General Information: All persons participating in this sale are responsible to read, understand, and comply with the terms of sale as specified herein and agree to be bound thereby. Bidder participations in the sale, and the use of the CWS auction site marks your full acceptance of all Terms & Conditions of CWS Marketing Group, Amentum and the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
This is a online auction, with all bidding will taking place at cwsmarketing.com. All property is being offered for sale on behalf of the United States Department of Treasury by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The contractor is acting as the agent of the Government with respect to the sale of Government property.
The placement of a successful bid at a U.S. Department of the Treasury auction establishes a legally binding contract between the successful high bidder and the Treasury Department. Bids are not retractable. At the close of bidding, the high bid amount by the indicated bidder establishes the contract, which is subject to final acceptance by the Government. This contract is bound by these Terms and Conditions as well as any special terms and conditions published by the Contractor for the specific auction and other Federal regulations governing contracts for the purchase of Government property. The successful bidder is legally bound to pay for property awarded in accordance with his/her bid.
Inspection: Bidders are urged to inspect property/merchandise prior to bidding. Failure to inspect shall not constitute cause for cancellation of sale. Property/merchandise is available for inspection only at places and times specified. Absolutely no access to property/merchandise is allowed without prior authorization. When available, photographs, “stock photos”, slides/samples, or a video presentation may be provided as a courtesy to bidders. Bidders are warned against bidding on any lot(s) based solely on the sample displayed or based on photographs. No warranty will be made in relation to these samples or photographs.
Condition & Description: All known information pertaining to the condition and description of the property has been posted on the website. Bidders may obtain additional information by attending the live previews and visually inspecting the items. Lot numbers are for administrative purposes only and do not describe the property/merchandise. Bidders are responsible to ensure the catalog, or announced/online description of any item they intend to purchase matches the property/merchandise inspected. Sale of property/merchandise will not be cancelled due to bidder misunderstanding, failure to pay attention to the bidding, or failure to inspect property/merchandise. License plates and registration tags do not convey with the property.
The buyer understands and agrees; (1) that any description or sample of the property/merchandise given or furnished is derived from records and documents that may be unverified as to accuracy, is solely for identification, and DOES NOT CREATE ANY WARRANTY, expressed or implied, that the property/merchandise actually conforms to such description or sample; (2) all weights, measurements, and descriptions must be considered approximations and do not create any warranty; (3) that the property/merchandise is purchased and accepted by buyer "AS IS," and "WITH ALL FAULTS." CWS, AMENTUM AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAKES NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES WHATSOEVER WHETHER WRITTEN, ORAL, OR IMPLIED AS TO AGE, YEAR OF MANUFACTURE, MAKE, MODEL, ODOMETER, QUALITY, QUANTITY, CONDITION, USABILITY, SALABILITY, WEIGHT, MEASUREMENTS, OR OTHER SPECIFICATIONS.
Registration:
- New Users Only: Go to Create Account(if a new user) and create an account. A valid government issued photo ID is required to create an account. Please allow up to 24 hours from creation of your new account for account approval.
- Returning Users: Login to your account and select “Register To Bid” within the auction you are interested in and follow the prompts.
- Deposit: A $25,000 good-faith deposit is required to participate in the auction. Deposits must be submitted via bank wire. Bank wire instructions will be emailed to you upon completion of the online auction registration. Deposits for participants who were not successful in the auction will be returned within five business days from the date of the auction.
- Questions: Regarding auction registration, creating an auction account, or the Bid Deposit, please contact us at:
Deposit: A $25,000 good-faith deposit is required to participate in the auction. Deposits must be submitted via bank wire. Bank wire instructions will be emailed to you upon completion of the online auction registration. Deposits for participants who were not successful in the auction will be returned within five business days from the date of the auction.
Bidding Details: Upon successful registration and receipt of the good-faith deposit, bidders may login to their account and bid once the auction starts. Bid increments are preset amounts and cannot be changed. In case of technical difficulties, or a change in the auction/lot status, bidders will be notified via email, and/or an auction lot’s details will be updated. It is the bidder’s responsibility to pay attention to bidding and be aware of any auction updates.
