UNSPSC 46151504: Body armour

UNSPSC 46151504 Body armour (Commodity) encompasses protective vests, carriers, plates, and related protective gear that state and local law enforcement, detention, fire, and school safety agencies procure to shield personnel against ballistic and blunt-force threats. Recent solicitations show state and local buyers purchasing complete ballistic systems (soft armor, hard plates, carriers) certified to NIJ standards, tactical protective equipment (plate carriers, cummerbunds, side panels), helmets, shields, and stab-resistant vests for sworn officers, detention staff, SWAT teams, and tactical units. The code spans both initial uniform issue and ongoing replacement cycles driven by equipment lifecycle, personnel turnover, and operational upgrades.

State departments, county sheriffs' offices, municipal police departments, fire districts, independent school districts, and transit authorities issue opportunities under this code. Repeat buyers include Gwinnett County (Georgia), Santa Clara County (California), San Bernardino County (California), Harris County (Texas), and the City of Tucson; Texas state agencies (Office of the Attorney General, Department of Finance and Administration) and Illinois state police also appear frequently. Geographic activity concentrates in Texas, Georgia, California, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Connecticut, Ohio, and New York, with scattered activity across other states. Recent representative opportunities include the City of Detroit Police Department RFQ 549771 (police uniforms and duty gear, due August 5, 2026); Collin County Law Enforcement IFB 2026-318 (safety wear and protective equipment, due August 6, 2026, approximately $216,000 annual value); the State of Mississippi Department of Finance RFP 1130-26-R-NBID-00021 (comprehensive ballistic body armor, riot shields, tactical vests, due July 15, 2026); and the City of Charlotte RFP (NIJ-compliant body armor for sworn personnel, due July 29, 2026). Procurement vehicles range from competitive ITBs and IFBs to RFPs and RFQs; contract terms typically span one to two years with renewal options. Bidders must frequently demonstrate NIJ compliance, maintain liability insurance, provide fitting and alteration services, and meet delivery timelines of 30–60 days. Set-aside designations, where present, include DBE, SBE, MBE, WBE, and VBE preferences in select jurisdictions. Cooperative purchasing vehicles (Sourcewell, League of Oregon Cities, NJSTART) appear in the recent pipeline, extending reach beyond individual jurisdictions.