IRS Cancels Order for Spy Equipment

The Internal Revenue Service has canceled an order for spy equipment. Whether the tax-collecting agency decided against buying the equipment or was unable to find a suitable provider is unclear.

The order was canceled six days after originally being posted on the government website FedBizOpps.gov. The order included four "Covert Coffee tray(s) with Camera concealment," four cameras that could be hidden in plants, as well as two "concealed clock radio(s)."

The order said the IRS already had an undisclosed company willing to provide the items, but called on bids to match or beat the price. It also admitted that the "descriptions are vague due to the use and nature of the items."

The deadline for bids was Monday, June 10, the same day the Drudge Report linked to a story by CNS.com about the purchase order. Just before noon Wednesday the order was cancelled. No one from the IRS responded to requests from CNS asking why the order was cancelled.

The request comes on the heels of the agency facing fallout for targeting conservative groups seeking tax-exempt status and for lavish spending on conventions and videos.