Created in 1957, the Department of Administration acts as the business manager for North Carolina state government. The department oversees Government Operations such as building construction, purchasing and contracting for goods and services, managing state vehicles, acquiring and disposing of real property, and operating auxiliary services such as courier mail delivery and the sale of state and federal surplus property. In addition, the department provides facility services and advocacy programs. Facility services include the maintenance of state-owned buildings and grounds, and the department's advocacy programs provide advocacy, assistance and services to diverse segments of the state's population that have been traditionally underserved.