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Washington State Dept. of Commerce
Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention - Community Safety Unit
 State Crisis Intervention Program - Secure, Store, Track and Return Relinquished Firearms 		CLOSED  Deadline  9/22/2024
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Purpose and Background  [hide this]

The Washington Department of Commerce, hereafter called "COMMERCE,” is initiating this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit Proposals from those qualified and interested in grant funding to safely secure, store, track, and return relinquished firearms. 

In 2022, COMMERCE was awarded funding under the U.S. Department of Justice Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP). This funding supports efforts to improve implementation of state laws such as RCW 7.105, RCW 9.41, and RCW 10.99 that can result in firearm relinquishment ordered by courts pursuant to Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), Orders to Surrender and Prohibit Weapons (OTSPWs) issued with other civil protection orders such as domestic violence protection orders, and no contact orders (NCOs) (collectively “firearm relinquishment laws”).

Due to the increase in firearms in circulation and the increase in ERPOs and OTSPWs requiring firearm relinquishment, law enforcement agencies are seeing an increase in the total number of firearms received or required to be relinquished. Infrastructure has not kept pace with the overall demand/need in this area. Ensuring removal of firearms in these cases as soon as possible, often referred to as “upstream recovery,” is a foundational aspect on which harm reduction and lethality prevention rest.

COMMERCE is soliciting Proposals from jurisdictions that demonstrate a need for program enhancements in the area of securing, storing, tracking, and returning relinquished firearms. 

COMMERCE intends to award multiple contracts to provide the services described in this NOFO. 
Objectives and Scope of Work  [hide this]

Objectives

Funded projects and the resulting outcomes will build on already established programs to safely secure, store, track, and return relinquished firearms, thus improving the effectiveness of implementation and enforcement of the state’s firearm relinquishment laws. This NOFO is intended to complement COMMERCE’s other SCIP-funded projects to collectively improve the implementation and enforcement of the state’s firearm relinquishment laws. 

Scope of Work

The primary consideration when serving ERPOs/OTSPWs and securing firearms is ensuring the safety of respondents, officers, and any other individuals involved in these cases. Having a clear protocol that is responsive to the case and trained personnel is important. Engaging with respondents’ support networks and social service providers (e.g., crisis response teams, mental health providers, faith leaders) when appropriate can help minimize the risks and ensure successful and safe dispossession of firearms. 

Jurisdictions also need to establish a comprehensive protocol for storing and tracking such firearms, including dedicating funding to create or improve firearm storage facilities. A combination of storage with a local law enforcement agency and options for non-law enforcement storage—such as with a licensed gun dealer—may be offered when permitted by law. In addition, courts and law enforcement agencies need to establish clear steps for how a respondent can retrieve their firearms when an ERPO/OTSPW expires or is terminated. Explaining the process for regaining firearms to respondents can help alleviate concerns and contribute to successful ERPO/OTSPW service.

Proposed projects are required to address the following area(s) related to relinquished firearms: securing; storing; tracking; and/or returning relinquished firearms.

The following is a list of promising practices and approaches jurisdictions may want to consider in response to this NOFO:

  • Develop/Implement a model policy and procedure for service of ERPOs/OTSPWs and firearm dispossession that relies on specially trained officers and local social service providers.
  • Develop/Implement an inter-jurisdictional or regional resource to safely and lawfully serve as firearm recovery, such as a mobile firearm recovery unit that utilizes both sworn and non-sworn personnel.
  • Identify/Expand options for storage and space of dispossessed firearms, including storage/space with a law enforcement agency or licensed gun dealer or legal alternative, ensuring all accreditation, liability, and risk management requirements are addressed.
  • Develop/Implement clear protocols for tracking of firearms, including guidelines of evidence.
  • Develop/Implement clear protocols for return of firearms after an ERPO/OTSPW expires, consistent with state law.
  • Any combination of practices or approaches that improve the effectiveness of implementation and enforcement of the state’s firearm relinquishment laws in the area of securing, storing, tracking, and returning firearms.
Minimum Qualifications  [hide this]

Minimum qualifications include:

  • Licensed to do business in the state of Washington or submit a statement of commitment that it will become licensed in Washington within thirty (30) calendar days of being selected as the Apparent Successful Grantee.
  • Operate as a unit of local government (a unit of local government is defined as a city, county, town, township, or federally recognized Tribe, such as a law enforcement agency or court system).
  • Experience in/with serving ERPOs/OTSPWs and associated firearm dispossession.

Proposals that do not clearly meet or exceed all minimum qualifications listed above are non-responsive and will not be evaluated. 
Library  [hide this]
Description File Name Date Uploaded File Type
NOFO Scoresheet Framework NOFOScoresheetFrame.xlsx 7/16/2024 9:40:45 AM XLSX
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) F24-34443-006_NoticeofFundingOpportunity.pdf 7/16/2024 11:07:46 AM PDF
NOFO Amendment F24-34443-006NOFOAmendment.pdf 8/23/2024 8:48:14 AM PDF


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Funding

COMMERCE intends to award multiple contracts to provide the services described in this NOFO.

COMMERCE has budgeted an amount not to exceed $1 million for this project. Individual Proposals may not exceed $250,000. Proposals in excess of $250,000 will be considered non-responsive and will not be evaluated. In the event additional funding becomes available during the period of performance, any contract awarded may be amended to provide for additional related services. Additional funding is not guaranteed. 

Funding Priority

COMMERCE intends to prioritize small local jurisdictions under a Department of Justice (DOJ) requirement known as the “less than $10,000 pass-through requirement." The top two scored Proposals from small local jurisdictions will be funded as the first and second Apparent Successful Grantee(s). Thereafter, all Proposals will be evaluated equally and the remaining funding will be based on top scored Proposals, no matter the size of the jurisdiction. For a full list of small local jurisdictions that meet this priority, click here.

Any contract awarded as a result of this NOFO is contingent upon the availability of funding.

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