DHS Notice Shows ICE Procurement of Up to $20 Million in Conductive Distraction Gloves
ICE's $20 million solicitation for electric shock gloves reflects agency efforts to expand control options in enforcement operations. The move pairs with body camera rollout amid congressional demands for transparency following use-of-force incidents. Primary solicitation documents and training restrictions indicate both operational incentives and built-in limits on application.
The Department of Homeland Security notice specifies purchase of CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E. devices from Compliant Technologies at a ceiling of $20 million. These gloves require direct skin contact to deliver low-output voltage and are restricted to no more than two units at once with applications capped at 15 seconds. The devices are intended for HSI and ERO agents during encounters where subjects turn violent.
Manufacturer guidelines prohibit use against verbal resistance, as punishment, or on children, pregnant women, the elderly, or disabled persons. Officers must complete initial training and recertify every two years. The notice coincides with acting Director David Venturella's August 8 announcement that body-worn cameras would be issued to all agents by the end of August.
The procurement occurs against documented congressional pressure for ICE reform after fatal shootings of U.S. citizens in Minnesota earlier in 2025. Primary records show Democrats conditioned DHS funding on accountability measures while the agency seeks tools that lower the threshold for physical intervention in civil enforcement actions.
Future deployment will be constrained by the requirement for documented justification and camera footage review. Congressional oversight committees are expected to request usage data within the first quarter after initial fielding.
Acting ICE Director David Venturella: Initial field deployment of at least 500 certified agents using G.L.O.V.E. devices in operations by June 30, 2027.
Sources (2)
- [1]Primary Source(https://sam.gov/content/opportunities)
- [2]Supporting Source(https://www.dhs.gov/news)