How Are Governments Sold on Auctions, Auctioneer, and Auction Services?

Consulting & Professional Services • Sep 22, 2017

As a young child, I first learned about the excitement of an auction! I vividly and fondly recall attending auctions, alongside a variety of family members. So, there was my entry into the world of auctions. It isn’t very difficult to find an auction near you. Auctions have been around for 2,000 years, and speaking of thousands, there are many thousands of auctions held in the U.S. and Canada each year

Over the years, I’ve come to learn there are a variety of types of auctions, reasons for auctions, and terms used in the auction world. Now, I also know that governments, throughout the U.S. and Canada, are actively involved in holding auctions. As a matter of fact, government auctions are one of the leading types of auctions today.

Akin to private entities, there are a variety of reasons governments hold auctions. An auction creates competitive bidding, which can lead to higher returns. Auction services vendors assist with planning, drawing attention, maximizing exposure, and ensuring potential buyers are maximized. Governments can quickly unload items at current market value. Similar to privates, auctions limit high carrying costs.

Think about it. Quite rare is the case that a government agency has an auctioneer, or auction services expertise, on staff. Auction comes from the Latin word “auctus,” which means “increasing”. So far in 2017, as compared to 2016, we have noted a 326% increase in the number of U.S. and Canadian government solicitations we have identified for “auction”, “auctioneers”, and “auction services”.

Photo by Francesco Gallarotti / Unsplash

Some Data (from past 12 months)

We identified 473 total RFPs/solicitations from the public sector, for a variety of auction-related services and solutions. Here is some of the data we extracted from our BidPrime database. In June ’17, there were 57 applicable requests. So far in ’17, there have been four months with 50+ auction-related solicitations. See below for a handful of RFPs/bid requests representative of the solicitation activity we have witnessed.

Leading U.S. Regions

New York
Lousiana
New Jersey
Ohio
Massachusetts

Leading Canadian Regions

City of Dawson
Canada
City of White Rock
Government of Nova Scotia
BC Timber Sales

Sample active bids / RFPs

Auctions

Without a doubt, the substantial rise in requests is quite notable. It is also without question that governments will, as always, continue to outsource in conducting auctions. Maybe I will see you at tne next auction. Are you ready?

For the list of applicable RFPs/solicitations, and the specifications, please call us at 888.808.5356, or visit: BidPrime.