Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) is a program to distribute
Federal property originally purchased for use by a
Federal agency, but no longer needed by that
entity. It is then acquired by the
USDA Forest Service for loan to one of the 50
States or the Territories for use in the State’s
rural or
wildland fire protection program. It stays in service to
America, protecting lives and property across the nation. In this case,
personal refers to any
tangible property that is not
real estate.
State forestry agencies may acquire hardware this way on indefinite loan. Authorizing legislation includes the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978, Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, and the Organic Act.
Most of this equipment is recycled military equipment. Some of it originates in the Forest Service itself, and some from other land management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management.
References:
Website: Federal Excess Personal Property (http://www.fs.fed.us/fire/planning/fepp/)