§ 437.32 - Equipment.

(a) Title. Subject to the obligations and conditions set forth in this section, title to equipment acquired under a grant or subgrant will vest upon acquisition in the grantee or subgrantee respectively.

(b) States. A State will use, manage, and dispose of equipment acquired under a grant by the State in accordance with State laws and procedures. Other grantees and subgrantees must follow paragraphs (c) through (e) of this section.

(c) Use. (1) Equipment must be used by the grantee or subgrantee in the program or project for which it was acquired as long as needed, whether or not the project or program continues to be supported by Federal funds. When no longer needed for the original program or project, the equipment may be used in other activities currently or previously supported by a Federal agency.

(2) The grantee or subgrantee must also make equipment available for use on other projects or programs currently or previously supported by the Federal Government, providing such use will not interfere with the work on the projects or program for which it was originally acquired. First preference for other use shall be given to other programs or projects supported by SSA. User fees should be considered if appropriate.

(3) Notwithstanding the encouragement in § 437.25(a) to earn program income, the grantee or subgrantee may not use equipment acquired with grant funds to provide services for a fee to compete unfairly with private companies that provide equivalent services, unless specifically permitted or contemplated by Federal statute.

(4) When acquiring replacement equipment, the grantee or subgrantee may use the equipment to be replaced as a trade-in or sell the property and use the proceeds to offset the cost of the replacement property, subject to the approval of SSA.

(d) Management requirements. Procedures for managing equipment (including replacement equipment), whether acquired in whole or in part with grant funds, until disposition takes place must meet the following minimum requirements:

(1) Property records must be maintained that include a description of the property, a serial number or other identification number, the source of property, who holds title, the acquisition date, and cost of the property, percentage of Federal participation in the cost of the property, the location, use and condition of the property, and any ultimate disposition data including the date of disposal and sale price of the property.

(2) A physical inventory of the property must be taken and the results reconciled with the property records at least once every two years.

(3) A control system must be developed to ensure adequate safeguards to prevent loss, damage, or theft of the property. Any loss, damage, or theft will be investigated.

(4) Adequate maintenance procedures must be developed to keep the property in good condition.

(5) If the grantee or subgrantee is authorized or required to sell the property, proper sales procedures must be established to ensure the highest possible return.

(e) Disposition. When original or replacement equipment acquired under a grant or subgrant is no longer needed for the original project or program or for other activities currently or previously supported by SSA or for other projects or programs currently or previously supported by the Federal government, disposition of the equipment will be made as follows:

(1) Items of equipment with a current per-unit fair market value of less than $5,000 may be retained, sold or otherwise disposed of with no further obligation to SSA.

(2) Items of equipment with a current per unit fair market value in excess of $5,000 may be retained or sold and SSA has a right to an amount calculated by multiplying the current market value or proceeds from sale by SSA's share of the equipment.

(3) In cases where a grantee or subgrantee fails to take appropriate disposition actions, SSA may direct the grantee or subgrantee to take excess and disposition actions.

(f) Federal equipment. In the event a grantee or subgrantee is provided federally-owned equipment:

(1) Title will remain vested in the Federal Government.

(2) Grantees or subgrantees will manage the equipment in accordance with SSA rules and procedures, and submit an annual inventory listing.

(3) When the equipment is no longer needed, the grantee or subgrantee will request disposition instructions from SSA.

(g) Right to transfer title. SSA may reserve the right to transfer title to the Federal Government or a third party named by SSA when such a third party is otherwise eligible under existing statutes. Such transfers are subject to the following standards:

(1) The property must be identified in the grant or otherwise made known to the grantee in writing.

(2) SSA will issue disposition instruction within 120 calendar days after the end of the Federal support of the project for which it was acquired. If SSA fails to issue disposition instructions within the 120 calendar-day period the grantee must follow paragraph (e) of this section.

(3) When title to equipment is transferred, the grantee will be paid an amount calculated by applying the percentage of participation in the purchase to the current fair market value of the property.