Fresno-based Pinnacle Armor is hitting a brick wall in its efforts to get the federal government to re-certify its “dragon skin” ballistic vests.

The National Institute of Justice yanked its certification of “dragon skin” last month because of warranty issues, and Pinnacle scrambled to provide the test data that would smooth things over.

The test data is in, but so far the N.I.J. is acting like it doesn't exist.

Pinnacle Armor CEO Murray Neal has waited for his phone to ring for the last 3 weeks.

That's how long ago independent testing proved that his “dragon skin” ballistic vests hold up beyond their six-year warranty - information the National Institute of Justice said was lacking when it revoked “dragon skin's” certification in early August.

Even though the results are in, the N.I.J. hasn't called back.

"We've left numerous messages for the director, the assistant director, the director's assistant... nobody's returning our calls," Neal said.

The de-certification took its toll on Pinnacle's business, but now sales of “dragon skin” are rebounding on the orders of a handful of police departments frustrated by the N.I.J.'s silence.

"They seem more than happy talking to people in ballistics that the data is strong, it isn't refutable, and they're moving forward with it," Neal said.

The defense watchdog group "Soldiers for the Truth" says those police departments are simply following the facts.

Retired Marine Lieutenant Colonel Roger Charles says N.I.J. is ignoring those facts at its own peril.

"It just smacks of some inside the beltway political scheming - a blatant example of abuse of authority by a government agency," Lt. Col. Charles said.

Pinnacle Armor says litigation is still a possibility. in the meantime, it is also having N.I.J.-certified U.S. test laboratory in Kansas conduct more tests on 6 and 7-year old “dragon skin” vests to expand the body of data backing its warranty.

The National Institute of Justice has not responded to requests for comment