Dept of Agriculture Orders Submachine Guns with 30 Round Magazine

Hingefactor

Member
All of the CT websites are lighting up with this story:

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Govern...rders-Submachine-Guns-With-30-Round-Magazines

The proposal checks out as being real:

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportu...01217d03b0354e1e18b69aa7bad&tab=core&_cview=0

So, what's the purpose behind such a specific proposal as this:

"...for the commerical acquisition of submachine guns, .40 Cal. S&W, ambidextrous safety, semi-automatic or 2 shot burts trigger group, Tritium night sights for front and rear, rails for attachment of flashlight (front under fore grip) and scope (top rear), stock-collapsilbe or folding, magazine - 30 rd. capacity, sling, light weight, and oversized trigger guard for gloved operation."

It seems kind've suspicious that the posting has some pretty heinous misspellings.

This purchase proposal plays right into the hands of the folks that thinks the government is arming up against the citizens.

Thoughts?
 
A simple search would reveal why the USDA agents may have need of firepower.... But the conspiracy promotion websites are only interested in the bits of information that support their narrative, even if it means not presenting all the pertinent facts.

Link


The U.S. Department of Agriculture has enforcement teeth.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG), Investigations, the USDA’s law enforcement branch, is authorized to conduct search and seizure operations; apprehend suspects; investigate fraud, animal abuse and agro-terrorism; and investigate nutrition program fraud, among other duties.

Mary Lewis, special agent in charge, USDA-OIG, Southwest Region, in Temple, Texas, says the Inspector General Act of 1978 and the Ag Food Act of 1981 gave the OIG the “authority and responsibility” to act as the USDA enforcement arm and to make arrests. The office in Temple covers nine Southwestern states.

Agents are armed.

Lewis, speaking at a recent USDA Office of Dispute Resolution training session in Salado, said agents investigate cases that involve USDA funds, including suspected food stamp fraud.

She has seen people attempt to sell their food stamp benefits on the Internet or use Food Stamp cards inappropriately for ineligible items such as cash, alcohol, gasoline, and gambling.

Most of the people who receive government benefits, she said, are qualified and eligible. “A few mess it up for others.”

She said agents investigate fraud, waste, abuse, criminal activity, and ineligible use of USDA funds. Some cases have included confiscating high-value cars from people fraudulently receiving food stamps and other USDA benefits, Lewis said. “We look into misuse of loan and grant funds and improper and false claims,” Lewis said. “We are privy to USDA records.” While the great majority of farm program recipients are eligible and participate appropriately, we may see some disaster payment fraud because of the 2012 drought,” she added. Agents also investigate suspected criminal activity committed by or against USDA employees.

Fraud cases have a five year statute of limitations. Making false statements on a loan application has a 10-year statute of limitations.

“We sometimes work with the FBI and the Secret Service—as well as local law enforcement—as needed,” Lewis said. OIG assists local law enforcement locate fugitive felons by utilizing information maintained by USDA.

Nationally, OIG-Investigations had 793 indictments, 538 convictions, and $106.3 million monetary results in fiscal year 2012. She said priorities of the office include safety and security, including food security; integrity, investigating embezzlement and bribery; improving management, improving systems and procedures; protecting natural resources; and improving workforce efficiency.

She said criminal statutes such as animal fighting, depicting animal cruelty for sale, money laundering and conspiracy also come under the office’s purview.

USDA OIG’s cases are varied as there are approximately 300 programs under USDA they are responsible for policing. Violations that are common are aiding and abetting, food stamp trafficking and theft of government funds. They also look into misrepresentation of organic food production. Lewis said OIG investigated the Michael Vick dog fighting case. Many of the animal fighting cases also involve the sale or receipt of stolen goods.

“We have an emergency response program to help secure agriculture infrastructure and prevent attacks on American agriculture production.”

Working to prevent agro-terrorism, as with intentionally exposing livestock to diseases such as foot and mouth disease, is part of the program.

