Community Firearm Violence Intervention and Prevention Grants

The Washington Department of Commerce is seeking proposals for the implementation of firearm violence intervention strategies to improve public health and safety by supporting effective firearm violence reduction initiatives in communities disproportionately affected by firearm violence. The community intervention grants will support local communities with evidence-based, culturally relevant, and community-led firearm violence intervention strategies. Proposals must demonstrate the proposer's ability to implement or expand upon one of the community violence intervention (CVI) evidence-based strategies. Some of the key objectives and scope of work include: • Implementing or expanding an evidence-based firearm violence reduction strategy • Focusing on priority areas with high prevalence of firearm fatality and injury • Defining the specific neighborhood, community, or communities where services will be provided • Describing how at-risk individuals will be identified • Planning for managing and staffing the violence intervention services • Outlining the intent and budget to collaborate with local leaders and community members to implement sustainable prevention and intervention strategies • Outlining the intent and budget for participation in data collection and evaluation processes Some key features of the RFP include: • The estimated total budget for this RFP is $8,000,000 • The maximum award for a single entity proposal is $400,000 for the total period of performance and $200,000 per fiscal year • The maximum award for a joint entity proposal is $800,000 for the total period of performance and $400,000 per fiscal year • The period of performance is tentatively scheduled to begin on or about 02/18/2026 and to end on 06/30/2027 • COMMERCE reserves the right to extend the contract for two one-year periods Some key requirements for proposers include: • Being licensed to do business in the state of Washington or submitting a statement of commitment to become licensed within 30 days of being selected as the apparent successful contractor • Being a local or tribal government agency, or a non-governmental community-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization • Demonstrating program readiness, dedicated resources, expertise in project execution and administration, and a professional development plan for any new staff • Identifying any existing or expected funding amounts and sources • Outlining proposed improvements and expansions, highlighting resources and expertise required, and describing a professional development plan for any new staff Some key evaluation criteria include: • The proposer's ability to implement or expand upon one of the community violence intervention (CVI) evidence-based strategies • The proposer's experience and expertise in firearm violence prevention and intervention • The proposer's ability to collaborate with local leaders and community members to implement sustainable prevention and intervention strategies • The proposer's ability to participate in data collection and evaluation processes Some key deliverables include: • A fully described plan for implementing or expanding an evidence-based firearm violence reduction strategy • A detailed budget and budget narrative • A plan for managing and staffing the violence intervention services • A plan for collaborating with local leaders and community members to implement sustainable prevention and intervention strategies • A plan for participating in data collection and evaluation processes Some key next steps include: • Submitting a proposal by the deadline of 1/7/2026 • Participating in a virtual presentation with finalists, if required • Negotiating a contract with COMMERCE, if selected as the apparent successful contractor • Beginning the period of performance on or about 02/18/2026 Some key contacts and resources include: • Vlad Lukin, RFP Coordinator, [email protected], (509) 606-3541 • The Washington Department of Commerce website, https://www.commerce.wa.gov/ • The Washington Electronic Business Solution (WEBS) website, https://fortress.wa.gov/ga/webs/