Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Armor Express Awarded $93.8 Million ID/IQ Contract with DHS

Central Lake Armor Express Inc. has been awarded a seven-year, $93.8 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the Department of Homeland Security. Under the terms of the contract, Armor Express will provide its Razor Level IIIA ballistic system, along with four carriers specifically designed to support DHS requirements.

November 17, 2016
3 min to read


Central Lake Armor Express Inc. ("Armor Express"), a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor solutions, today announced that the Company has been awarded a seven-year, $93.8 million Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Under the terms of the contract (Solicitation #: HSBP1016R0004), Armor Express will provide its cutting-edge Razor Level IIIA ballistic system, along with four carriers specifically designed to support DHS requirements.

Over 90,000 officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Protective Service, U.S. Coast Guard, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stand to benefit from this latest DHS award.

Ad Loading...

"This is a major win for Armor Express and we are truly honored to serve one of the finest and most comprehensive federal departments in the world," stated Matt Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Armor Express. "We have collaborated with a number of federal agencies over the years, providing a range of concealable and tactical armor solutions to officers who require high-performance and flexible coverage to do their jobs effectively and in the safest way. This latest award is another testament to the quality of our products and the DHS' trust in our industry-proven solutions."

Created in response to the September 11 attacks, the Department of Homeland Security's primary responsibility is safeguarding the nation from the many threats it faces. As the third largest Cabinet department, after the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the DHS requires the dedication of more than 240,000 officers in roles that range from anti-terrorism to aviation and border security, immigration and customs, cybersecurity, and disaster prevention and management.

The DHS was looking to outfit its federal officers with customized concealable and tactical carriers, integrated with NIJ 0101.06 certified, Level IIIA ballistics to create the most advanced, comfortable and flexible system to meet agency requirements. Armor Express was selected as one of three body armor suppliers to fulfill the needs of the DHS-specified carrier design. Based on extensive and stringent criteria, the Company was chosen for its ballistic performance, design and engineering specifications, overall reliability, and past performance.

The Razor Ballistic System has been tested to the most strenuous requirements, including the NIJ 0101.06 certification, FBI Protocol, DEA Frag Standards, as well as numerous critical special threats. It is designed around revolutionary fiber technology including FMT Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene from DSM Dyneema and TWARON Microfilament Aramid from Teijin. The carrier, which is available in both male and female versions, is designed to provide the ultimate in concealability and flexibility, offering a lightweight ballistic package for officers and agents who require incredible protection under the most extreme environments.

Thousands of federal law enforcement officers across the country rely on Armor Express' solutions, many of them from the largest and most prestigious agencies in the world. Federal departments Armor Express has served include the U.S. Marshals, U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA), Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, among others.

Ad Loading...

Mr. Davis continued, "We are extremely proud to serve the courageous officers and first responders at the Department of Homeland Security, and at large. Our entire team remains committed to advancing protective solutions, whether soft or hard armor, as the products we make, save lives. Our technology partners, including DSM and Teijin, have been instrumental in advancing ballistic science and we commend them for their continued commitment to officer safety. As we move forward, we see significant opportunities to continue to drive innovation and further expand our offerings and reach. Providing end-users with peace-of-mind and bringing them home safe to their families remains our #1 priority."

For more information, visit www.armorexpress.com.

More Patrol

image of trooper, shown from waist down, standing beside a police cruiser along the road and at right a headline Slow Down Move Over.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Colorado State Patrol Releases 2025 Struck-By Analysis

The Colorado State Patrol, after analyzing its 2025 struck-by incidents, identified one area for improvement: using traffic cones to provide advanced warning before the cruiser's location. Here is the agency’s final data.

Read More →
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →
Image of a group of men in business attire receiving an award set against a black background and a Streamlight logo up top.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

Streamlight Names 144th Marketing Group Law Enforcement Sales Rep Agency of the Year

Streamlight has recognized the 144th Marketing Group as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for the Law Enforcement market.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DArk backgroundn with inset images of a fallen police officer and a ballistic helmet and headline Rife-Rated.
PatrolMarch 19, 2026

The Mission After the Moment

The mission of the Jorge Pastore Foundation is to support first responders through essential training, stronger community engagement, and mental wellness resources, all accessible and funded through donations, sponsorships, and foundation-led fundraising. It works closely with Team Wendy in the discussions about developing better protective gear for officers.

Read More →
Promotional graphic for Patrolfinder featuring a police chief’s headshot inside a circular frame alongside a police SUV in the background. The headline reads: “Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture.”
SponsoredMarch 17, 2026

Built for Patrol: How One Police Chief Fixed Communication, Boosted Visibility, and Changed the Culture

Patrol work hasn’t changed—but the expectations on officers have. See how one police chief helped officers get the right information at the right time, improve patrol visibility, and strengthen trust without adding complexity or surveillance. This real-world story shows how patrol-driven technology can make the job safer, smarter, and more effective—starting on day one.

Read More →
Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredMarch 2, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Woman kneeling with a Bloodhound in front of a white pickup truck.
PatrolMarch 1, 2026

K-9s Play a Critical Role in Finding Missing Persons

Real-world scenarios show that a tracking canine can detect and follow a human track several hours after it was made.

Read More →
Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →