How to bid on Suicide Prevention innovations for the VA Innovation Ecosystem

What the VA is buying and why it matters

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is looking for innovative ideas to prevent suicide among veterans, improve their care coordination, and enhance treatment. This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks early-stage research, development, prototyping, and pilot programs.

The goal is to find solutions that can significantly increase veteran access to services, reduce or control costs, improve VA operational performance, and enhance the quality of service for veterans and their families. This is an opportunity for organizations to contribute to critical veteran care.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

Concept Papers are being accepted from July 15, 2024, through September 30, 2026. The final deadline for submissions is September 30, 2026. There is no specific time mentioned for this final deadline, but it is wise to submit well in advance.

Submissions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Missing the deadline means your concept paper will not be considered for this opportunity.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is open to a wide range of organizations, including private sector companies, non-profits, and institutions of higher learning. It is particularly suited for entities with expertise in professional services, research and development, healthcare innovation, or technology development related to mental health and care coordination.

The VA is interested in early-stage concepts, so firms with innovative ideas that are not yet fully mature but show strong potential are encouraged to respond.

How to respond

To respond to this BAA, you must submit your Concept Paper to [email protected]. Ensure your submission clearly outlines your innovative idea for suicide prevention, care coordination, or treatment.

To access the original source document, click the “View original source” link. If the first click takes you to the portal’s homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents, though this is not always required.

Tips for preparing a competitive response

Focus on clearly articulating how your proposed innovation directly addresses the VA's goals: increasing access, reducing costs, enhancing performance, or improving quality of service for veterans. Provide specific examples or a clear vision of the impact.

Since this is for early-stage concepts, emphasize the potential for growth and scalability of your idea. Outline a realistic path from your current concept to a deployable solution within the VA system. Highlight any preliminary research or foundational work you have already completed.

Ensure your concept paper is concise, well-organized, and easy to understand. Avoid jargon where possible, and clearly explain the technical aspects and benefits of your innovation.