The department and any public entity listed in s. 217.16, may designate by appropriate resolution or order any officer, employee or agency to enter a bid or bids in its or their behalf for any surplus property, real or personal, offered for lease, sale or other disposal by the United States, or any owning or disposal agency thereof, and may authorize such officer, employee or agency to make any down payment, or payment in full, required in connection with such bidding.
Fla. Stat. § 217.17