The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) will accept applications for FY 2017 funding for the Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) program online through 8 p.m. Eastern Time on June 28, 2017. The 2017 solicitation includes a new requirement related to uniquely fitted armor.

The BVP Reauthorization Act of 2015 includes a provision that states that BJA may give preferential consideration to applicants that provide vests that are uniquely fitted for officers, including vests uniquely fitted to individual female law enforcement officers. This provision is applicable to FY17 BVP awards moving forward. See the BVP Reauthorization Act of 2015 amendment at https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ155/PLAW-114publ155.pdf.

In the BVP program, "uniquely fitted vests" means protective (ballistic- or stab-resistant) armor vests that conform to the individual wearer to provide the best possible fit and coverage, through a combination of: 1) correctly sized panels and carrier, determined through appropriate measurement, and 2) properly adjusted straps, harnesses, fasteners, flaps or other adjustable features. The requirement that body armor be "uniquely fitted" does not necessarily require body armor that is individually manufactured based on the measurements of an individual wearer. In support of the Office of Justice Programs' efforts to improve officer safety, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International has made the Standard Practice for Body Armor Wearer Measurement and Fitting of Armor (Active Standard ASTM E3003) available at no cost; visit https://justnet.org/NIJ_ASTM_Standards_Portal.html for more information.

JUSTNET, the website of the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology System (NLECTC), also makes the Personal Armor Fit Assessment checklist, which is excerpted from ASTM E3003, available at https://www.justnet.org/pdf/00-BA-Assessment-Handout_laser%2007082016.pdf.

In addition, a certification section has been added to the 2017 application (in the BVP system) stating the jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies are aware of, and will comply with, this requirement. For more information, visit https://ojp.gov/bvpbasi/