Not often that you hear "law enforcement" and "Office of the Inspector General" in the same sentence. Most folks, myself included, consider the an "Inspector General" is generally an Administrative function. You know, make sure that the paperwork associated with whatever the Department does, is properly done. Particularly so when the IG is in a Department that has no "troops", but is mostly one of people who monitor standards and procedures.

Also, is the "criminal activity involving Federal education funds, programs and operations" the kind that includes violence or the threat of same?

Finally, why is it "necessary to replace older and mechanically malfunctioning firearms"? Not that "mechanically malfunctioning" firearms, or ANY mechanical device for that matter, shouldn't be replaced. Just wondering how much the now mechanically unsound shotguns got that way? It could be a crappy maintenance program, or a crappy storage facilities, which wouldn't be that big a surprise for a Federal Agency. Or it could be the weapons are worn out from use.

Which would, of course, beg the question…used on who?

All in all, a most intriguing situation.

And kind of frightening in a "Huh" kind of way.