Placing a Maximum Bid: All bids placed are maximum bids. The website will enter the next bid increment and enter your bid as a maximum bid. The website will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid by the preset bid increment. Example: The current bid is $1000, and the bidder enters a maximum bid of $5000, with a bid increment of $100. The system will bid one increment ($1100) until the bidder's "Maximum Bid" is exceeded. EXCEPTION: If the bidder enters a bid equal to or above the reserve amount, then the system observes the reserve amount as the next increment. If a participants maximum bid is exceeded, the bidder will be notified by email or text message (if available) that they've been outbid. Bidders may increase the bid but not lower it. In the case of a tie bid, precedence is given to the earliest bid.
Auction Soft Close: All auction lots end with a "Soft Close." A "Soft Close" means if any bid is placed within the last (1) one minute of the close of the auction, the bid will automatically extend the closing time an additional (1) one minute. This feature protects bidders from being outbid without the opportunity to be notified and place another bid before the close of the auction.
Technical Problems and Transmission Issues: CWSAMS has made every reasonable effort to facilitate online bidding. However, it is possible that technical problems and transmission issues may arise and affect the CWSAMS website, bidding system and/or computer or server or your computer, personal devise or software which is beyond the control of CWSAMS. By bidding online Bidder acknowledges that CWSAMS is not responsible for technical problems or transmission issues associated with a bid and that, in the event technical problems interfere with or prevent a bid, it may be necessary to withdraw items from bidding due to technical errors or uncontrollable circumstances. Further, in the event of the occurrence of a technical problem during any bid in any auction, CWSAMS in its sole discretion reserves the right to declare an item sold, postpone or cancel the auction, extend the bidding time for this auction and/or re-list the property for auction at another date and time. The decision of CWSAMS on this matter shall be final. Bidder acknowledges that, by bidding in any auction held by CWSAMS, Bidder accepts the terms and conditions of this Disclaimer.
Successful Online High Bid Notification & Invoice: Payment invoices totaling all items successfully bid on will be emailed to the high bidders following the acceptance of the high bid by the Government. Successful bidders have 48 hours from the time the auction invoice is emailed to make payment in full. Acceptable form of payment is bank wire. Bank wire instructions will be included in the invoice email.
Auction End & Bid Approvals: When an auction lot closes, it will display either SOLD or UNSOLD. SOLD indicates the reserve was met and establishes the high bid for that item. Successful bidders will be notified via email of their status as the winning bidder and will be bound by the payment terms as found in the Terms of Sale. UNSOLD indicates the final bid did not meet the reserve. In this case, the high bid will be submitted to the Government for consideration. The Government has 72 hours to approve bids that did not meet the reserve. If the Government accepts the high bid, the bidder will receive an invoice via email.
Reserve: The federal Government and their agents reserve the right to accept or reject any and all bids. Property/merchandise is offered subject to acceptance of the seller. property/merchandise may be withdrawn at any time. The Government reserves the right to approve final transfer of property to the successful bidder, even after the auction closes.
Payment Form: Acceptable form of payment is bank wire only, via U.S. funds only. ACH payments will not be accepted
Final Payment: Final payment must be made within 48 hours following bid approval by the Government. The Government has 72 hours to approve bids that do not meet reserve.
PAYMENT MUST BE MADE BY THE SUCCESSFUL REGISTERED BIDDER/COMPANY. MONIES RECEIVED BY PARTIES OTHER THAN THE SUCCESSFUL REGISTERED BIDDER WILL BE DECLINED. Electronic bank transfers for final payment of purchases must originate from an account of the registered buyer or the business the buyer represents. The transfer must include the registered bidders name and bidder number. Any electronic bank transfers received from an account other than that of the registered bidder will not be accepted and will be returned to the originating bank.
Bank Wire: Bank wire instructions will be provided with the emailed invoice. Bank wire transfers (no ACH) must originate from an account of the registered buyer or the business the buyer represents. The transfer must include the registered buyer’s name and reference the lot(s) purchased. Any electronic bank transfers received from an account other than that of the registered bidder will not be accepted and will be returned to the originating bank. Bank wires must be received within the time frame specified for final payment and may take up to 24 hours to process. ACH payments will not be accepted.
Cash Payments: Cash payments are NOT accepted.
