The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) reimburses up to 50% of the cost of body armor for state, local, and tribal law enforcement. The FY2026 application period is open until October 30, 2026, and small details decide whether your reimbursement goes smoothly or gets held up.
Here are five tips to get the most from your BVP grant.
1. Confirm Your Armor Is on the NIJ Compliant Products List When You Order
BVP Program only reimburses vests that have passed the NIJ Compliance Testing Program, meet the applicable NIJ body armor standards, and appear on the NIJ Compliant Products List (CPL) on the date you place your order. Listings can change, so check every model the day you place the order, not just when you apply. Testing alone does not establish NIJ certification or BVP eligibility. See our NIJ Certifications page for additional details.
2. Budget for the 50% Match
BVP covers up to half of eligible costs, so your jurisdiction should budget for at least the remaining half unless a hardship waiver is approved. Two details trip agencies up:
- JAG funds cannot be your match. Justice Assistance Grant dollars can buy vests, but they cannot count toward the 50% you contribute.
- Hardship waivers exist. Qualifying jurisdictions can request a financial or natural disaster hardship waiver during the payment request process to receive reimbursement of up to 100% of eligible vest costs, within their available award funding. Vests must have a unit cost of $1,200 or less, excluding taxes, shipping, and handling, and all standard BVP requirements still apply.
3. Know Where You Stand on Priority Funding
Qualifying units of local government with fewer than 100,000 residents are funded first. Remaining funds are awarded at an equal percentage to other eligible states, units of local government, and federally recognized tribes whose violent crime rates are at or above the national average reported through the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program.
Units of local government with 100,000 or more residents should also note that receiving JAG funds can affect BVP eligibility in the same fiscal year.
4. Put Your Mandatory Wear Policy in Writing Before You Apply
You need a specifying when uniformed officers must wear armor on duty. It must be in effect when you submit the application, dated, and signed by your chief executive or an authorized representative. Your submitting official certifies it electronically, the policy must be submitted with the application, and BJA may review it at random. If you do not have one yet, draft it now.
5. Order Right and Document Everything
Reimbursement depends on what you buy and what you can prove:
- Made in the USA: every BVP-funded vest must be.
- Uniquely fitted: size panels and carriers to each officer from measurements, and properly adjust straps and fasteners.
- Keep the paperwork: itemized invoices, delivery dates, model numbers, and officer assignments.
- Request payment on time: you have about two years from award release to submit payment requests, subject to the expiration date in your award notification. You can only request payment after vests are purchased and delivered.
- Keep SAM.gov active: an active registration is required to receive funds.
BJA's payment request guide walks through the process step by step.
Your Pre-Deadline Checklist
- Chief executive or designee registered in the BVP System
- Written, signed mandatory wear policy in effect and ready to submit
- Vest count based on current needs for eligible officers, excluding authorized but unfilled positions
- Budget approved for at least your 50% share, unless a hardship waiver is approved
- Application submitted by October 30, 2026
Where Angel Armor Fits
Angel Armor's NIJ-certified RISE® soft armor options, Truth SNAP® ICW rifle plate configurations used in conjunction with RISE® soft armor, and 308 Elite standalone rifle plate are made in the USA and designed to help agencies meet BVP requirements. These NIJ Standard 0101.06-certified options can be eligible for reimbursement when the specific configuration and purchase meet program requirements.
We provide itemized documentation with every order to make payment requests easier. Confirm eligibility for your specific configuration with BJA before purchasing, and contact our team for help with sizing and quantities. See our NIJ Certifications page for additional certification details.
New to the program? visit our BVP Program page.
Sources: OJP BVP overview (updated October 1, 2026) and the BJA BVP FAQ (updated September 2025). Program details can change, so always confirm with BJA at vests@usdoj.gov or 1-877-758-3787.
