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Funding & ProcurementGSA, FBI, DLA

Federal contracts

Federal agencies buy most commercial products through the GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), ordered through GSA Advantage, and through agency contracts such as the FBI STEAL vehicle. Two GSA programs, Cooperative Purchasing and the 1122 Program, also open certain schedule contracts to state and local governments. Sellers need an active SAM.gov registration before any of this is possible.

Sources read Sep 30, 2026 · 14 sources

If you buy armor

If you are a federal buyer, the schedule is the default route. If you are a state, local or tribal agency, you may be able to order from the same contracts through a GSA program.

  1. Check which program you can useGSA opens Cooperative Purchasing, Disaster Purchasing, the 1122 Program and Public Health Emergency purchasing to state, county and city governments, to tribal and territorial governments buying outside a self-governance compact, and to organizations created by state statute.
  2. Look for the COOP iconUnder Cooperative Purchasing, eligible state and local buyers can order law enforcement and security products from eligible schedule categories. GSA Advantage and GSA eLibrary mark eligible offerings with a COOP icon.
  3. Use the 1122 Program for counterdrug, homeland security or emergency responseThe 1122 Program lets states and units of local government buy equipment through federal sources (DoD, DLA and GSA) for counterdrug, homeland security and emergency response activities. Your state must have a certified State Point of Contact before you can order.
  4. Order directly from the contractorState and local orders under these programs are placed directly with the schedule contractor, and the schedule terms flow down to the order.
Watch out for
  • Cooperative Purchasing is voluntary for the contractor: a schedule holder can decline a state or local order within five days of receipt, or within 24 hours for a card order.
  • Your own state and local procurement rules still apply to an order you place under a GSA program.
  • A schedule listing is not an NIJ listing. Check each armor model on the NIJ Compliant Products List (CPL) and record the date you read its status.

If you sell armor

Selling to the federal government starts with SAM.gov and, for most commercial products, an offer to GSA.

  1. Register in SAM.govRegistration assigns your Unique Entity ID (UEI). A CAGE code is assigned after the Defense Logistics Agency validates your legal business name and address. Registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active.
  2. Submit a MAS offerTo sell commercial products at pre-negotiated prices, you submit an offer to GSA to become a MAS contractor. Current contract holders add categories by modification in the eOffer/eMod portal.
  3. Plan for the long termGSA describes MAS as evergreen: one five-year base period and three five-year option periods.
  4. Watch agency solicitations on SAM.govAgency vehicles such as the FBI STEAL multiple-award IDIQ are solicited on SAM.gov, not through the schedule.
Watch out for
  • The Trade Agreements Act applies to all schedule contracts: only U.S.-made or designated country end products may be offered, and you certify the country of origin for each product.
  • The Berry Amendment (10 U.S.C. 4862) applies to DoD appropriated funds, not to purchases by other federal agencies or by state and local governments. DoD guidance treats SAPI plates as items not normally associated with clothing, but the fabrics in them remain subject to the Berry Amendment.
  • Grant-funded buyers may have a stricter rule than the TAA: BVP and JAG require body armor made in the United States (see Grants).

On this path

GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS)
Government-wide contracts for commercial products and services at pre-negotiated prices.
Buyers and sellers
GSA Advantage
GSA shopping and ordering system; state and local buyers can use it under Cooperative Purchasing and Disaster Purchasing.
Buyers
GSA Cooperative Purchasing
Lets eligible state, local, tribal and territorial buyers order law enforcement and security products from eligible schedule categories.
Buyers and sellers
1122 Program
State and local purchases through federal sources for counterdrug, homeland security and emergency response; requires a certified State Point of Contact.
Buyers
FBI STEAL (Strategic Tactical Equipment and Logistics)
An FBI multiple-award IDIQ contract for tactical equipment, solicited on SAM.gov.
Sellers
DLA Troop Support, Special Operational Equipment TLSP
A DLA Tailored Logistics Support Program whose scope includes tactical gear and personal protection gear; customers register with DLA Troop Support before ordering.
Buyers and sellers
SAM.gov entity registration
Free registration that assigns the UEI; required to hold federal contracts and to receive federal grant funds.
Buyers and sellers

Look it up on ArmorList

Federal contract spendingPSC 8470 obligations by year, agency and vendor state.SAM.gov opportunitiesFederal solicitations for armor, read and dated.Federal contract vehiclesGSA and FBI vehicles, and who holds them.

Questions

Can a city police department buy armor off a GSA schedule?

Often yes, through Cooperative Purchasing for eligible law enforcement and security categories, or through the 1122 Program for counterdrug, homeland security or emergency response use. The contractor may decline the order, and your own procurement rules still apply.

Does the Berry Amendment apply to our agency?

Only if DoD appropriated funds are involved. The statute does not reach purchases by other federal agencies or by state and local governments.

Is TAA compliance the same as "made in the USA"?

No. The TAA allows U.S.-made or designated country end products. BVP and JAG body armor must be made in the United States.

How long does a SAM.gov registration last?

It must be renewed every 365 days to stay active.

Sources

This is a reference compiled from official sources, not legal, procurement or grant advice. Your procurement code, the contract and the program’s own guidance are the record.