U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to purchase millions of dollars worth of electrically charged gloves for use by federal officers and agents, according to a Department of Homeland Security acquisition notice published Aug. 10. The planned purchase covers the CTG-5 G.L.O.V.E., or Generated Low Output Voltage Emitter, which DHS describes as a “Conductive Distraction and De-escalation Device.” The equipment would be issued to personnel within Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations. DHS estimates the contract at between $10 million and $20 million.

The acquisition is listed as a new requirement and is expected to move forward without competition under a firm-fixed-price contract. DHS currently anticipates releasing the solicitation on Aug. 14 and awarding the contract during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026. The listed period of performance runs through March 31, 2027, with Fort Benning, Georgia, identified as the place of performance. The acquisition notice does not specify the exact number of gloves ICE intends to purchase or provide a detailed explanation for why the agency selected the device.

The CTG-5 is manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies and is designed to function as both a patrol glove and an electrically activated compliance device. According to manufacturer specifications, the CT-G5 operates between 324 and 362 volts and produces short electrical pulses approximately 30 times per second. The system is activated through a switch on the glove and includes a “Smart Touch Finger,” standby mode and event-recording capability. Compliant Technologies markets the technology for use by law enforcement, corrections, security personnel, emergency medical services and the military.

The planned procurement would place another less-lethal force option directly on officers’ hands during arrests, detention operations and other encounters requiring physical control. ICE has simultaneously expanded its use of body-worn cameras across enforcement operations, with agency policy calling for cameras to be used broadly during enforcement activity. The acquisition forecast does not detail what training, use-of-force restrictions or reporting requirements would accompany deployment of the CTG-5. Those policies are likely to determine how extensively the gloves can be used once issued to officers and agents.