Guides & Briefs

New NIJ certification: Safariland, LLC BA-3A00S-SV02 (Level IIIA)

N6133126SNQ31-Sources Sought Announcement For Improved Maritime Ballistic Plate (IMBP)

Industry Day and Presolicitation Notice HITS-UIII

Mitigating Obsolescence of MIL-PRF-19500

Materials and Textiles Lab Tensile Tester

1377 - 01-170-5245 MS81, 1377-01-170-5246 MS82, 1377-01-170-5261 MS83, 1377-01-170-5263 MS85, 1377-01-170-5264 MS86, 1377-01-170-5265 MS87

Mitigating Obsolescence of MIL-PRF-19500

NIJ 0101.07 Addendum 3 — What Changed in December 2025

NIJ published Addendum 3 to Standard 0101.07 on December 1, 2025. The update refines test-methodology language introduced by the 2023 standard and does not require manufacturers to recertify existing products. Here's what it changes.

NIJ 0106 — The US Ballistic Helmet Standard Explained

NIJ 0106 is the primary US civil-sector ballistic-helmet certification. This guide covers its three handgun-only threat levels (I, IIA, II), why the standard doesn't address rifle threats, and why most LE procurement specifications pair it with military ACH-GEN-II.

NIJ 0108.01 — The Legacy Shield Standard, Still Required

NIJ 0108.01 has governed US ballistic shield certification since 1985. This guide covers its six threat levels, panel-only test scope, and how modern LE procurement increasingly pairs it with the newer ASTM E3347 specification for a full-assembly shield qualification.

ASTM E3347 — The New LE Shield Performance Specification

ASTM E3347 is the first US performance specification purpose-built for LE ballistic shields. It covers shield body, edges, viewports, fasteners, and weak points — going beyond NIJ 0108.01's panel-only scope. This guide covers what E3347 actually tests and why it's rapidly becoming a procurement requirement.

NIJ CPL snapshot — 2,445 products currently listed across eight manufacturers

NIJ 0101.06 → 0101.07 — What To Do With Your Existing Inventory

NIJ 0101.07 is the new baseline, but 0101.06 products remain valid for purchases made while they're still on the Compliant Products List. The question is when — not whether — to start the transition. Here's the decision framework.

NIJ Level III vs IV — Which Your Agency Should Specify

Level IV stops single M2AP (.30-06 armor-piercing) rounds; Level III stops multi-hit M80 ball (7.62×51mm NATO). Choice depends on expected threat, carrier weight tolerance, and replacement budget. Here is how to decide.

NIJ 0101.07 Transition — What's Changing, What's Grandfathered, What to Buy

NIJ 0101.07 replaces 0101.06 as the body armor ballistic standard. New threat-level naming (HG1/HG2/RF1-RF3), expanded conditioning protocols, and a phased transition. Here's the purchase decision framework.

NIJ Threat Levels Explained — IIA, II, IIIA, III, IV vs HG1/HG2/RF1/RF2/RF3

NIJ threat levels define what ballistic threats body armor resists. Level IIIA stops most handgun rounds. Level III stops rifle rounds but not armor-piercing. Level IV adds AP protection. Here's how to pick the right level for the mission.