So Why does the US Navy Need 100,000 Flash Bang Grenades?

Shenandoah – by John Galt

Another internet kerfuffle has been created by the recent information of a US Government request for bids to deliver 14 million doses of Potassium Iodide at the end of January so I decided to see what other interesting items the Federal Biz Opps website has been soliciting and sure enough, the one that caught my attention is a request for 100,000 flash bang grenades by the US Navy.  

From the FBO website:

MULTI-BANG FLASH BANG GRENADE

Solicitation Number: N0016414RJR04
Agency: Department of the Navy
Office: Naval Sea Systems Command
Location: NSWC Crane Division

Solicitation Number
N0016414RJR04
Notice Type
Solicitation
Synopsis
Added: Nov 15, 2013 10:38 am

Solicitation number N00164-14-R-JR04 will be issued as a request for proposals on a full and open competition basis. It is anticipated that the solicitation will be published to the Government Point of Entry (this website, listed below) on or about 16 December 2013, and anticipated that proposal(s) will be due by no later than 2:00 PM (EST) 18 February 2014.

This solicitation is being posted to Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at http://www.fbo.gov/. FBO is the single point of entry for posting of synopsis and solicitations to the internet. Please feel free to use the FBO site to access information posted by NSWC Crane.

The Government requires a Multi-Bang Flash Bang Grenade with a minimum ordering quantity of 1,000 units and a maximum ordering quantity of 100,000 units. The Multi-Bang Flash Bang Grenade is intended to be used to produce an intense light and sound display for distracting personnel. The units procured under this requirement shall be manufactured in accordance with the Specification, Automated Data Lists (ADLs), Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) and Technical Drawings. The technical data package contains information that is restricted. Only a business registered in Joint Certification Program (JCP) and certified by the Department of Defense, United States/Canada Joint Certification Office is allowed to receive the package. The Government intends to award to offerors that represent the best value to the government considering technical, past performance, and price. Inspection and Acceptance is to be at destination with delivery FOB Destination: NSWC Crane, IN 47522-5001. This procurement will be made using full and open competition. It is anticipated that a 5 year, Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), supply contract will be issued at contract award. First Article Units will be required. Product samples will be required.

The solicitation continues with the usual bureaucratic nonsense but what makes this solicitation interesting is that the only branch within the US Navy that would use this much personnel suppression weaponry would indeed by the United States Marines Corps! But why would the USMC want this much additional firepower beyond their standard arms? This training video from Camp LeJeune where the USMC is practicing urban warfare tactics and working with civilian police agencies might provide some insight:

It would appear that the US government and military is gearing up for something bad, something destructive, and quite possibly so severe that they would need the ability to suppress American citizens who may resist to either confiscate firearms or capture for questioning; and in very large numbers.

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