Other LE agencies might be interested in this open source, public RFP, as it provides a clear example of good testing procedures and performance requirements for LE 5.56 mm ammunition:
https://www.fbo.gov/download/75d/75dab12cb09a05101d410d4d4db9bb07/556_TEP_RFP_200750_FY2010.doc
Note: Ignore documents dated earlier than the 07 May 2010 Amendment 2, as these previous postings contain errors that were corrected with the later amendment.
Wow, good stuff Doc, thanks. You know why they do it, but its still amazing to see how much detail goes into this type of operation.
I have been under the impression that the standard issue load for the FBI is the Winchester 60 gr Nosler partition JSP. Is Winchester’s contract up or is the FBI looking for something better?
Contract is done.
Does anyone know what the status is of this RFP is? It looked like the companies were still asking questions and clarifying things. Any idea how long it might be til we know who won the contract?
The FBI has completed their testing process and awarded a 5.56 mm ammunition contract for up to $97 million dollars. This award is now public information and appears unique in several ways. Besides being perhaps the largest ammunition contract in FBI history, it is also the first time the FBI has mandated a true 5.56 mm pressure loading, rather than the typical anemic .223 pressure loadings that have generally been marketed to LE agencies. The 5.56 mm load offers approximately an extra 200 fps–helping performance out of short barrel weapons and enhancing function when rifles are dirty or in dusty conditions. The new FBI contract also required that the ammunition be packaged on stripper clips to aid in more rapid loading of magazines. Finally, it is the first multi-award carbine ammo contract for the FBI–both Federal Cartridge and Winchester were judged to offer ammunition which met the contract criteria. Numerous other Federal LE agencies are authorized to purchase off this contract.
The 5.56 mm Federal 62 gr Trophy Bonded Bear Claw (TBBC) bonded JSP load is XM556FBIT3.
The 5.56 mm Winchester 64 gr solid base bonded JSP is Q3313 on stripper clips/RA556B in 20 rd boxes.
Both of these loads are the best barrier blind 5.56 mm loads ever produced for LE use; they offer outstanding terminal performance, even after first defeating intermediate barriers like vehicle windshields.
Where will this be available for purchase?
62 grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, hmmm. Looks like the FBI has arrived at something quite similar to the Corps’ Mk 318 mod 0 “SOST”.
Tagged for interest.
Who makes that “bear claw” bullet?
The MK 318 mod 0 uses a non bonded version of the Federal bullet. The new FBI rounds use bonded core bullets, similar to what’s been in use by LE for many years.
It was the Corp that was playing catchup this time. 
According to Midway, Speer makes them.
Jake’sDad is correct. The FBI has previously issued a .223 loading of the 62 gr TBBC–it has always been a superb barrier blind projectile. The military is playing catch up in this regard, although it is unfortunate that they chose to go with the non-bonded version of SOST, as the bonded versions of the SOST/TOTM projectiles are superb ([i]see page 12 here: http://www.dtic.mil/ndia/2008Intl/Roberts.pdf[/i]). Hopefully ATK/Federal can be persuaded to bring the bonded SOST/TOTM loads into full production.
Not really.
…
I believe that the Federal LE223T3 is the .223 version of it.
C4
“solid base bonded JSP” sounds very similar to an “accubond” type projectile.
I bet the federal load is a better barrier projectile with its solid rear portion while the winchester is more accurate. Just a guess.
Oh that’s pretty different. Thanks for the clarification 
I am amazed that a projectile with an exposed lead tip was adopted on a major fed contract vehicle. I have seen Fed LE with what ATB this bullet before… and feed issues when some ran their rds in DOD weps/magazines. Lead smeared across the feed lips…
Reliability trumps any terminal ballistics and I am not surprised to see the USMC adopt a projectile with a more sturdy tip.
Correct Sir. Flat tipped (lead) bullets are always more likely to have feeding issues (especially if the gun does not M4 feed ramps or the magazine doesn’t have an anti-tilt follower).
C4
The Federal .223 version with the same projectile has been around for quite a few years, and used by thousands of LE agencies around the country, including my old department. I’ve never heard of any issues in feeding with it, but I agree that the Marines chose wisely in picking a more FMJ profile.
I’ve searched but cannot not find the press release on this. I want to show this to the uppers at my agency. Anyone have it?
Thx