Despite budget cuts and the sequester, the Department of Homeland Security sought to purchase bagpipes and drums for its customs and border protection operation, Twitchy reported Wednesday. The Blaze reported Thursday, however, that the order was suddenly and mysteriously canceled.
According to the bid posted Wednesday, the DHS sought to buy 10 black polypenco bagpipes with cases and accessories, snare drums, tenor drums and drum accessories.
The original solicitation called for “new equipment only” and specified that “NO remanufactured or ‘gray market’ items” would be allowed.
Becket Adams wrote that the bid was canceled shortly after it was exposed on the Drudge Report.
“Still,” Adams wrote, “two questions remain.”
“What in the world does the DHS need with bagpipes and miscellaneous band equipment? Was it somehow for one of the military bands? If not, or even if so, how much would it have cost taxpayers?” he asked.
According to themacleods.net, a “decent set of bagpipes” would cost $950 – $1,600 for “a basic set.” More ornate sets could cost “several thousand” dollars, the website said.
“The average price for a set of pipes with imitation ivory projecting mounts and engraved hallmarked sterling silver is about $5500. The cost with real ivory is closer to $7500,” the site added.
We found a set of polypenco pipes at Dunbar priced at $870. Accessories like bags and reeds are sold separately.
Twitchy said that a number of people on Twitter, including Roll Call’s Jonathan Strong, wondered why the DHS would need bagpipes.
“Seriously though, why is DHS buying bagpipes?” he asked.
“I like bagpipes, but really. Does DHS need them?” asked blogger Katie Armistead.
“No money for W/H tours but plenty for Ike & Tina Obama party and bagpipes,” another person said.
“We may not know for some time” why the instruments were needed, Adams wrote. “A request for comment was not immediately returned by a DHS spokesperson,” he added.
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