T.C.A. § 12-3-1202 (formerly § 12-3-1003) authorizes cities and counties to purchase used or secondhand goods, equipment, materials, supplies, or commodities from private individuals and entities without public advertisement and competitive bidding as long as the purchasing government documents the general range of value of the item through a listing in a nationally-recognized publication or through an appraisal by a licensed appraiser and the price is not more than 5% higher than the highest value of the documented range.  For a discussion of what constitutes a nationally-recognized publication under this statute, see Op. Tenn. Att'y Gen. 13-44 (June 10, 2013).

This statute also authorizes cities and counties to purchase used or secondhand goods, equipment, materials, supplies, or commodities from any federal, state, or local governmental unit without public advertisement or competitive solicitations.  Also see T.C.A. §12-2-420 (formerly T.C.A. § 12-3-1005) regarding transfer of surplus property among governmental entities.