The U.S. State Dept. recently began arranging for the "swift delivery" of many dozens of .223 caliber sniper rifles to Bogota, according to a contracting document dated Aug. 17. This request for quotes (
RFQ), located through a routine search of the FedBizOpps database, specifically seeks prices for 115 of the rifles and an equal number of sniper stands, or bipods. The new weapons must be manufactured in the U.S., the document says. Bids submitted on this RFQ are due Aug. 28.
Such contracting documents typically indicate the recipient of the weapons purchase, such as the Colombian National Police or Army. In this case, however, State did not designate who will receive the equipment. Consequently, it remains unclear whether the sniper rifles are for Colombian or U.S. forces. No further information is available.
It should be noted that .223 caliber rifle is the same type of weapon that Gulf War veteran John Lee Muhammed and his co-assassin John Malvo used to terrorize the Washington, D.C. region in 2002. Muhammed and Malvo killed 10 people and wounded three in those attacks.
On a related note...
Submitted September 10, 2007 - 9:24 pm by Stephen Peacock