16.607: Bulletproof Vest Partnership Program

16.607

Active

Office of Justice Programs (OJP) [DOJ]

Aug. 31, 2022

Aug. 31, 2022

The goal of the BVP program is to provide up to 50% of the cost of armored vests for state, local and tribal jurisdictions.

C - Direct Payments for Specified Use

Only chief executives of jurisdictions (or their designees) may apply for funds. Jurisdictions are defined as general purpose units of local government (e.g., cities, towns, townships, boroughs, counties, etc.), Federally-recognized Indian tribes, the 50 State governments, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The chief executive of the jurisdiction registers on-line, submits the jurisdiction application, and requests payment for completed vest orders.

Only law enforcement officers may receive vests through this program. According to the Act, law enforcement officer means any officer, agent, or employee of a State, unit of local government, or an Indian tribe authorized by law or by a government agency to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, or investigation of any violation of criminal law, or authorized by law to supervise sentenced criminal offenders. Eligible officers may be full-time, part-time, paid or volunteer. In order to receive BVP funds, jurisdictions must certify, during the application process, that all law enforcement agencies benefitting from the BVP Program have a written mandatory wear policy in effect. FAQ: https://ojp.gov/bvpbasi/docs/FAQsBVPMandatoryWearPolicy.pdf The BVP Reauthorization Act of 2015 included a provision that states that BJA may give preferential consideration to BVP recipients that provide armor vests to law enforcement officers that are uniquely fitted for such officers, including vests uniquely fitted to individual female law enforcement officers. A certification section has been added to the 2017 application (in the BVP system) stating the jurisdictions and law enforcement agency are aware of and will comply with this requirement.

https://sam.gov/fal/2f0e27ce2a0a40d690daf2b2ad49a614/view