SS Admin to Purchase 174000 Rounds of Hollow Point Bullets

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by miclo18d

That's about 400 rounds per person that runs a gun at the SSA, perhaps double that as only the CI's have guns. Barely enough rounds to keep them qualified[.]

Does this analysis suggest that the question needs to be turned on its head from "Why so much ammunition?" to "Why so little?"

And from there, could this purchase add to the criticism -- coming from the right and the left -- that the current administration is simply not focused on providing good governance? (That is, the president wants more laws and regulations but has proven unwilling to make sure that the laws already on the books are enforced.)

[Inflexible Six]

I have to go to St Petersburg and help my mom find a place for the truckload of .40 HP that came with her Social Security check.

[JJ_BPK]

Originally Posted by Richard

Enforcement is a good point - there are security guards at those govt office bldgs here in Dallas.

and I bet that Engrish is a 2nd language??

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by Pete

As a side note/question - at the buildings that do have guards - at they SSA/IRS employees or is building security contracted out?

Suspect largely contracted out. Retired buddy from agency across the river (same outfit attempting to find out who committed armed robbery of your cheese) UN-retired himself for a part-time gig with them at an IRS office.

Not to dilute the discussion, but there's a possibility that the ammo could get split out across other agencies and that the buy was simply executed by the agency that had a contracting vehicle in place to execute with. End of FY is fast approaching and those who spend the most get the most on 1 October....
Most here are familiar with that battle drill on some level.

jes' sayin'

[promask7]

Originally Posted by Badger52

Suspect largely contracted out. Retired buddy from agency across the river (same outfit attempting to find out who committed armed robbery of your cheese) UN-retired himself for a part-time gig with them at an IRS office.

Not to dilute the discussion, but there's a possibility that the ammo could get split out across other agencies and that the buy was simply executed by the agency that had a contracting vehicle in place to execute with. End of FY is fast approaching and those who spend the most get the most on 1 October....
Most here are familiar with that battle drill on some level.

jes' sayin'

That’s correct, I work for a security outfit that holds a federal contract with FPS(Federal Protective Service). I can say that all federal agencies within the state of Washington have at least one armed guard standing a post, in some cases several. I’ve worked SSA’s in the past in and around Seattle, and the fact that the ammo is .357 sig struck me as odd. It’s all .40 cal here.

[miclo18d]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Does this analysis suggest that the question needs to be turned on its head from "Why so much ammunition?" to "Why so little?"

And from there, could this purchase add to the criticism -- coming from the right and the left -- that the current administration is simply not focused on providing good governance? (That is, the president wants more laws and regulations but has proven unwilling to make sure that the laws already on the books are enforced.)

Not trying to change the OP or to suggest anything, just making an observation.

Observation is that 174.000 rounds of ammo for an agency that has (up to) 420 gun wielding Criminal Investigators, doesn't amount to so much ammo as to be able to purport a conspiracy of government take over. You pointed out the website and I noticed that many SSA officials ARE indeed armed which requires a basic load and rounds for training.

400 rounds for training isn't that much considering I have gone through certain courses where I shot probably more than 3000 9mm rounds in about a week and team training where 400 rounds of pistol ammo per person in one day would be a call for the Bravo's head, for not ordering enough ammo.

[tim180a]

I am currently employed by the SSA. All Social Security field offices have "contract" security guards which provide security during hours when offices are open to the public. I asked several guards about the ammunition purchase. They said the ammunition is purchased by OIG and provided to the guards for their annual qualification. Three years ago they did carry .357 Sig, but have since changed to 9mm. I can't imagine a government entity not knowing what caliber it's security forces carry.

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by tim180a

Three years ago they did carry .357 Sig, but have since changed to 9mm. I can't imagine a government entity not knowing what caliber it's security forces carry.

Actually I can absolutely imagine it but, putting them in the best light, perhaps it's a "buy" for someone else. Who else still carries .357 Sig? USSS I thought awhile back, perhaps some others, dunno.

(Not trying to reinforce my previous point necessarily, but it does happen in the G alot.)

"My contracting office is overloaded/I can't execute that big an amount/I can't write such'n'such sole-source justification/blah-blah .
"BUT, Harry or Jean over at Agency-X could do it. Their $-execution rate looks better, and my $-obligation rate looks better - maybe we'll BOTH get our budget increases for FY13....and an AWARD"

...so it sometimes goes. It really isn't much ammo per armed person; hell I fire that at a weekend match.

[WholeManin2010]

Originally Posted by Badger52

Who else still carries .357 Sig? USSS I thought awhile back, perhaps some others, dunno.

FAMs did when my former unit trained with them last year. Pretty sure they still do.

[Dusty]

Originally Posted by Badger52

Who else still carries .357 Sig?

Ziva's BUG is .357 Sig...

[The Reaper]

Dibs if they can't use it all!

TR

[tonyz]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Ziva's BUG is .357 Sig...

That's so hot.

[Badger52]

Originally Posted by Dusty

Ziva's BUG is .357 Sig...

Ever the eye for what counts.

[Paslode]

The Social Security Administration posted a blog on Thursday to explain why it was planning to purchase 174,000 hollow point bullets.

SSA posted a “Request for Quote for Ammunition” on the FedBizOps.gov website on Aug. 7. The request listed the commodity that SSA desired as “.357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition.” The quantity listed was “174 TH.”

The SSA’s Office of the Inspector General’s said it posted a new blog on the agency’s website, “Beyond the Numbers,” “as we strive to be a transparent and accountable government organization for all of our stakeholders.

“With those goals in mind, we thought it would be appropriate to address recent media reports regarding the organization’s purchase of ammunition for our special agents’ duty weapons,” the blog post states.

The blog states that the SSA has 295 special agents who work in 66 offices across the United States.

“These investigators have full law enforcement authority, including executing search warrants and making arrests,” the blog post states. “Our investigators are similar to your State or local police officers.

“They use traditional investigative techniques, and they are armed when on official duty,” the blog post states.

Concern expressed in some media reports about the type of ammunition ordered by the agency is unfounded, the blog states, explaining that the .357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacked hollow point pistol ammunition is “standard issue for many law enforcement agencies” and is appropriate for the work agents perform.

“Our special agents need to be armed and trained appropriately,” the blog post states. “They not only investigate allegations of Social Security fraud, but they also are called to respond to threats against Social Security offices, employees, and customers.”

The blog also links to another post about a fight that broke out near an SSA office in Massachusetts that required action by law enforcement officials.

“SSA is processing more applications than ever, which means more traffic in SSA office,” the blog states. “Employee and visitor safety is the highest priority for OIG, which, together with the Federal Protective Services and local law enforcement, has jurisdiction over SSA workplaces.”

Prior to the blog being posted, CNSNews.com had asked the agency specific questions about its ammunition order. Although some of those questions were addressed by the information provided in the blog, the agency did not say why it needed 174,000 bullets and if that quantity was customary or had increased from previous orders.

http://cnsnews.com/news/article/soci...-point-bullets

[Destrier]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012...mmo-purchases/