Reuse was the exception in the reviewed system
GAO analyzed federal personal property reported from July 2023 through fiscal 2025. Agencies entered more than $10 billion in original acquisition value, ranging from sub-dollar bandages to usable aircraft originally worth more than $20 million.
About 9% of the reported property was reused through transfer to another federal agency, donation to state or local government, or public sale. The remainder was not counted as reused under GAO’s definition.
| Measure | Finding | Boundary |
|---|---|---|
| Original acquisition value reported | >$10B | Not current market value |
| Share reused | About 9% | Transfer, donation or sale |
| Review period | July 2023–FY2025 | New PPMS era |
GSA could not fully judge its own disposal work
GSA uses online platforms, training and direct assistance. GAO found its scorecard was not aligned with desired outcomes such as timely disposal and taxpayer return, and it excluded measures for training and assistance.
Photographs and higher original acquisition cost were associated with greater reuse. That does not prove a photo caused reuse; other property characteristics may differ.
What the 9% does—and does not—mean
The finding raises an accountability question because reuse is an explicit goal and federal office consolidation may add more property. It does not mean 91% of $10 billion was thrown away: the $10 billion is original acquisition value, and the 9% is GAO’s property-reuse measure, not a dollar-loss percentage.
Some items may be unsafe, obsolete, too costly to move or ultimately recycled through processes outside the reuse definition.
Method and response
GAO tested GSA data, reviewed guidance and training, compared performance practices, interviewed officials and visited a warehouse. The newsroom retained those limitations and did not convert original value into current loss.
GAO made two recommendations for aligned measures and better data. GSA agreed; both were listed as open on the report page.