The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership: A Guide to Protecting Officers with IntelAlytic and The Armor List
For law enforcement agencies, officer safety is not a luxury — it’s a mission requirement. The Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP), managed by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP), provides critical funding to help agencies equip officers with lifesaving, NIJ-compliant body armor.
Since 1999, the BVP program has delivered over $573 million in reimbursements for more than 1.5 million vests across 13,000 jurisdictions. Yet even after two decades of success, many agencies and suppliers still struggle to identify which vests qualify, how to document compliance, and where to find accurate technical data.
That’s where IntelAlytic and its data platform, The Armor List, come in. Together, they simplify the process by bringing verified NIJ data, product documentation, and educational tools to both sides of the procurement process — buyers and manufacturers alike.
What Is the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership?
The BVP program reimburses states, local governments, and federally recognized tribes for up to 50% of the cost of NIJ-compliant armor for eligible officers.
Named after Senator Patrick Leahy, the program helps agencies access rigorously tested, NIJ-certified vests without exhausting local budgets — ensuring that protection meets national safety standards and financial constraints alike.
Since inception, the program has safeguarded officers across thousands of jurisdictions. Whether you’re a purchasing agent, grant administrator, or manufacturer supplying law enforcement, understanding how this program works — and how to identify eligible products — is critical.
BVP Fact Sheet accessible here- https://bja.ojp.gov/doc/bvp-fact-sheet.pdf
Why the BVP Program Matters
Ballistic-resistant vests save lives — but compliance, documentation, and cost remain barriers for many departments. The BVP program was designed to address these challenges by:
Reducing cost barriers: Reimbursing up to 50% of approved vest purchases.
Guaranteeing safety standards: Requiring all armor to be NIJ-compliant under current NIJ 0101.06 or 0101.07 standards.
Supporting all jurisdictions: Funding agencies of every size, from small rural departments to large metropolitan forces.
IntelAlytic’s The Armor List helps streamline this process by serving as the central reference source for BVP-eligible armor — linking verified NIJ listings, manufacturer data, and historical procurement information in one place.
If a vest doesn’t appear on The Armor List’s verified database, it’s not BVP-eligible.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligibility for BVP funding is defined by the DOJ’s OJP:
Jurisdictions: Any recognized unit of government, including states, counties, cities, townships, and federally recognized tribes.
Law Enforcement Officers: Full- or part-time, paid or volunteer personnel authorized to enforce criminal law — including police, sheriff’s deputies, corrections, probation, and parole officers.
Agencies must also purchase NIJ-compliant armor and, where applicable, maintain mandatory wear policies to qualify for reimbursement.
How the BVP Program Works — Three Key Steps
The DOJ’s BVP process is designed for accessibility and transparency. Here’s a simplified overview with relevant resources and how The Armor List can help:
1. Online Registration
Register your jurisdiction in the BVP portal by providing contact, banking, and identification information (e.g., DUNS, UEI, and routing numbers).
Resources: Registering Users Guide
2. Application Period
During the open window (currently through December 19, 2025, 6:00 PM ET), applicants specify:
Number and type of vests requested
Estimated unit costs
Eligible officer details
Use The Armor List to confirm NIJ compliance and model eligibility before submission. Every listed product is cross-verified with NIJ’s Compliant Products List (CPL).
3. Payment Request and Reimbursement
Once vests are received, agencies file a payment request via the BVP portal. The DOJ reviews documentation and issues reimbursements typically within 3–4 months of application close.
Using The Armor List to Support BVP Compliance
The Armor List, powered by IntelAlytic, is the world’s largest verified database of ballistic-resistant products, companies, and materials — aggregating over 250,000+ data points across NIJ testing records, manufacturer specifications, contract history, and public procurement documentation.
For agencies and suppliers engaged in the BVP program, this database serves as a critical reference point for:
NIJ Compliance Verification — Confirming armor eligibility for BVP reimbursement.
Procurement Research — Comparing models by threat level, weight, or construction material.
Transparency and Traceability — Accessing verified manufacturer details and certification timelines.
In short, The Armor List provides the data clarity and verification tools agencies need — and manufacturers depend on — to meet federal grant requirements without guesswork.
Click image above to download our free BVP toolkit
Key Program Resources
The DOJ maintains several official resources for agencies participating in the BVP:
For assistance, agencies can contact the BVP Helpdesk at:
📞 1-877-758-3787
📧 vests@usdoj.gov
Why Act Now
The Fiscal Year 2025 BVP application window closes December 19, 2025.
Agencies should confirm armor eligibility, gather required documentation, and ensure all purchases meet NIJ compliance before submission.
The Armor List provides the verification and comparison tools needed to get it right — saving time and avoiding costly application rejections.
Building Transparency in the Armor Industry
IntelAlytic and The Armor List are committed to increasing data transparency, compliance awareness, and buyer confidence in the body armor market.
By connecting verified NIJ data, historical records, and manufacturer profiles, we give buyers, suppliers, and manufacturers a shared, trusted platform for research, marketing, and procurement.
To explore how your company’s NIJ-listed products can be featured or verified for agency buyers, visit:
👉 armorlist.com/advertising
or contact support@intelalytic.com
Protect your officers, strengthen your credibility, and make data-driven purchasing decisions — because in body armor, accuracy saves lives.