“And we make recommendations to USDA to promote efficiency in programs and operations,” Lewis said.
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Link

Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 and Section 1337 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-98), OIG Investigations is the law enforcement arm of the Department, with Department-wide investigative jurisdiction. OIG Special Agents conduct investigations of significant criminal activities involving USDA programs, operations, and personnel, and are authorized to make arrests, execute warrants, and carry firearms. The types of investigations conducted by OIG Special Agents involve criminal activities such as frauds in subsidy, price support, benefits, and insurance programs; significant thefts of Government property or funds; bribery; extortion; smuggling; and assaults on employees. Investigations involving criminal activity that affects the health and safety of the public, such as meat packers who knowingly sell hazardous food products and individuals who tamper with food regulated by USDA, are also high-profile investigative priorities. In addition, OIG Special Agents are poised to provide emergency law enforcement response to USDA declared emergencies and suspected incidents of terrorism affecting USDA regulated industries, as well as USDA programs, operations, personnel, and installations, in coordination with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, as appropriate.
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That sounds completely reasonable to me. Unfortunately, the CTer's are just going to use this to ramp up their anti-government rhetoric, especially those who are Bundy supporters.
 
This is a "Sources Sought" notice type. They're not buying them yet. Also, since when to typos signal evil government intentions?
 
It doesn't state what quantity they are looking for. That might help give some perspective.

Anyone feel like calling Linda?? :)

Primary Point of Contact.:
Linda F. Josey,
Chief, Procurement Management Branch
linda.josey@oig.usda.gov
Phone: 2027208337
 
That sounds completely reasonable to me. Unfortunately, the CTer's are just going to use this to ramp up their anti-government rhetoric, especially those who are Bundy supporters.

It isn't just the regular conspiracy believers.

Notice the Breitbart link. This noise is being pushed out to the Republican base. I've seen it posted today on a surfing forum, a canoe and kayak forum, and on facebook by people that aren't you're stereotypical hardcore Alex Jones devotes. I'm wondering what is the aim of blowing on the anti-government fire by people that ultimately want to control the government by winning the next election.
 
The links don't seem to mention how much firepower they're buying, but I'm betting its on the order of the other agency orders that CT websites have lit up about, and those mostly ranged from thousands to tends of thousands of rounds.

The sort of actions that conspiracy theorists think these purchases are preparing for would require tens of millions of rounds, and I'm being conservative. In a firefight, a lot more ammunition is used for things like suppression and intimidation than actually go into the enemy. In Iraq, the US fired about 250,000 rounds for every kill. Figures I've read for past wars are in similar range or higher (WW2 estimates are just ridiculous, with 47 billion rounds of ammunition being shipped to combat zones just from US manufacturers).

With the sort of weapons that various federal agencies have been buying, their combined forces would have difficulty maintaining martial law on a few rural counties, let alone an entire state or the country itself.
 
The links don't seem to mention how much firepower they're buying, but I'm betting its on the order of the other agency orders that CT websites have lit up about, and those mostly ranged from thousands to tends of thousands of rounds.

The sort of actions that conspiracy theorists think these purchases are preparing for would require tens of millions of rounds, and I'm being conservative. In a firefight, a lot more ammunition is used for things like suppression and intimidation than actually go into the enemy. In Iraq, the US fired about 250,000 rounds for every kill. Figures I've read for past wars are in similar range or higher (WW2 estimates are just ridiculous, with 47 billion rounds of ammunition being shipped to combat zones just from US manufacturers).

With the sort of weapons that various federal agencies have been buying, their combined forces would have difficulty maintaining martial law on a few rural counties, let alone an entire state or the country itself.

The links don't say how much they're buying because they're not buying anything yet. The announcement is to establish sources for these weapons. Government procurement is a many splendored thing.
 
this is what I find odd...

1) if you do a search on FBO.gov, only two results show up in the past year for USDA OIG, the one mentioned above and another posted on the same day for ballistic vests.
2) The Solicitation Number(s) aren't consistent with any other numbers used by the Department of Ag., most of the others requests start with AG-. Using USDA-OIG then WEA and the date just isn't how the Fed assigns numbers (it would make too much sense)
3) I've read a lot of RFP/RFIs and the wording in this request seems odd. There is usually a lot of information/specs about what needs to be submitted and how it should formatted...never have I seen, 'send us your name and phone number'.

while it might be true and there is a reasonable explanation...it may also be an elaborate hoax. it wouldn't be that difficult to get a fake posting on the FBO.gov website.
 
this is what I find odd...

