Several hundred pieces of NPR’s used studio equipment are going to be auctioned, starting Feb. 28. The auction will help clear out items not going to the broadcaster’s new location in Washington. We’ve reported NPR’s move is on-track for April 1.
Any station or individual may participate in the online auction, being handled by Rasmus Auctioneers, however NPR member stations get a special 35% bidding credit. For example, a bid of $100 will require a station expenditure of $65.00 plus the bidder’s premium.
NPR VP/CTO and Executive Director of NPR Labs Mike Starling conservatively estimates some 1,000 pieces of equipment will be auctioned. Some items will include manuals and/or spare parts; the manuals will be especially handy in cases where the equipment documentation is not available online, he tells Radio World.
Most of the equipment is 15 years old, still in daily use, remains serviceable, and has been professionally maintained. The equipment ranges from patchbays to distribution amps, to compressor/limiters, consoles, and even includes studio doors and studio cabinetry.
Many pieces of gear will be auctioned in entire lot sales only, consisting of all the equipment in an entire studio; eight such studios will be auctioned. Also, several hundred individual equipment items in nonstudio facilities will also be sold — like remote gear, equipment in Master Control and the Network Operations Center along with equipment previously removed from service.
Winning bidders are responsible for the timely disassembly, pick-up and removal of items.
“If you are unable to safely pick up and remove your items during the removal times that have been scheduled for this sale, Please Do Not Bid,” notes NPR in a note to stations and Public Radio Satellite Service clients obtained by Radio World.
Scheduling elevator time for equipment removal is going to be crucial, according to Starling. The online auction begins Feb. 28 and closes on April 11. Bidders are encouraged to attend the scheduled inspection for this auction, which will take place on April 10, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Starling says personnel have been collecting out of service gear in preparation for the auction; they hope to post descriptions of several hundred items by next week.
NPR plans to soon host a webinar about the auction for its member stations and PRSS clients.
