Cochran Fulfills Homeland Security Department Ammo Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today announced that Winchester Ammunition, with manufacturing facilities in Oxford, Miss., has won a five-year contract to produce ammunition for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Cochran, who serves on the Senate subcommittee with jurisdiction over the Homeland Security Department, said the Olin Corp. and its Winchester division have been awarded a contract worth up to $50.0 million to produce ammunition at its Winchester Centerfire Operations in Oxford for two DHS agencies.

“The Department of Homeland Security’s wide-ranging border security and law enforcement missions require a significant amount of firepower, particularly for training. I’m pleased that Mississippi will be able to fill that need,” Cochran said. “I credit our capable workforce and the state’s aggressive drive to bring more manufacturing to Mississippi for making this significant contract possible.”

The indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract calls for the procurement of 40 caliber Smith & Wesson training ammunition, with a maximum dollar value of $50.0 million. The ammunition is intended for use by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) for field-level training.

In 2010, the state’s congressional delegation, State of Mississippi and the Mississippi Development Authority successfully encouraged the Olin Corp. to relocate its Winchester Centerfire Operations to Oxford. The facility produces small caliber ammunition and components for military, law enforcement, industrial and sporting customers.