Assistance Listings

Suicide Mortality Review Cooperative Agreements

Objectives

This funding supports States, territories, and Tribal entities in establishing, coordinating, and managing suicide mortality review committees (SMRC) to identify and characterize suicide deaths and support the capacity to develop and implement data-informed strategies to prevent suicide. Veterans must be a population of focus for the SMRC efforts of the awarded entity.

Examples of Funded Projects

Assistance Listing Description

Authority: Funding applied for under this program is authorized by section 303 of Division V of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L. 117-328), which states that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into agreements with States, territories, and American Indian and Alaska Native Tribes for the development and implementation of veteran suicide prevention proposals through the Governor’s Challenge Program.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Current Year: Focus Area 1 applicants – up to $300,000 Focus Area 2 applicants – up to $575,000

Accomplishments

Account Identification

36-0160-0-1-703-Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Suicide Prevention

Types of Assistance

B - Cooperative Agreements

Credentials and Documentation

This funding opportunity has special eligibility requirements of applicants. See the NOFO for more details. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Applicant Eligibility

Eligible applicants must be one of the following: 1. American Indian, Alaskan Native Tribal governments. 2.A State or territory. This may include, States, the District of Columbia, Guam, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Note: States, territories, and Tribes may identify key counties, cities, municipalities, or other political subdivisions within their own jurisdiction with whom they wish to coordinate for local SMRC development and implementation, which must be noted in the application.

Beneficiary Eligibility

State governments, territorial governments, tribal governments

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funding is provided after eligible entities are awarded, which will be for one year, with funding being awarded by September 30, 2024. Funding must be spent by the end of the following fiscal year, September 30, 2025. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly

Use of Assistance

Funds can be used to support core suicide mortality review committee functions (i.e. abstraction, analysis, coordination, meeting logistics, dissemination activities, and travel for relevant activities). Funds can be used to pay for services (i.e. postvention, outreach, and education), activities (i.e. trainings, conferences), and supplies necessary to conduct the aims outlined in the NOFO.Funds cannot be used for research, construction, vehicle purchases, pre-award costs. Funds may not be used for any kind of impermissible lobbying activity designed to influence proposed or pending legislation, appropriations, regulations, administrative actions, or Executive Orders. The direct and primary recipient in a cooperative agreement program must perform a substantial role in carrying out project outcomes and not merely serve as a conduit for an award to another party or provider who is ineligible.

Deadlines

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedures

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program.

Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window).

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications will be divided into two groups, Focus Area 1 and Focus Area 2. Applications will be scored by a VA review committee. The review committee will be trained in understanding the program’s goals, the requirements of the NOFO and the prescribed scoring rubric and will follow uniform guidance on application reviews (pursuant to 2 C.F.R. part 200). SMR cooperative agreement scoring criteria can be viewed in this NOFO.

Award Procedure

Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed for entity eligibility and those deemed eligible will be scored using standardized criteria. A listing of proposed awards will be forwarded to the Office of the Secretary of Veteran Affairs for final approval. Funds will be distributed to awarded entities via an account with the Payment Management Services, which awarded entities will use to access the funds.

Date Range for Approval/Disapproval

From 60 to 90 days.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Policy Requirements

Reports

Audits

Records

Records should be maintained for the period established by the Memorandum of Agreement (7 years). If any claim or audit is started before the expiration of this time period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

All program guides and literature are under development now. Applicable Congressional Acts and Public Law have previously been stated.

Formula and Matching Requirements

Regional or Local Locations:

Headquarters Office: