A federal program allowing state and local governments to buy law enforcement equipment at a discount is largely underutilized — only 15 states had made significant use of the program at the end of 2001.

The so-called 1122 program makes three sources of supplies available to law enforcement agencies — the Department of the Army, the Defense Logistics Agency, and the General Services Administration. Equipment that can be purchased through the program includes electronic and surveillance equipment, electro-optics, night vision devices and a long list of other law enforcement materials and equipment.

In this era of burgeoning demands on shrinking law enforcement budgets, states taking advantage of the 1122 Program can save taxpayers millions of dollars. Meanwhile, vendors with products sought by law enforcement are finding new and lucrative marketing opportunities in the GSA schedules.

The program is allowed under Section 1122 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 1994. It was introduced in December 1994 at a conference hosted by the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), in which the General Services Administration and the Department of Defense participated.

Section 1122 permits each state's governor to establish procedures to execute the program in his state. Since its inception, some 45 governors have appointed state points-of-contact to administer the program and to spearhead an effort to get the word out about the availability of the program. Some states hold workshops to spread the word. (Most states have found it efficient to combine Section 1122 functions with those of Program 1033, which permits the Defense Department to transfer excess personal property suitable for law enforcement activities to state and local agencies without charge).

Here is information about buying supplies from each of the participating sources:

• Department of the Army and Defense Logistics Agency. Descriptions of supplies, spare parts and equipment are contained in a Law Enforcement Equipment and Supply Catalog. Inventory control points can provide price and shipping information, status of orders and resolve discrepancies involving shortages, damages and other problems. Examples of equipment being purchased from the Army through the program include support items, spare parts, field clothing, boots, sleeping bags, weapons, ammunition, communications and generators. The long list of items available from Defense Supply Centers include safety harnesses, cameras, binoculars, flashlights and spotlights, flameless heaters, computers and components, animal handling equipment and riot control shields.

• General Services Administration. The GSA has contracted with vendors who agree to sell their products to federal customers at prices below those they normally charge non-federal customers. Under the 1122 program, state and local law enforcement agencies seeking to purchase equipment suitable for counterdrug activities may purchase from these vendors at the GSA contract price. These vendors appear on Federal Supply Schedules published by GSA.

State points-of-contact for the 1122 program have a national, professional association, the National Law Enforcement Support Association, whose goal is to assist states in establishing and operating effective programs. For information and assistance, contact Gary Dean White (Nevada), 775-687-5282, gwhite@dps.state.nv.us; Don Sherrod (Georgia), 404-624-7040; dsherrod@dps.state.ga.us; or Scott Pepperman (Pennsylvania), 717-787-9724, ext. 3205, spepperman@state.pa.us.

Vendors seeking information on participating in the program should contact Zoe-Ann Freitag, national account manager, Office of Business Management and Marketing, Federal Supply Service, General Services Administration, Washington, D.C., 703-308-4660, zoe-ann, freitag@gsa.gov.

The National Institute of Justice maintains a Web site that contains a manual on federal property programs for law enforcement. It includes a chapter on the 1122 Program and a list of state points-of-contact with phone numbers and e-mail addresses. It can be found at nlectc.org.