Body Armor & External Carriers

The City of St. Joseph, Missouri, is soliciting proposals under RFP2027-21 for an open-ended purchase agreement to secure pricing for body armor and external vest carriers for its police officers. The contract is intended to cover a twelve-month period, with an option for the city to extend the term for an additional twelve months at the same unit price. The city anticipates purchasing between 20 and 30 units on an as-needed basis, including patrol-specific models from Safariland and United Shield, as well as heavy armor for the Special Response Team. All products must be new, custom-fitted, and comply with NIJ Standard-0101.06, specifically meeting Type Level IIIA armor requirements. Qualified bidders must submit proposals electronically through the city's bidding system by November 5, 2026, as paper, email, or faxed submissions will not be accepted. Required submission materials include a product example, an NIJ Compliance Letter for the specific model, a completed Form W-9, and proof of product liability performance insurance for at least 1,000,000 dollars per incident. Award decisions will be based on the best public interest, considering factors such as quality, workmanship, service, and supplier dependability independent of price. Each unit of armor must feature a durable label meeting NIJ Compliance Testing Program requirements and be backed by a minimum five-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship.