disposal specialist in DLA Disposition Services. "We have a huge responsibly here at Bagram to save the U.S. government money and try to do our part to help the local economy. When our usable sales are prepared, we take time to really go over the property and make sure it's properly researched and will be well within our sales guidelines. All of the deployed DLA Disposition Service employees, past and present, have done a great job."
According to Russell Manuel, DLA Disposition Services deputy director in Afghanistan, DLA Disposition Services advertises the usable goods contracts through the federal government's contracting website, FedBizOpps; the DLA Disposition Services website; and regional Afghanistan contracting offices. Criteria for contract awards include that the company be based in Afghanistan and owned 100 percent by Afghan citizens. The final details for releasing the property to buyers is worked out with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Minister of Finance and the Afghanistan Customs Department for taxation of the imported goods.
"The usable goods sales program is one of the best platforms the U.S. government uses to stimulus the Afghan economy," Manuel said. "The program helps DLA avoid property disposal costs associated disposal operations and the equipment is used by local business owners to support economic development. Overall, the program is a quick-win effort for the U.S. and the Afghan government."