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 live in-person auction w/ online bidding available. All bidding will take place during the days and times indicated 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: This is an In-Person Live Auction event with Online Bidding also available. All registration takes place online at cwsmarketing.com. There is no in-person registration.
- Registering for and participating in the aluminum auction requires participants to have an online auction account set-up with CWS Marketing Group. Click the “Create Account” button at the top right of the CWS homepage or click here to create an account.
- Allow one business day (Monday through Friday) for approval of your new CWS auction account. You will receive an email notice once approved.
- Once your auction account is approved, login to your account and register for the auction by clicking on “Register to Bid” on the aluminum auction catalog page.
- Upon submission of your registration, your account will show as “Pending” until receipt of the good-faith bank wire deposit.
- DEPOSIT: Upon completion of registration online, you will need to submit a $100,000 earnest money deposit by bank wire, which is fully refundable if no purchases are made. Bank wire deposits must be received no later than 2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. No extensions for deposit submission.
- Upon receipt of the earnest money deposit, your auction account will be approved for bidding.
- Auction registration closes at 2:00pm PT/5:00pm ET on Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Deposit: A $100,000 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.
Auction Participation: Approved bidders may participate in the auction in-person in Riverside, CA or online at cwsmarketing.com.
- In-person bidders must provide a valid Government issued photo ID that matches the one on file with their CWS auction account to obtain a bidder paddle and auction catalog.
- On the day of the live auction, approved in-person bidders will participate in the live auction and bid in real-time against those bidders participating in the auction online.
- Pre-bids can be submitted online prior to the start of the live auction for all approved bidders. (see below for details on pre-bids).
- Audio and/or video feeds of the live auction may be provided as a courtesy to online bidders.
- Online Bidding Only:
- Online bidding will take place at cwsmarketing.com.
- The day of the auction, beginning approximately one hour prior to the start of the auction, on the auction catalog page, Click on VIEW LIVE SALE NOW button and the first lot will display on your screen.
- The auctioneer will introduce the first auction lot and start the bidding with the highest Pre-Bid or a live floor bid. Online bidders will need to watch the screen for current bids and the next increment the auctioneer is asking for.
- The online auction system might signal FAIR WARNING prior to the auction lot closing. Bidding goes very quickly, therefore please pay attention to the current bids on your screen. Bidders are strongly encouraged to not delay in submitting online bids, as the auctioneer can close bidding on any lot at their discretion.
- When a lot is sold or passed, this will be listed on the bidding platform, and the next lot will appear on screen and will be open for bidding.
- Receipt of all bids is at the discretion of the auctioneer. In the case of a tie bid, precedence is given to in-person floor bidders.
- In the case of technical difficulties, or a change in the auction/lot status, bidders will be notified via email or directly through the online platform. It is the bidder’s responsibility to pay attention to bidding and be aware of any auction or lot updates.
- CWS, Amentum and The U.S. Treasury are not responsible for technical difficulties, and auction participants will hold harmless the above for any technical difficulties that may arise.
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Pre/Absentee Bids (Pre-Bids) Via Online:
- If you are not able or chose to not participate in-person or online during the live event, you can still participate in the auction by submitting Pre-Bids prior to the start of the live auction.
- Pre-Bids can be placed starting approximately 48 hours prior to the start of the live auction.
- Pre-Bids are maximum bids, which bidders can submit online prior to the live auction starts, beginning approximately 48 hours prior to the live auction.
- Pre-Bids may be submitted up until the designated time before the auction starts.
- Pre-Bids can’t be modified or retracted and are binding. Ne exceptions
- All Pre-Bids submitted will be viewable to auction participants at the time they are submitted.
- Your Pre-Bid will be treated as your maximum bid and executed by the auction system or auction clerk will bid automatically on your behalf by the next bid increment. Your maximum will not be triggered unless bidding reaches this amount. Again, bidders can place bids either in real time during the auction or as an absentee bid leading up to the start of the auction.
- If the maximum amount of your Pre-Bid is exceeded, you may then join the bidding live online.
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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 forms of payment are 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.
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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 estimated that it could take ten weeks or more for removal. Once removal begins, Buyer must complete it within 12 weeks, unless an extension is granted by the Government.
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 bidder paddle and/or 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.
View Complete Terms and Conditions.