1) if you do a search on FBO.gov, only two results show up in the past year for USDA OIG, the one mentioned above and another posted on the same day for ballistic vests.
2) The Solicitation Number(s) aren't consistent with any other numbers used by the Department of Ag., most of the others requests start with AG-. Using USDA-OIG then WEA and the date just isn't how the Fed assigns numbers (it would make too much sense)
3) I've read a lot of RFP/RFIs and the wording in this request seems odd. There is usually a lot of information/specs about what needs to be submitted and how it should formatted...never have I seen, 'send us your name and phone number'.

while it might be true and there is a reasonable explanation...it may also be an elaborate hoax. it wouldn't be that difficult to get a fake posting on the FBO.gov website.

I'd agree though that the language is unusual. The "has a requirement for commercial acquisition" lingo is new. "Linda F. Josey" has never been a primary point of contact before. "Desiree Clayton" appears on a few solicitations.

My suspicion here is that it's genuine, but something new. Possibly the result of some restructuring, where some LEOs that were under another branch are now under OIG-Investigation.
 
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The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General," seeks "Body Armor as well . I think its absolutely ludicrous the USDA the BLM etc should be armed at all . Thats what Law Enforcement is for .

The BLM is law enforcement on the lands they manage. Just like Ranger Rick in Yellowstone who also carries a gun and is law enforcement.

...and with guys like Bundy around it is clear that it is appropriate.
 
The BLM is law enforcement on the lands they manage. Just like Ranger Rick in Yellowstone who also carries a gun and is law enforcement.

...and with guys like Bundy around it is clear that it is appropriate.
Yea if they werent ARMED they never would have had a standoff . They accomplished nothing by being armed .
 
Without wishing to roam off-topic, a semi-auto by definition is not a sub-machine-gun unless it is capable of full-auto: Sorry to be pedantic but I think the correct definition would be a carbine.

Secondly, the .40 S&W is a fine round, but it is still a low velocity projectile regardless of how big the magazines are, so will likely not penetrate body armour, especially of they are using the hollow-point rounds favoured by law enforcement in the US.

So the weapon is hardly an act of war, and in cases such as the Bundy-ites vs Everybody else, the DoA are likely to find themselves outgunned, even with their shiny new Carbines...
 
Yea if they werent ARMED they never would have had a standoff . They accomplished nothing by being armed .

That's funny! what a blzzare prism you look through.

There would not have been a stand off if Bundy wasn't a law breaking, govt subsidy fraudster.

It's completely logical and understandable why entities like the USDA and BLM would need to arm themselves.

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/law_enforcement.html

http://www.usda.gov/oig/invest.htm

Keep in mind the US Forest Service is part of the USDA:

http://www.fs.fed.us/lei/
 
That's funny! what a blzzare prism you look through.

There would not have been a stand off if Bundy wasn't a law breaking, govt subsidy fraudster.

It's completely logical and understandable why entities like the USDA and BLM would need to arm themselves.

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/law_enforcement.html

http://www.usda.gov/oig/invest.htm

Keep in mind the US Forest Service is part of the USDA:

http://www.fs.fed.us/lei/
They dont need machine guns and body armor . My bizarre prism ? I don't worship government and make excuses for them .
 
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General," seeks "Body Armor as well . I think its absolutely ludicrous the USDA the BLM etc should be armed at all . Thats what Law Enforcement is for . http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/...an-Antonio-police-to-arrest-organic-activists .

Already explained up thread that USDA has LE division.

https://www.metabunk.org/threads/de...guns-with-30-round-magazine.3653/#post-105856

as does the National Park Service, BLM, Florida Fish and Wildlife (and every other state DNR or DNR equivalent). Would you rather have one giant national police force that does everything from traffic stops to conservation enforcement?
 
They dont need machine guns and body armor . My bizarre prism ? I don't worship government and make excuses for them .

Thats not for you to decide.

I dont "worship the government"- thats just you being spiteful - but I do have a very high respect for those in law enforcement - no matter what agency they are from. If they feel a need for machine guns then I suspect they have a very good reason for it.

No excuses are needed for proper law enforcement.
 
As a general rule, as far back as the 1800's law enforcement buys equivalent equipment to those used by the criminals they deal with. Most police departments have weapons like this, even if you normally see them with pistols and the occasional shotgun.