Cashier's Check Payment: Cashier’s Check Payments are NOT accepted.
Refunds: Neither THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AMENTUM nor CWSAMS make refunds, adjustments, or returns. All purchases are final.
Post Auction Invoicing, Payment and Documentation:
- Final Payment invoices will be emailed to Buyer upon Government approval, which can take up to 72 hours.
- Buyer to make final payment within 48 hours of bid approval.
- Following receipt of payment in full, Buyer will receive a Paid Receipt and the Property Release document by email. The Property Release document gives Buyer authority to remove property.
- Amentum / CWS will coordinate removal with Buyer, providing all necessary documentation and points of contact to initiate the removal of property.
Removal / Shipping: Removal is by appointment only and will be coordinated by Amentum and CWS with Buyer, after Buyer has received the necessary Property Release Document. The initial removal date must be set within five business days of payment in full.
IT IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE BUYER TO REMOVE THE PROPERTY/MERCHANDISE PURCHASED. REMOVAL IS AT THE EXPENSE, LIABILITY, AND RISK OF THE BUYER. The storage vendor will have two forklifts available to load trucks furnished by Buyer. All other personnel or equipment required for removal is at the responsibility and cost of Buyer.
Buyer must present a photo I.D. at the time of property/merchandise release. Should registered buyer wish to send an agent to pick up property/merchandise, buyer must prepare and sign a Release Authorization identifying the agent to act on his/her behalf, as well as provide agent with a copy of Buyer’s photo I.D. A release authorization template is located here https://www.cwsamsinc.com/gp/terms/RELEASEAUTHORIZATIONFORM.pdf.
Removal must be completed on or before the times referenced or buyer will default the terms of sale and property/merchandise will be resold by U.S. Department of the Treasury. Property/merchandise must be removed from the storage location stated in each lot description. BUYER AND VENDOR MUST SIGN PROPERTY/MERCHANDISE RELEASE DOCUMENT AND SUBMIT TO COPY TO AMENTUM AS PROOF OF DELIVERY TO BUYER. STORAGE ARRANGEMENTS AFTER REMOVAL DATES ABOVE ARE SOLELY BETWEEN THE BUYER AND VENDOR AND TERMS SHOULD BE DETERMINED PRIOR TO THE FINAL REMOVAL DATE. NO EXTENSIONS FOR PROPERTY/MERCHANDISE RELEASE, without consent of the Government. There is no guarantee of removal extension.
State Sales Tax: The auction company will not collect any tax for lots in this sale. Buyers are responsible for all applicable taxes imposed by any county, state, country or political subdivision. For information on taxes check with the appropriate state franchise tax board or other authority.
Default: Failure to make required payments or complete property/merchandise removal within time specified shall be deemed forfeiture of any right, title and interest buyer may have acquired in the property/merchandise. Said property/merchandise shall revert and repossess to the United States Government without further notice to the buyer and will result in any monies paid being forfeited and the transaction shall be null and void as to buyer.
Addition or Deletion from Sale: AMENTUM reserves the right to withdraw from sale any of the items listed, to sell at this auction items not listed, and to group or subdivide lots. AMENTUM reserves the right to sell all the items listed in bulk, whenever the best interests of the U.S. Government will be served.
Disputes & Rebids: The AMENTUM Sale Manager's decision is final in settling disputes. Bids are not retractable by the bidder. In the event of the auctioneer starting the bid over, this does not revive any previous bids. All bidding is at the discretion of the auctioneer, CWS Marketing Group, Amentum and the Federal Government.
Announcements / Additional Information: Announcements/email/post communications made during the sale process shall take precedence over previous information pertinent to that property/merchandise. Announcements do not alter in any way the basic terms and conditions of sale. Neither AMENTUM nor CWS accepts responsibility for loss of connectivity, technical difficulties or other circumstances beyond our control. Note: Each registered bidder is solely responsible for the use of his/her online auction account, and any use by another person is presumed to be with the consent of and contractually binding on the registered bidder. In order to comply with the Electronic Freedom of Information Act Amendments of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 552 (2000)), bid results will be published on a Government-designated website and will include the following: lot number, lot description, purchase price, and successful bidder's name.
Complete Terms and Conditions are available here.
