This part sets forth the procedures to be utilized by USDA agencies and laboratories in the donation of excess research equipment to educational institutions and non-profit organizations for the conduct of technical and scientific education and research activities as authorized by 15 U.S.C. 3710(i). Title to excess research equipment donated pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 3710(i), shall pass to the donee.

Eligible organizations are educational institutions or non-profit organizations involved in the conduct of technical and scientific educational and research activities.

(a) Cannibalization. The dismantling of equipment for parts to repair or enhance other equipment. The residual is reported for disposal. Cannibalization is only authorized if the property value is greater when cannibalized than retention in the original condition.

(b) Community-based educational organization means nonprofit organizations that are engaged in collaborative projects with pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade educational institutions or that have education as their primary focus. Such organizations shall qualify as nonprofit educational institutions for purposes of section 203(j) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 (40 U.S.C. 484(j)).

(c) Educational institution means a public or private, non-profit educational institution, encompassing pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and two- and four-year institutions of higher education, as well as public school districts.

(d) Educationally useful Federal equipment means computers and related peripheral tools (e.g., printers, modems, routers, and servers), including telecommunications and research equipment, that are appropriate for use in pre-kindergarten, elementary, middle, or secondary school education. It shall also include computer software, where the transfer of licenses is permitted.

(e) Excess personal property. Items of personal property no longer required by the controlling Federal agency.

(f) Federal empowerment zone or enterprise community (EZ/EC) means a rural area designated by the Secretary of Agriculture under 7 CFR part 25.

(g) Non-profit organization means any corporation, trust association, cooperative, or other organization which:

(1) Is operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar purposes in the public interest;

(2) Is not organized primarily for profit; and

(3) Uses its net proceeds to maintain, improve, or expand its operations. For the purposes of this part, “non-profit organizations” may include utilities affiliated with institutions of higher education, or with state and local governments and federally recognized Indian tribes.

(h) Research equipment. Federal property determined to be essential to conduct scientific or technical educational research.

(i) Technical and scientific education and research activities. Non-profit tax exempt public educational institutions or government sponsored research organizations which serve to conduct technical and scientific education and research.

(a) [Reserved]

(b) Each agency head will designate in writing an authorized official to approve donations of excess property/equipment under this part.

(c) After USDA screening has been accomplished, excess personal property targeted for donation under this part will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there are competing requests, donations will be made to eligible recipients in the following priority order:

(1) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations in rural EZ/EC communities;

(2) Educationally useful Federal equipment for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade educational institutions and community-based educational organizations not in rural EZ/EC areas;

(3) All other eligible organizations.

(d) Upon reporting property for excess screening, if the pertinent USDA agency has an eligible organization in mind for donation under this part, it shall enter “P.L. 102-245” in the note field. The property will remain in the excess system approximately 30 days, and if no USDA agency or cooperator requests it during the excess cycle, the Departmental Excess Personal Property Coordinator will send the agency a copy of the excess report stamped, “DONATION AUTHORITY TO THE HOLDING AGENCY IN ACCORDANCE WITH P.L. 102-245.” The holding USDA agency may then donate the excess property to the eligible organization.

(e) Donations under this Part will be accomplished by preparing a Standard Form (SF) 122, “Transfer Order-Excess Personal Property”.

(f) The SF-122 should be signed by both an authorized official of the agency and the Agency Property Management Officer. The following information should also be provided.

(1) Name and address of Donee Institution (Ship to)

(2) Agency name and address (holding Agency)

(3) Location of property

(4) Shipping instructions (Donee contact person)

(5) Complete description of property, including acquisition amount, serial no., condition code, quantity, and agency order no.

(6) This statement needs to be added following property descriptions. “The property requested hereon is certified to be used for the conduct of technical and scientific education and research activities. This donation is pursuant to the provisions of Pub. L. 102-245.”

(g) Once the excess personal property/equipment is physically received, the donee is required to immediately return a copy of the SF-122 to the donating agency indicating receipt of requested items. Cancellations should be reported to DEPPC so the property can be reported to the General Services Administration (GSA).

(a) The authorized official (see § 2812.4(b)) will approve the donation of excess personal property/equipment in the following groups to educational institutions or nonprofit organizations for the conduct of technical and scientific educational and research activities.

(b) Excess personal property/equipment may be donated for cannibalization purposes, provided the donee submits a supporting statement which clearly indicates that cannibalizing the requested property for secondary use has greater potential benefit than utilization of the item in its existing form.

Title to excess personal property/equipment donated under this Part will automatically pass to the donee once the sponsoring agency receives the SF-122 indicating that the donee has received the property.

Donated excess personal property/equipment is free of charge. However, the donee must pay all costs associated with packaging and transportation, unless the sponsoring agency has made other arrangements. The donee should specify the method of shipment.

USDA requires that property requested by a donee be placed into use by the donee within a year of receipt and used for at least 1 year thereafter. Donees must maintain accountable records for such property during this time period.

When the property is no longer needed by the donee, it may be used in support of other Federal projects or sold and the proceeds used for technical and scientific education and research activities.

USDA assumes no liability with respect to accidents, bodily injury, illness, or any other damages or loss related to excess personal property/equipment donated under this part. The donee is advised to insure or otherwise protect itself and others as appropriate.