This challenge is open to sole innovators, industry, academic and research organisations of all types and sizes. There is no requirement for security clearances.

Solution providers or direct collaboration from countries listed by the UK government under trade sanctions and/or arms embargoes are not eligible for HMGCC CoCreation challenges.

Context

Close protection officers who are charged with protecting VIPs from potential threats need to keep a low profile. Personal protection equipment, specifically stab and slash proof body armour is a necessity. It must not draw attention, restrict movement or interfere with the officer’s ability to blend into professional and social settings.

The commercial market has many protective garments available for men, designed around male body shapes but, whilst some options exist for women, female officers are still reporting compromises in comfort, fit, concealability and wearability.

The gap

Current protective garments are often made of plated material or woven aramid fibres. Although more body armour for women has appeared on the market in recent years, further solutions are still needed in the area of ultra low-profile and discreet stab vests to wear under clothing. Challenges faced include excessive bulk beneath lightweight clothing, reduced comfort during extended wear, restricted mobility and compromised fit for female users.

There is a need for innovative protective solutions that balance discreet appearance, user comfort and protection against edged weapon threats, while meeting the Home Office Body Armour standard 2017 or equivalent.

Amelia and Frank are close protection officers supporting a VIP during a multi-day overseas visit.

Their role requires them to remain close to the principal, ensuring their safety. During this visit Amelia and Frank are wearing professional attire. Part of the job is to blend into a range of environments including meetings, receptions and public engagements.

They don’t want to draw any attention to themselves or to frighten nearby public into thinking there could be danger, so they stay low profile. They may spend long periods standing, walking, driving and moving through crowded locations.

Amelia and Frank actually wear very similar protective equipment, concealed beneath lightweight business attire. Frank finds his movement largely unrestricted and remains comfortable throughout the working day, whereas the protective equipment for Amelia causes discomfort over time.

There needs to be a better solution so that Amelia remains protected against edged weapon threats, but her long term comfort needs are also met.

This challenge seeks prototypes of discreet stab resistant protection for female users.

The outcome should be to a minimum of Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 – technology basic validation in a relevant environment.

Essential requirements:

• a minimum deliverable of a swatch of the proposed protective material
• a delivered final report, detailing performance, limitations and future development opportunities
• must be designed specially around female users
• must be designed for comfort and concealability under clothing
• must be stab and slash proof
• must provide a demonstration of effectiveness against bladed weapons
• must provide at least a roadmap to achieve Home Office Body Armour standard 2017
• must use the guide – BSI 30417 Provision of inclusive personal protective equipment

Desirable requirements:

• demonstrate multiple protective equipment options to users for down-selection
• deliverable should include a wearable demonstrator
• consider trade-off of armour plates and fibres against performance, concealability and comfort for female users
• the weight of protective equipment should be below existing commercially available protective solutions
• the protective equipment should have enhanced breathability and thermal comfort
• the protective equipment should be compatible with a range of body shapes and sizes
• a stretch goal is to provide ballistic protection against handgun calibre projectiles

Constraints:

• user comfort should be considered a primary design driver alongside protection
• designs should consider practicality, maintenance and scalability
• for continued work, the eventual product must be compatible with the Home Office body armour standard 2017 or equivalent

Not required:

• overt, military style tactical body armour
• concept studies without a demonstrator

Competition opens: Monday 5 October 2026

Clarifying questions deadline: Thursday 22 October 2026
(clarifying questions can be submitted directly to cocreation@hmgcc.gov.uk before the deadline with the challenge title as the subject)

Clarifying questions published: Thursday 29 October 2026

Competition closes: Thursday 5 November 2026

Applicants notified: Monday 16 November 2026

Pitch Day: Thursday Thursday 26 November 2026

Pitch Day outcome: Monday 30 November 2026

Commercial onboarding begins: Friday 4 December 2026
(the successful solution provider will be expected to have availability for a one-hour onboarding call via MS Teams on the date specified to begin the onboarding/contractual process)

Target project kick-off: December 2026