What happened
A US government investigation found that federal agencies sold off used laboratory equipment that could be used to develop bioweapons to apparent resellers. The equipment, including freeze dryers and mass spectrometers, was sold at a fraction of its original cost. The items were listed as used and/or in need of repair, and some were purchased by individuals and companies that appeared to be resellers.
The investigation, conducted by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), found that the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture sold nine pieces of equipment that were on the US Interactive Commerce Control List, which flags items that require an export license due to their potential for use in biological warfare.
The GAO discovered that the equipment was sold through online auctions and to individuals and companies that had also purchased other types of federally owned lab equipment. In some cases, the buyers had purchased over 100 pieces of equipment from the same agencies over a three-year period.
The investigation also found that the agencies did not report the equipment's appearance on the export control list to the General Services Administration, as required. The GAO determined that the individuals and companies were able to buy the restricted items at a fraction of the original acquisition cost, with some items selling for as little as $29.
