NIJ 0101.06 → 0101.07 — What To Do With Your Existing Inventory
Your current armor is still on the CPL. The new standard is published. Here's the decision framework that keeps BVP eligibility intact while you transition.
NIJ 0101.06 → 0101.07 — What To Do With Your Existing Inventory
NIJ published Standard 0101.07 in late 2023. As of 2026, the Compliant Products List reflects a mix of both standards — some models carry only the .06 certification, some only .07, and a small number carry both. Most agencies we work with are asking a version of the same question:
Do we have to replace everything on our roster? And if not, when should we start the transition?
Short answer: No, you do not have to replace anything immediately. Long answer: the transition is a multi-year buy-when-you-would-have-bought-anyway decision, not a forced recall. But the framework for your next procurement cycle has changed.
What actually changed between .06 and .07
The short version, from the procurement perspective:
| Aspect | 0101.06 | 0101.07 |
|---|---|---|
| Test rounds | II (9mm, .357), IIIA (.357 SIG, .44), III (7.62×51 M80), IV (.30-06 M2AP) | HG1, HG2 (handgun tiers), RF1 (baseline rifle M80), RF2 (adds M193 + 7.62×39 MSC), RF3 (M2AP) |
| Women's fit | Optional test | Mandatory testing with female mannequins |
| Environmental conditioning | Baseline (heat + humidity) | Expanded (light, mechanical flex, more aggressive temp cycling) |
| Test shots per panel | Fewer | More shots and more angles |
| Marking | Level letter | Level letter + "NIJ 0101.07" on label |
For most municipal and county LE duty use, RF1 ≈ Level III and RF3 ≈ Level IV. That mapping is what matters on a purchase decision.
The decision tree for your next procurement cycle
Step 1: Is the armor you currently own on the CPL right now?
- Yes → Keep wearing it. BVP-reimbursable purchases were valid when made.
- No, but it was on the CPL on the date of purchase → Also keep wearing it. Agencies are not required to remove armor from service solely because the CPL listing has aged off.
- No, and you're not sure when it was listed → Document the warranty + the original PO. Your current use is still defensible; your next replacement cycle is the decision point.
Step 2: When does each officer's armor expire?
Pull the roster with warranty expiration dates. Sort soonest-first. Your transition window is that roster.
Step 3: For each replacement, prefer .07 unless a specific .06 SKU is otherwise a perfect match.
If the .07 version of the carrier + plate is on the CPL at the time of purchase, buy it. If only the .06 version of the specific made-to-measure female-fit vest you need is listed, buy that; your officer is better protected by a .06 vest that fits than a .07 vest that doesn't.
Step 4: Document the transition plan in your next BVP application.
Narratives that acknowledge the standards transition and commit to .07 replacement on the natural cycle score well in review.
What not to do
- Don't recall on-service .06 armor early. BVP doesn't require it, and the cost of early replacement isn't reimbursable.
- Don't bulk-preorder unlisted .07 product on manufacturer promises. BVP eligibility requires the product to be on the CPL on the date of purchase. A press release doesn't count.
- Don't write RFPs that require both standards simultaneously. Nothing meaningful is gained; you narrow the bid field and push prices up.
Monitoring the transition as it happens
The CPL is re-scanned daily. New .07 certifications and .06 de-listings both drive alerts to subscribers. The product catalog shows current listing status for every SKU we track.
Checklist for the current FY
- Replacement roster with warranty expirations, sorted by date
- For each expiration in the next 18 months, identified a .07 candidate (or documented why a specific .06 model is still the right choice)
- BVP narrative includes the transition plan
- PO template requires CPL listing verified on date of purchase (not quote date)
- Manufacturer rep identified for the transition question on your top current models