# GovDeals Scraper — Government Surplus Auction Lots (`crawloop/govdeals-scraper`) Actor

Scrape public GovDeals government surplus auctions. Returns the title, current bid, bid count, agency, category, city, state, and closing time. Search by keyword and state. No login.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/crawloop/govdeals-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Andrej Kiva](https://apify.com/crawloop) (community)
- **Categories:** E-commerce, Automation
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $3.00 / 1,000 surplus lots

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

## GovDeals Scraper — Government Surplus Auction Lots

> **Disclaimer:** Unofficial tool — not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Liquidity Services, Inc. or GovDeals. Data is read from publicly accessible auction search results only. No login. You are responsible for complying with applicable law (including GDPR where personal data appears) and the site’s terms. No warranty on accuracy or availability. Provided for informational and research use.

Scrape live government surplus auction lots: title, current bid, bid count, selling agency, category, city, state, and closing time. Built for resellers, fleet buyers, and anyone comparing surplus lots with a GovDeals scraper from Python, Node.js, or an AI assistant over MCP.

GovDeals Scraper ◄── you are here

| Actor | What it adds |
| :--- | :--- |
| GovDeals Scraper | Public surplus lots, bids, agency, and closing time ◄── you are here |
| [GovPlanet Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/govplanet-scraper) | Military and government surplus on GovPlanet |
| [Ritchie Bros Auction Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/rbauction-scraper) | Ritchie Bros equipment auctions |
| [Copart Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/copart-scraper) | Salvage vehicle lots and VINs |
| [IAAI Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/iaai-scraper) | IAAI salvage auctions |
| [Surplus Record Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/surplusrecord-scraper) | Used machinery dealer listings |

### When to use

Use this Actor when you need a repeatable export of public surplus lots by keyword and US state.

Skip it when you need a signed-in bid history, a VIN decode, or lots that are not on the public catalog search.

### Key features

- Keyword search and a US state filter (name or postal code)
- Current bid, bid count, increment, reserve flags, and closing time
- Agency or seller name, category, make, model, and year when the catalog publishes them
- City, state, and ZIP. Street lines and bidder ids are not saved
- Sort by ending soon or highest current bid
- JSON, CSV, Excel, or API. No login

### Input

| Field | Description |
| :--- | :--- |
| `searchQuery` | Catalog keywords, such as `ford` or `excavator` |
| `state` | State name or code, such as `Texas` or `TX` |
| `maxItems` | Stop after this many lots (default 50, max 1000) |
| `sort` | `endingSoon` or `highestBid` |

Provide a keyword, a state, or both.

```json
{
  "searchQuery": "ford",
  "state": "TX",
  "maxItems": 50,
  "sort": "endingSoon"
}
```

### Output

One dataset row is one lot.

| Field | Description |
| :--- | :--- |
| `title` | Lot title |
| `currentBid` | Current bid |
| `bidCount` | Number of bids |
| `seller` | Agency or seller name |
| `category` | Catalog category |
| `city`, `state` | Pickup area |
| `auctionEnd` | Closing time (UTC when the catalog sends it) |
| `url` | Public lot page |
| `photo` | Primary photo |

```json
{
  "id": "31281-1",
  "title": "2017 Ford F450 type I ambulance",
  "currentBid": 4200,
  "currency": "USD",
  "bidCount": 6,
  "seller": "Seminole, TX",
  "category": "Trucks",
  "city": "Seminole",
  "state": "TX",
  "auctionEnd": "2026-10-21T18:00:00Z",
  "url": "https://www.govdeals.com/asset/1/31281",
  "make": "Ford",
  "model": "F450"
}
```

### Use cases

- Watch trucks or equipment closing in one state
- Compare current bids before a surplus buy
- Feed a sheet or warehouse with agency, category, and closing time
- Hand the JSON to an assistant that summarizes lots ending this week

### Integration examples

#### Node.js

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from "apify-client";

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: process.env.APIFY_TOKEN });
const run = await client.actor("crawloop/govdeals-scraper").call({
  searchQuery: "ford",
  state: "TX",
  maxItems: 20,
});
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items);
```

#### Python

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient()
run = client.actor("crawloop/govdeals-scraper").call(run_input={
    "searchQuery": "excavator",
    "state": "TX",
    "maxItems": 20,
})
items = client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).list_items().items
print(items)
```

#### cURL

```bash
curl "https://api.apify.com/v2/acts/crawloop~govdeals-scraper/runs?token=$APIFY_TOKEN" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"searchQuery":"ford","state":"TX","maxItems":20}'
```

### MCP and AI assistants

Use this Actor from AI tools via [Apify MCP](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp).
Connect your Apify account, then call this Actor by its Store name `crawloop/govdeals-scraper`.

Example prompts:

- "Run GovDeals Scraper for Ford trucks in Texas and return title, current bid, city, and closing time."
- "Find GovDeals excavator lots ending soon and list the seller, state, and bid count."
- "After the GovDeals export, open GovPlanet Scraper for other government surplus equipment."

### Suite next step

For other government surplus equipment, run [GovPlanet Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/govplanet-scraper). When the lot is a salvage vehicle, run [Copart Scraper](https://apify.com/crawloop/copart-scraper).

### FAQ

#### Does this log in or place bids?

No. It reads the public catalog search. It does not sign in, watch, or bid.

#### Why is the VIN missing?

The catalog row used here publishes the bid, agency, location, and closing time. VIN and the full photo gallery live on the lot page and are not in this export.

#### Can I pass a state code?

Yes. `TX` and `Texas` both limit the search to Texas.

# Actor input Schema

## `searchQuery` (type: `string`):

Words matched by the public GovDeals catalog search, such as ford, excavator, or fire truck. Provide a keyword, a state, or both.

## `state` (type: `string`):

US state name or postal code, such as Texas or TX. Limits lots to that state.

## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):

Stop after this many saved lots.

## `sort` (type: `string`):

Order of the catalog pages.

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "searchQuery": "ford",
  "state": "TX",
  "maxItems": 50,
  "sort": "endingSoon"
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

Default dataset items.

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "searchQuery": "ford",
    "state": "TX"
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("crawloop/govdeals-scraper").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "searchQuery": "ford",
    "state": "TX",
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("crawloop/govdeals-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "searchQuery": "ford",
  "state": "TX"
}' |
apify call crawloop/govdeals-scraper --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,crawloop/govdeals-scraper"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/wadOlmFHy0LVupPIN/builds/ebzF7qYNCug5l46Ti/openapi.json