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The BVP site is usually available for registration and application submittal
from mid-January to mid-April for the each calendar year. This year's dates
will be posted as soon as they are available. The Bulletproof Vest
Partnership Grant Act of 2000 was enacted by the 106th Congress, which keeps
the program in effect from 2002-2004. The 2000 act also provides priority
funding for jurisdiction with populations less than 100,000 and increases
the authorized funding level to $50 million each year. These changes went in
effect in 2001. NIJ-approved vests purchased on or after March 1, 1999 are
eligible for funding.
The entire process of registering and applying for funds is relatively easy and with the exception of printing and sending the banking form, takes place entirely online. Here is an overview of the process:
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1.
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REGISTER your Jurisdiction http://www.vests.ojp.gov/tour/reg/index.html
Each Jurisdiction must first register online to participate. This registration process will include submitting information such as your Jurisdiction name, address, Congressional District, Jurisdiction population, the number of full and part time officers, and banking information. You will need to fill in the information about the Chief Executive (usually a Council Chair, City Manager, Mayor, County Executive, Governor, etc), the Financial Point of Contact, and the Primary Point of Contact (if different from the Chief Executive) including name, phone, fax and e-mail address. In this section you will also need to print and fill out the banking form according to the directions.
*It is generally recommended that you complete and submit the jurisdiction registration before working on the application. If you have registered in previous years for the BVP you will not need to register again.
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2.
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Prepare and Submit APPLICATION http://www.vests.ojp.gov/tour/app/index.html
After submitting the registration, you will need to fill out the application, which allows you to select the number, style, cost, threat level, and distributor from which you are purchasing. To search for a Second Chance vest that you already know you would like to purchase, please consult the NIJ Clarification List to determine the model number and search for a distributor in your area. If you are not certain of the vest you would like to purchase, please contact a distributor in your area or Second Chance directly for more information.
*If you find it necessary to make changes, you will be able to do so all the way up until you actually submit the application for approval. The BVP will provide you updates as to the status of your application.
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3.
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REPORT RECEIPTS http://www.vests.ojp.gov/tour/rec/3.1.html
After submitting both the registration and application and you have received approval on your application, you can submit the Request of Payment*. Here you will report exactly what the vests cost, how many vests were purchased and received, as well as the date the vests were ordered and received. You will also be able to change information such as the model of vest purchased in the event that you purchased a vest different from that which was submitted in your original application.
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4.
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REQUEST PAYMENT http://www.vests.ojp.gov/tour/rec/3.3.html
You will also need to review your banking information and submit the request for payment (transfer funds to the account that you provided in your banking information).
*It is advised that you purchase your vests after the application has been accepted and approved unless you have enough in your jurisdiction budget to cover any shortfalls that may occur due to the "up to 50% reimbursement".
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If you have any further questions, please contact the BVP Helpdesk at 877-75VESTS or contact Second Chance Armor at 800.253.7090.
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