Bullet Proof Vest Partnership Program (BVP)
HighCom Armor holds several contract purchasing vehicles available to purchase body armor, and these contracts also include grant funding access made possible through The Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act, allowing jurisdictions to be reimbursed up to 50% of the cost of body armor purchased for law enforcement officers. We actively encourage our partners to leverage these contracts for the purpose of ensuring Agencies and Institutions take advantage of the most competitive government direct pricing available through HighCom Armor.
About BVP
The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) created by the Bulletproof Vest Partnership Grant Act of 1998 is a unique U.S. Department of Justice initiative designed to provide a critical resource to state and local law enforcement. To be eligible to qualify for the reimbursement, body armor purchased must comply with the most current NIJ body armor standards as of the date of purchase and the agency is required to have a mandatory wear policy. View the HighCom Armor Models that meet BVP funding guidelines.
One Million Bulletproof Vests
Since 1999, the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) has awarded more than 13,000 jurisdictions a total of $522 million in federal funds for the purchase of over one million vests (1,395,976) as of February 2020.
Apply in 3 Easy Steps
Continuous Open Registration
Step 1: Online Registration
- New users can provide contact and banking information throughout the year. During the Open Application Period
Step 2: Online Application
- Identify the total number, type, and projected cost of vests for the applicant’s eligible and participating law enforcement officers.
- You must complete Steps 1 and 2 by the Application Closing Date.
NOTE: DOJ Funding Decisions
The BVP program makes funding decisions three to four months after the “open application period” ends. Applicants are then notified via email regarding approved funding levels.
You Purchase Your Vests – Vests meeting applicable NIJ standards can be purchased through any vest distributor.
For more information on application guidelines – click here
Step 3: Online Payment Requests
- Once vests are delivered, complete an online receiving report and request for payment.
For immediate assistance, please call toll-free at 1-877-758-3787. You may also reach them by email at [email protected].
NEW! UPDATED Mandatory Wear FAQs
Following two years of declining law enforcement officer line-of-duty deaths, the country realized a dramatic 37% increase in officer deaths in 2010. 59 of the 160 officers killed in 2010 were shot during violent encounters: a 20% increase over 2009 numbers.
The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to improving officer safety and has undertaken research to review and analyze violent encounters and law enforcement officer deaths and injuries. Due to the increase in the number of law enforcement officer deaths, coupled with our renewed efforts to improve officer safety, beginning with FY 2011, in order to receive BVP funds, jurisdictions must certify, during the application process, that all law enforcement agencies benefiting from the BVP Program have a written “mandatory wear” policy in effect.
This policy must be in place for at least all uniformed officers before any FY 2011 funding can be used by the agency. There are no requirements regarding the nature of the policy other than it being a mandatory wear policy for all uniformed officers while on duty. BJA strongly encourages agencies to consult the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) Model Policy on Body Armor and to strongly consider all recommendations within that policy. This policy change was announced in October 2010 by Attorney General Holder after consulting with and receiving input from the law enforcement community.
The IACP has very generously provided both its Body Armor Model Policy and position paper to the BVP program. To obtain a copy of the Model Policy and position paper, jurisdictions must be registered with the BVP program. To obtain a copy of the Model Policy, contact the BVP Customer Support Center at 1-877-758-3787 or email [email protected].
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