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Strafford County approves bid waiver for 18 fitted ballistic vests for sheriff's staff
Summary
The commission approved a bid waiver and authorized the sheriff or designee to finalize purchase details for 18 fitted ballistic vests and plates, citing staff safety and a roughly $20,000 budget available to cover the purchase. Commissioners discussed per-vest pricing and retaining expired vests for backups.
Strafford County commissioners voted to waive formal bidding and authorize the sheriff's office to purchase 18 fitted ballistic vests and accompanying plates to replace gear reaching the end of its recommended service life.
Sheriff's office staff explained the purchase will replace vests that carry a 2025 end-of-life date and recommended fitted carriers for full-time staff rather than interchangeable, one-size units. The quote in the packet lists an approximate per-plate price of $578 and an overall per-vest estimate near $750; staff told commissioners the sheriff's office has about $20,000 available in budget authority to cover the purchase and any extras for per-diem personnel.
Staff recommended a bid waiver on grounds of vendor technical capability and fitting options; the vendor offered to perform fittings on-site or via remote assistance, which staff said would be logistically more convenient and reduce travel to out-of-state dealers. Commissioners approved the bid-waiver motion and authorized the sheriff or his designee to complete purchase arrangements.
Commissioners and staff discussed options for keeping expired vests as backups or for training use; staff said they would retain some expired units for limited nonoperational uses rather than frontline deployment. The purchase will be administered by the sheriff's office under county procurement and budget rules.
