Brand Name Justification (BNJ)

11.07.2025 v.2.0

PR Number:

Brand Name Justification

1. Agency and Contracting Activity.

The Department of Homeland Security, proposes to award an Brand Name Single Purchase Order for Vanguard -VL Ballistic Shields on behalf of the pursuant to FAR 8.4, GSAM/R 538.7104-4 (FAR Class Deviation 25-20), Items peculiar to one manufacturer.

2. Nature and/or description of the action being approved.

USSS intends to limit the Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contractors to solicit a particular brand name product, or a feature of a product, peculiar to one manufacturer. A brand name item, whether available on one or more schedule contracts, is an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

The purpose of this requirement is to procure (6) Vanguard-VL (Viewport w/ light) ballistic shield for the United States Secret Service Police in support of .

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The equipment is a lightweight, rifle rated ballistic shield designed to allow a single law enforcement officer to rapidly deploy ballistic protection during high-risk incidents without waiting for a larger tactical team. It is intended to bridge the gap between wearing body armor and deploying a full-size ballistic shield. Situations where applies; Active Shooter Response and High-Risk Warrant Service, and Executive and Dignitary protection. Protective shields can be used as rapidly deployable ballistic protection during motorcades, public appearances, or emergency evacuations when an armed threat emerges. Its relatively small footprint makes is practical to carry in SUV’s and other protective vehicles.

Item Quantity Indiv. Cost Total Cost

0001 ARC Compact Response Shield

Total Contract Value:

4. Basis for restricting consideration to an item peculiar to one manufacturer.

The proposed order will be placed or established under the authority of the Multiple-Award Schedule Program, 41 U.S.C. 152(3), Competitive Procedures, and 40 U.S.C. 501, Services for

Brand Name Justification (BNJ)

11.07.2025 v.2.0

Executive Agencies. Pursuant to FAR 8.4, GSAM/R 538.7104-4 (FAR Class Deviation 25-20), this brand name specification must be used because.

The Vanguard-VL Ballistic Shield is a lightweight rifle ballistic shield already in use as a training tool at , which supplies strong justification for the use of the same shield during real world missions. The principal benefit being that officers responding with equipment that they have already trained to use under stress situations eliminates the need to transition between different systems.

Personnel who repeatedly train with the same equipment are more likely to deploy effectively under high-stress conditions. Confidence in equipment contributes to faster decision making during protective operations and active threat responses. It also reinforces consistent tactics and procedures during protective formations, solo-officer response, room entry, vehicle egress, casualty rescue and dignitary evacuation. The response surrounding these high stress situations can be standardized around one shield platform.

Procuring the same shield for operational use preserves continuity between training and field deployment allowing personnel to employ equipment with which they have already developed proficiency and muscle memory. Standardization minimizes additional training requirements, supports consistent tactics, techniques, and procedures, improves interoperability among personnel and reduces operational risk associated with transitioning between different ballistic shield platforms. This in turn enhances officer readiness, and promotes efficient, effective response during protective operations and active-threat incidents

5. Contracting Officer Certification

Pursuant to HSAM 3008.401-71(b)(1), I certify that the Brand Name Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Contracting Officer Date