The point made above about why they don't need them is spot on as to why: "Yea if they werent ARMED they never would have had a standoff." They would not have had a stand off because they would have come unarmed and found themselves obstructed by a group armed with high end weaponry. They would have gone home, leaving the laws they are tasked to enforce unenforced, and leaving those who have broken them free to break them with impunity.
 
Already explained up thread that USDA has LE division.

https://www.metabunk.org/threads/de...guns-with-30-round-magazine.3653/#post-105856

as does the National Park Service, BLM, Florida Fish and Wildlife (and every other state DNR or DNR equivalent). Would you rather have one giant national police force that does everything from traffic stops to conservation enforcement?
It is the National thing that bothers me . The State as with the Florida Fish and Wildlife is fine because it Isn't controlled by the FEDS . I have a problem with the executive branch having its own police force . If you have ANY Examples of them needing this firepower for some reason Id like someone to post it ? We already have a civilian force . They are called armed Americans .
 
Thats not for you to decide.

I dont "worship the government"- thats just you being spiteful - but I do have a very high respect for those in law enforcement - no matter what agency they are from. If they feel a need for machine guns then I suspect they have a very good reason for it.

No excuses are needed for proper law enforcement.
I have plenty respect for those in law enforcement and know many and have family in law enforcement that also agree with me . Well I don't look through any Bizarre prisms either its called a Opinion .
 
Call in the local police . Thats what they are for .
Your average local department is not the NYPD with assault vehicles and modified tanks at their disposal. Your average local police department is lucky if they're manned and equipped to handle traffic enforcement on a necessary scale, most of them need to call in higher departments to deal with street gangs, who on average are packing cheap pistols and woefully misinformed on their effective use.
 
Your average local department is not the NYPD with assault vehicles and modified tanks at their disposal. Your average local police department is lucky if they're manned and equipped to handle traffic enforcement on a necessary scale, most of them need to call in higher departments to deal with street gangs, who on average are packing cheap pistols and woefully misinformed on their effective use.
Id disgree 100% . Seems they've been equipping themselves pretty well . https://www.aclu.org/militarization
 
I have a problem with the executive branch having its own police force

Why? The Executive Branch has one of the oldest police force in the Nation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Park_Police

The United States Park Police (USPP) is one of the oldest uniformed federal law enforcement agencies in the United States. It functions as a full-service law enforcement agency with responsibilities and jurisdiction in those National Park Service areas primarily located in the Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York City areas and certain other government lands. The United States Park Police is one of the few full-service police departments in the federal government that possess both state and federal authority. In addition to performing the normal crime prevention, investigation, and apprehension functions of an urban police force, the Park Police are responsible for policing many of the famous monuments in the United States. The USPP shares law enforcement jurisdiction in all lands administered by the National Park Service with a force of National Park Service Rangers tasked with the same law enforcement powers and responsibilities. The agency also provides protection for the President, Secretary of the Interior, and visiting dignitaries. The Park Police is a unit of the National Park Service, which is a bureau of the Department of the Interior.
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http://www.nps.gov/uspp/


The USDA does a lot of law enforcement work- who are you to say they do not need body armor or machine guns?(again- we dont know how many they are seeking which would add some clarity and perspective)

http://www.usda.gov/oig/invest.htm

Pursuant to the Inspector General Act of 1978 and Section 1337 of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-98), OIG Investigations is the law enforcement arm of the Department, with Department-wide investigative jurisdiction. OIG Special Agents conduct investigations of significant criminal activities involving USDA programs, operations, and personnel, and are authorized to make arrests, execute warrants, and carry firearms. The types of investigations conducted by OIG Special Agents involve criminal activities such as frauds in subsidy, price support, benefits, and insurance programs; significant thefts of Government property or funds; bribery; extortion; smuggling; and assaults on employees. Investigations involving criminal activity that affects the health and safety of the public, such as meat packers who knowingly sell hazardous food products and individuals who tamper with food regulated by USDA, are also high-profile investigative priorities. In addition, OIG Special Agents are poised to provide emergency law enforcement response to USDA declared emergencies and suspected incidents of terrorism affecting USDA regulated industries, as well as USDA programs, operations, personnel, and installations, in coordination with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies, as appropriate.
Content from External Source
 
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