ST. PETERSBURG — The government agency in charge of the National Weather Service put out an unusual bid request recently.

The NWS, it seemed, wanted to purchase ammo and targets — a lot of it.

Specifically, 24,000 rounds of hollow point bullets for .40 caliber semiautomatic pistols that would be delivered to a local office in St. Petersburg.

Huh? Are things so bad that even weather forecasters need firepower these days?

As it turns out, a clerical error in the federal business vendor process was responsible for the mix-up.

In fact, officials say, the ammo and targets aren't for the NWS at all — but will be used by the law enforcement arm of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, or NOAA.

The solicitation, posted to fedbizopps.gov on Aug. 9, caught the attention of bloggers and reporters this week. NOAA spokesman Scott Smullen said the error was corrected online Tuesday.

"The ammunition is standard issue for many law enforcement agencies and it will be used by 63 NOAA enforcement personnel in their firearms qualifications and training," Smullen said in a statement. "NOAA officers and agents enforce the nation's ocean and fishing laws to ensure a level playing field for fishermen and to protect marine species like whales, dolphins and turtles."

Kameel Stanley can be reached at kstanley@tampabay.com or (727) 893-8643.