Can I use State Body Armor funds to purchase vests made with Zylon©?
By Notice sent to all law enforcement agencies on April 6, 2004, the Division of Criminal Justice recommended that such agencies temporarily suspend the procurement of Zylon©-based body armor with state body armor replacement grant funds until the results of future testing by DOJ or other independent agencies are finalized or clearly defined. All other body armor meeting applicable DOJ standards and your agency’s needs may continue to be purchased in accordance with applicable public bidding laws. That is merely a recommendation, however, and agencies can utilize State Body Armor funds to purchase Zylon©-based vests if they so choose, as long as those vests meet NIJ standards.
