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guideApril 18, 20264 min read

NASPO ValuePoint for Body Armor — How State Agencies Actually Buy

NASPO ValuePoint is the multi-state cooperative that backs most state-level armor procurement. Here's how it works, who participates, and how to leverage it.

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NASPO ValuePoint for Body Armor — How State Agencies Actually Buy

NASPO ValuePoint (the cooperative purchasing arm of the National Association of State Procurement Officials) runs multi-state Master Service Agreements (MSAs) that state agencies can use as pre-negotiated contracts. For body armor, it's the backbone of state procurement in most US states.

If you're a state procurement officer or LE agency buyer trying to understand why your state offers certain armor brands at specific prices, NASPO is the answer.

How NASPO ValuePoint works

The structure

  1. A lead state issues a multi-state RFP on behalf of the NASPO membership
  2. Manufacturers respond with pricing + terms + product catalogs
  3. Lead state awards to one or more manufacturers (multi-award MSA)
  4. Other states sign Participating Addenda (PAs) to access the MSA pricing in their state
  5. State agencies purchase directly against the MSA/PA without needing to run their own RFPs

This saves every non-lead state from re-running the procurement, and aggregates volume to get better pricing than any single state could negotiate alone.

Current body armor MSA (2021-2025 cycle, extended)

Master Agreements awarded in November 2020, effective through November 2025 with extension to 2026-2030 in progress. The current awarded contractors:

MSA#Manufacturer
164712Central Lake Armor Express (dba Armor Express)
164719Point Blank Enterprises
164720Safariland, LLC
164722Survival Armor, Inc.
164723United Shield International

Plus previous MSAs that covered GH Armor Systems and other entrants in earlier cycles.

Authorized dealers

Each MSA manufacturer designates authorized dealers per state for sizing, fitting, and order fulfillment. The dealer model varies by manufacturer:

  • Safariland uses a dealer-only model — direct purchase orders are not accepted. Orders flow through dealers like Atwell's (OH), Vance Outdoors (OH/MI), GT Distributors (FL/nat'l), Curtis Blue Line (CA + Western US), Security Equipment Corp (HI), 911 Supply (OR/HI), Dana Safety Supply (SE US), United Uniform Distribution (NY).

  • Point Blank supports both direct purchase and dealer channel. Dealer examples: Lombardi & Associates (NY), Galls (national), Carpenter Uniforms (IA), Blumenthal Uniforms (OR/WA), Skaggs (AZ/UT), Alamar Uniforms (NE/KS/MO).

  • Armor Express uses authorized distributors per state (Extreme Products in OR/HI, Galls nationally).

  • Survival Armor and United Shield have more limited dealer networks, often routed through regional specialists or direct.

How state agencies use NASPO for armor

Path 1: Direct NASPO MSA purchase (most common)

  1. State agency's PA is already signed (most NASPO member states)
  2. Agency contacts the manufacturer's authorized dealer for their state
  3. Dealer provides quote at NASPO pricing
  4. Agency issues PO; dealer fulfills from manufacturer inventory
  5. Reimbursement against BVP grant (if applicable) uses the dealer invoice

Path 2: Piggyback via state cooperative + NASPO combined

Some states combine a state-specific cooperative (e.g., CA CMAS, NY OGS, TX DIR, FL STC) with NASPO to give local agencies choice of which contract to cite. The pricing is usually identical because manufacturers honor the lowest cited contract.

Path 3: Off-NASPO state-specific contracts

A few states (Ohio STC GDC006 / RS901918, North Carolina STC 680C + 4615B) run their own RFPs and maintain state-specific authorized dealer lists alongside NASPO. These contracts sometimes include manufacturers or dealers not on the current NASPO MSA.

Why state agencies prefer NASPO over a custom RFP

  • Speed: PO directly against MSA, no 60-90 day RFP process
  • Transparency: pricing published; auditable
  • Multi-award: choose between 5+ manufacturers without favoring any
  • Compliance: lead state handled Buy American, equal opportunity, and other federal riders once for everyone
  • Volume pricing: aggregate state-level spend drives better discounts than any single state

What state agencies should watch for

NIJ CPL currency

The MSA doesn't guarantee every product remains NIJ CPL-listed. Before a BVP-funded purchase, verify current CPL status.

Authorized dealer network changes

Dealers come and go. If your traditional dealer has lost authorization (as happened with Ohio's RS901918 in 2021 when Amendment #28 delisted 15 non-compliant dealers), the manufacturer's current dealer list supersedes.

Renewal cycles

The current MSAs extend through 2025-2026. The next cycle (2026-2030) is being awarded now. Pricing and terms may change; watch for the transition window.

State PA signatures

Not every NASPO member state has signed every body armor PA. Check your state's signed list before assuming access. (Hawaii signs via SPO Price List Contract 21-15; Nevada, North Carolina, Iowa, Minnesota all have signed PAs.)

For dealers trying to get on the list

Manufacturers control their own dealer lists. To become an authorized dealer:

  1. Apply directly to the manufacturer's channel management
  2. Typically requires: LE supply history, physical location, insurance, compliance with manufacturer training + warranty servicing
  3. State-specific license requirements vary (AMMO dealer, armed security license, etc.)
  4. Manufacturer submits your authorization to NASPO to be listed as an authorized fulfilment partner

NASPO itself does not certify dealers — it contracts with manufacturers, and manufacturers designate dealers.

What Armor Systems covers

Our dealer directory includes 75+ authorized dealers across all six major manufacturers, with source-citation back to the state procurement contracts (Ohio RS901918, Florida DMS, NY OGS IFB 22926, NASPO 2021-2025 MSAs, Dana Safety Supply executive summary, Hawaii SPO PL 21-15 Change #16). State filtering + brand filtering makes it straightforward to find the right dealer for your state + manufacturer combination.

References

  • NASPO ValuePoint portfolio page — Body Armor and Ballistic Resistant Products (2020-2025)
  • Lead state — State of Colorado (current cycle)
  • Current MSAs — 164712, 164719, 164720, 164722, 164723
  • Participating Addenda — signed state-by-state; check your state's procurement website
  • Armor Systems dealer directory — 75+ authorized dealers, filterable by state + brand
NASPO ValuePoint for Body Armor — How State Agencies Actually Buy · Armor Systems