Property administrators hosted the first public auction of materials no longer needed by the Blue Grass plant in June to help return money to the project’s contract.

“It’s an excellent opportunity for the community to get some pretty valuable equipment at a good price,” said Talbert Cox, asset manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “I consider it a great way to be good stewards of government money and be a good neighbor in the community at the same time.”

The auction was of tools and materials that were not redistributed through the plant’s property disbursement program, which seeks to distribute these items first to other federal, state or local government agencies before they are auctioned, Cox said. Auction items can include new and used tools, construction equipment and materials, and other items no longer needed. Money received for the sale of these items goes back into the contract.

“We’re looking to get the best value back for the government,” said Sharon Valle, government property administrator, Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. “It’s a better option than selling it at only scrap value, in most cases. We do pay attention and will sell materials for scrap if that value is above our highest received auction bid.”

There is also an option to use a third-party vendor to reach a larger audience for specialty materials, Valle said. This provides the opportunity to realize better bids on items local community members may not want to purchase.

Public auctions will continue to be held at the old J.C. Penney store in the Richmond Mall on a regular basis. Information will be posted in local newspapers and on the Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass website.