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Funding & ProcurementExcess property, forfeiture, donations

Other sources

Outside grants and contracts, agencies have a few more routes. The DoD 1033 program transfers excess military property to law enforcement. Federal equitable sharing funds, from Justice and Treasury forfeitures, can buy law enforcement equipment including body armor. Donations and financing are governed by local policy.

Sources read Sep 30, 2026 · 6 sources

If you buy armor

Each of these routes has strict accounting rules. Read the program guide before you commit.

  1. 1033: go through your State CoordinatorThe Law Enforcement Support Office (LESO) program, run by DLA Disposition Services under 10 U.S.C. 2576a, transfers excess DoD property. Your State Coordinator handles the application. Agencies remain responsible for controlled property until LESO approves its turn-in or transfer.
  2. Equitable sharing: supplement, do not supplantThe joint Justice and Treasury guide, effective March 1, 2024, lists body armor among examples of permissible law enforcement equipment. Shared funds must increase the agency's budget, not replace appropriated funds.
  3. Donations and financingGifts of equipment or money and lease or installment purchases are governed by your jurisdiction's gift acceptance and debt rules. Check them with your finance office and counsel.
Watch out for
  • Excess military armor is whatever DoD has declared excess. Do not assume a transferred item is a model listed on the NIJ CPL; check each one.
  • Equitable sharing is discretionary: the Attorney General and the Secretary of the Treasury are not required to share assets in any case.
  • Armor bought with equitable sharing funds is not a BVP purchase, and BVP rules on reimbursement do not apply to it.

If you sell armor

These routes change who pays, not what the agency needs to see from you.

  1. Keep the same paperworkQuote the exact CPL model, its standard and status with the date read, and country of manufacture.
  2. Invoice the paying entityWith equitable sharing funds the agency pays from its sharing account; confirm who the purchaser of record is before invoicing.
Watch out for
  • Do not describe equitable sharing or 1033 as grants: they are not, and agencies audit them differently.

On this path

DoD 1033 program (LESO)
Transfer of excess DoD property to law enforcement agencies through DLA Disposition Services and State Coordinators.
Buyers
DOJ and Treasury equitable sharing
Sharing of federally forfeited assets with participating state, local and tribal agencies, for permissible law enforcement uses.
Buyers
Donations and foundations
Gifts of equipment or funds, accepted under the jurisdiction's own gift policy.
Buyers
Leasing and financing
Lease or installment purchase arrangements, governed by the jurisdiction's debt and procurement rules.
Buyers and sellers

Look it up on ArmorList

Funding programsEquitable sharing and the other programs, with sources.Contract vehiclesWhere to buy once the money is there.

Questions

Can we get body armor through 1033?

Possibly. The program transfers what DoD declares excess, and state coordinators list body armor among items agencies have received. Availability is not guaranteed, and each item should be checked against the NIJ CPL before issue.

Can forfeiture funds buy vests?

Federal equitable sharing funds can: body armor is among the permissible equipment examples in the 2024 joint guide, as long as the funds supplement the agency budget.

Are there federal rules on donated armor?

This page does not cite one. Donations are governed by your jurisdiction's gift policy.

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.