The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) reimburses states, units of local government, and federally recognized Indian tribes, for up to 50 percent of the cost of body armor vests purchased for law enforcement officers.
Since 1999, over 13,000 jurisdictions have participated in the BVP Program, with a total of $573 million in federal funds for the purchase of over 1.5 million body armor vests.
Funding
NEW: The Fiscal Year 2024 BVP awards have been announced. See the complete list of FY 2024 BVP awards.
Fact Sheet
The BVP Program Fact Sheet provides background information and other details about the BVP Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
The BVP FAQs contain pertinent information on the BVP Program. Mandatory Wear FAQs are also available.
Links
- BVP System
- NIJ Standard-0101.06: Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor
- NIJ Standard 0115.00: Stab Resistance of Personal Body Armor
- NIJ Compliance Testing Program
- NIJ Compliant Products List
- Ballistic Resistant Body Armor and the NIJ Mark
- NIJ Selection and Application Guide to Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor
- NIJ Selection and Application Guide 0101.06 to Ballistic-Resistant Body Armor
Advisories, Notices, and Alerts
Following are some of the currently active NIJ advisory notices. A full list is available on the Active NIJ Advisory and Safety Notices webpage.
Following are some of the currently active NIJ advisory notices. A full list is available on the Active NIJ Advisory and Safety Notices webpage.
Following are some of the previous/closed NIJ advisory notices. A full list is available on the Closed NIJ Advisory Notices webpage.
Following are some of the previous/closed NIJ advisory notices. A full list is available on the Closed NIJ Advisory Notices webpage.
Contacts
The BVP Helpdesk can be contacted at 1-877-758-3787 or vests@usdoj.gov.
Media and Congressional inquiries should be directed to the OJP Office of Communications at 202-307-0703 or ojp.ocom@usdoj.gov.
Latest Advisories
12-7-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Verco Materials model – UrbanShieldMH
11-20-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Onyx Protective Group Inc. model - PLF-II-01
11-20-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Onyx Protective Group Inc. model - STRYX
11-20-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Spartan Armor model - SAS-III-MCHY
11-20-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: C.P.E Production OY model - Polar Bear
10-25-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Slate Solutions model – H2001
10-24-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Arsenal Industries Panama Inc. - GR301
3-9-23 NIJ Safety Notice: Safariland, LLC, ND01-2020S-ME
3-3-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: HighCom - sa2910
3-3-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: C.I.A. Miguel Caballero S.A.S. - Alpha S33
2-2-23 NIJ Advisory Notice: Mex Msf Sco S.A. de C.V. - Coyote
8-9-22 NIJ Advisory Notice: U.S. Armor Corporation - 6316M
8-9-22 NIJ Advisory Notice: Ceska zbrojovka a.s. - Model HW 490
4-26-22 NIJ Advisory Notice: Safariland, LLC - ND01-2020S-ME
3-18-22 NIJ Advisory Notice: PRE Labs Inc.- Model 2/18F