The Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) Grant Act of 1998 (PL 105-181) makes available in federal FY 1999 $25 million to help states, localities and Indian Tribes purchase bulletproof and stab-resistant vests. The purpose of the Act is to protect the lives of law enforcement officers by helping government entities equip themselves with armor vests. The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) expects the program to continue in successive fiscal years.

Beginning mid-March 1999, the BVP program will provide up to a 50% match to jurisdictions qualifying for reimbursement. Application for rebate must be received by the BJA no later than August 31, 1999. To simplify the process, all transactions, from application procedures to reimbursement requests, will be handled through secured servers over the Internet.

From March 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999, it is estimated that DPS will spend nearly $60,000 on bulletproof vests. Up to half this amount is reimbursable under the BVP program.

On an annual basis, the Public Safety purchases between 20 - 75 bulletproof vests. The number of yearly purchases fluctuates according to replacement need and the number of new officers hired. All 225 sworn officers have bulletproof vests, but only certain vests purchased by Public Safety are eligible for reimbursement under the BVP program (the National Institute of Justice sets the reimbursement standard according to vest type "threat" protection level).

Between March 1, 1999 and September 30, 1999, Public Safety will purchase approximately 75 vests that are reimbursable under the BVP program.

Funds for vest purchase are routinely budgeted in Public Safety Administrative and Technical Services (Program 432200) and Police Services Equipment Acquisition (Program 819840). Reimbursement can be applied for regardless of how vests are budgeted.

The program is briefly described as follows:

• Agency confirms vests to be purchased are eligible for reimbursement;
• Internal procurement procedures are followed to obtain quotes for the vests;
• Agency registers in the system by providing demographic, banking and program-related information. After authorization, a password is issued;
• Agency forwards one request for reimbursement to BJA. BJA will approve request for funds, notify jurisdiction that purchases can be made (if not already purchased), and allocate 50% of total cost to agency;
• After agency confirms receipt of vests, BJA wires payment directly to agency bank account.

Note: Transmission over the Internet is handled on secure servers; all information provided (including passwords) is encrypted to help ensure privacy. In addition, the system requires a password change every 30 days.

Other program requirements include:

• One reimbursement request per federal fiscal year;
• One vest per officer may be purchased.

Based on agency response thus far, the BJA anticipates ongoing funding for this program. It is the intention of the Police Services division to reapply for reimbursement in the next cycle.

Approval of this agreement will benefit the City of Sunnyvale by providing up to $29,063 of funding to supplement the acquisition of bulletproof vests during the period of March 1, 1999 through September 30, 1999. The remaining funds required for this purchase has been included in the Public Safety base budget.

Posting of the Council Agenda. Reports to Council are also available at the City Library and the City’s website.

Staff recommends Alternative 1.

Prepared by:

Peter Gonda
Administrative Assistant, Police Services

Reviewed by:

Steve Pigott
Captain, 
Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Brown D. Taylor
Interim Director, 
Department of Public Safety

Reviewed by:

Mary Bradley, 
Director of Finance

Approved by:

Robert S. LaSala
City Manager