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 receiving grant funding to conduct projects in alignment with the federal Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) requirements and Washington’s JAG Priority Areas.

Washington’s JAG Priority Areas are supported by the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program. Named after Edward “Eddie” R. Byrne, an officer in the New York City Police Department who was murdered while protecting a witness in a drug case, the JAG Program is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), the JAG Program provides states, territories, tribes, and local governments with critical funding necessary to support a range of criminal legal system improvement and community advancement programs.

During 2023, the Washington JAG Advisory Committee developed a Strategic Plan to guide the investment of JAG funds across the state. As part of the strategic plan, the following JAG Purpose Areas were identified as Washington’s Priority Areas of Focus:

• Planning, Evaluation and Technology Improvement
• Crime Victim Programming, Support and Advocacy
• Community Safety Enhancement and Law Enforcement Programs/Support

Approximately $5,000,000 of JAG funding will be awarded through this NOFO. COMMERCE intends to award multiple contracts to provide the services described in this NOFO.