Body Armor for Local Law Enforcement (BARM) Grant Program

The Body Armor for Local Law Enforcement (BARM) Grant is a state-funded reimbursement program administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP) in Maryland. This grant is designed to assist local law enforcement agencies in purchasing protective body armor and stab-resistant vests for their sworn officers. The goal is to enhance officer safety and ensure readiness in high-risk situations by subsidizing the cost of compliant body armor. BARM supports the broader objectives of the GOCPP, which include disrupting criminal networks involved in guns, drugs, gangs, and human trafficking. The grant reflects a continued commitment to public safety by ensuring officers have up-to-date and effective protective equipment. Established by Maryland legislation in 1995 and transferred to the GOCPP in 2006, the BARM program funds local law enforcement agencies across Maryland but excludes state agencies. For the State Fiscal Year 2027 cycle, the program anticipates making 5 to 15 awards of up to $5,000 each, with a total available funding pool of $49,088. All funds are contingent upon budget approval during Maryland’s 2026 legislative session. The reimbursement structure covers 50% of the cost of qualifying protective vests, with the remaining cost to be borne by the applying agency. Grant awards are disbursed on a quarterly reimbursement basis after submission of corresponding fiscal and programmatic reports. Eligible applicants include local law enforcement agencies that did not receive BARM funding in FY 2026. The eligibility criteria are strict—only sworn law enforcement officers are covered, and funds may not be used for new hires anticipated beyond the award period ending June 30, 2027. Applicants must demonstrate need by detailing violent crime statistics, the number of officers without vests, and the condition of current equipment. Only NIJ-compliant protective equipment may be purchased, and body armor containing Zylon® is expressly prohibited. Agencies must submit a mandatory wear policy for uniformed officers as part of their application. The application process is fully digital and must be completed using the Grants Management System (GMS) portal. The deadline for submission is April 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Agencies new to the system must request a User ID by April 10, 2026. Required components include a detailed narrative addressing organizational capacity, needs justification, project design, goals and objectives, data tracking, personnel, and a full budget with cost share explanation. Applicants must also complete the Organizational Capacity Questionnaire via a Qualtrics form and upload various certification and compliance documents into GMS. Evaluation of applications is competitive and multi-tiered. Applications are scored based on organizational capacity, problem statement, program design, and financial planning. Special attention is given to performance history, geographic reach, and compliance with prior grants. Awards will be announced in June 2026, and funded projects will commence on July 1, 2026, and must be completed by June 30, 2027. The program requires strict compliance with reporting, inventory tracking, and performance metrics, ensuring transparency and accountability in use of public funds. The primary point of contact for the program is Sharon Leason, the BARM Grant Manager, reachable at [email protected]. Technical assistance is also available through training videos and guidance documents hosted on the GOCPP website. Additional questions about the grant cycle or specific compliance matters can be directed to designated fiscal and technical officers listed in the NOFA. The SFY 2027 BARM grant continues Maryland’s long-standing commitment to law enforcement safety through targeted and accountable financial assistance.

Ensure all narrative responses adhere to word limits or risk disqualification; incomplete submissions may be removed from consideration.