By Brian Shane

Staff Writer

A Pocomoke City defense contractor has been awarded a long-term contract valued at $416 million to produce body armor for U.S. soldiers on the battlefield.

The Department of Defense announced March 14 that Hardwire LLC won a bid to produce Lares Small Arms Protective Inserts, part of what the Army calls the Vital Torso Protection Program, or VTP.

“Lares” is a reference to protective guardian spirits from ancient Rome, and this model of armor is the lightest version out of three possible variants of ballistic protection, an Army spokesman said.

He said it’s part of a long-standing Army initiative to create body armor that is less one-size-fits-all, and more suited to soldiers with smaller frames, like short men or petite women.

A lighter protective vest for soldiers in combat provides greater mobility and faster movement, according to Congressional testimony this month from Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus. He said the Army’s latest generation of protective inserts, like the ones being developed at Hardwire, should weigh about 30% less than a soldier’s current standard body armor.

Hardwire founder and chief executive officer George Tunis called the program a “win-win.”

“It is good for the warfighter, good for the defense industrial base, and good for the local Eastern Shore workforce,” he said. “It will continue to grow full-time, family-supporting jobs in Pocomoke. I couldn’t be more proud of the Hardwire team and their gritty perseverance.”

Set to expire in 2032, Hardwire’s deal is what’s known as “indefinite delivery-indefinite quantity” contract, and the dollar amount of the agreement represents a ceiling for orders, the Army spokesman said. It gives Hardwire a long-term deal to continue producing the VTP armor plating for the Army on an as-needed basis.

The contract was publicized by Congressman Andy Harris (R-1st) who posted to social media last week about the award.

“For decades, Hardwire has facilitated the expansion of business in my district though their innovative products that protect military, police, and our communities,” Harris said in a statement. “I look forward to watching the important work of hardwire through this critical Army investment which advances the readiness, lethality, and protection of the American warfighter.”

Founded by Tunis in 2000, Hardwire is headquartered in a 130,000 square foot manufacturing facility in downtown Pocomoke City. The company designs and manufactures bullet-resistant armor plating and soft armor for the military and law enforcement. Hardwire also provides bulletproof shields for local schools, some of which double as handheld whiteboards.

Hardwire was one of two winning bidders on the contract. A company called Leading Technology Composites Inc., out of Wichita, Kansas, also will be producing armor inserts. Their bids were solicited online. The armor will be tested at Aberdeen Proving Ground, the Army said.