Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Prevention Grant Program (COPPGP)

No, per the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) the award range begins at $50,000. However, a larger umbrella political jurisdiction could meet the funding threshold by partnering with and making subawards to other jurisdictions within it (e.g., subgrants to towns with an applicant county). All three fundable activities (purchase and installation, training, and public outreach/ education) collectively count towards the minimum award amount.

Payments are generally issued on a reimbursement basis but may include advance payments if permitted in the Notice of Award.

The review information is in section 5 of the FOA. Rating includes the introduction (10 points), workplan (60 points), and budget/schedule (30 points) components of the application. Reviewers will also consider the favorable consideration factor in assessing applications.

There is a general template in Appendix A of the FOA. The template is not mandatory, but there are different requirements for the different activities under the grant. The budget must outline the requested amount for each activity separately. Cost share should be included and clearly shown on the budget as well as the additional attachment.

Please see section 3.4 of the FOA. Both cash and in-kind contributions can be used to satisfy the cost share requirement. Generally, in-kind contributions include personnel costs and facility costs. Please review 2 CFR 200.306 for additional information regarding cost sharing.

This information is included in sections 2 and 4.9.4.2 of the FOA. CPSC expects an applicant to program funds over a 2-year period and submit a corresponding schedule. There can be a slow start, in some cases, to activities proposed in a grant application and the 2-year time frame helps mitigate this. Additionally, the purchase and installation of compliant carbon monoxide alarms may require more than the 1-year timeframe that is common to most federal grants. The 2-year timeframe also permits additional training and educational opportunities.

If activities are completed sooner than expected, an applicant may submit a final progress report and final federal financial report to indicate completion of activities under the grant.

Funding Eligibility (who may apply, what may be included)

This information is included in section 4.9.3 of the FOA. Yes, you may apply for any one of the three activities (purchase and installation, training, and public outreach/education) or any combination thereof. For example, a funding request could be just for training or purchase and installation, public outreach/education. There is a 5% limit on administrative costs for the purchase and installation and public outreach/ education activities. If applying for multiple activities including the public outreach/ education activity, then public education/ outreach may not account for more than 25% of the total amount. If funding is only requested for public outreach/education, then it can be funded in full and will not be subject to the 25% limitation.

Yes, ANSI/UL 2034 compliant alarms and ANSI/UL 2075 compliant detectors are allowable. Only CO alarms considered to be compliant CO alarms under the statute are eligible for funding. Please see below for more information.

Compliant Carbon Monoxide alarms are defined in the NZB Act (NICHOLAS AND ZACHARY BURT MEMORIAL CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING PREVENTION ACT OF 2022): “COMPLIANT CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM.—The term ‘‘compliant carbon monoxide alarm’’ means a carbon monoxide alarm that complies with the most current version of— (A) the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms of the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL 2034), or any successor standard; and (B) the Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors of the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL 2075), or any successor standard.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090 note.

To be eligible, the jurisdiction must have laws in place requiring installation of compliant carbon monoxide detectors in accordance with NFPA 72, the IFC, or the IRC. Please see below for more information.

Per the NZB Act, section 204:

“For the purposes of this section, an eligible State or Tribal organization is any State or Tribal organization that— (1) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that the State or Tribal organization has adopted a statute or a rule, regulation, or similar measure with the force and effect of law, requiring compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units in accordance with NFPA 72, the IFC, or the IRC.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090(b)(1).

Applicants must have a law in place requiring the installation of compliant carbon monoxide detectors, as outlined in the NZB Act. There is no mandate that the alarms be installed only in new residences. Favorable consideration will be given to applicants who require compliant carbon monoxide detectors in a new or existing educational facility, childcare facility, health care facility, adult dependent care facility, government building, restaurant, theater, lodging establishment, or dwelling unit and that have developed a strategy to protect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or low-income households, from exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Please, see below for more information.

Per the NZB Act, section 204: “ELIGIBILITY.—For the purposes of this section, an eligible State or Tribal organization is any State or Tribal organization that— (1) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that the State or Tribal organization has adopted a statute or a rule, regulation, or similar measure with the force and effect of law, requiring compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units in accordance with NFPA 72, the IFC, or the IRC.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090(b)(1).

“SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.—In selecting eligible States and Tribal organizations for the award of grants under this section, the Commission shall give favorable consideration to an eligible State or Tribal organization that demonstrates a reasonable need for funding under this section and that— (1) requires the installation of one or more compliant carbon monoxide alarms in a new or existing educational facility, childcare facility, health care facility, adult dependent care facility, government building, restaurant, theater, lodging establishment, or dwelling unit— (A) within which a fuel-burning appliance, including a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace, or any other apparatus, appliance, or device that burns fuel, is installed; or (B) that has an attached garage; and (2) has developed a strategy to protect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or low-income households, from exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090(d).

Non-profits are not eligible to apply but may provide assistance under the grant, for instance as a subcontractor. Eligible applicants include a State, political subdivision of a State or a Tribal Organization. Please see below for more information.

• State - the 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Wake Island, Midway Island, Kingman Reef, Johnston Island, the Canal Zone, American Samoa, or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and includes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
• Local Governments - any political subdivision of a State, which may include a county, municipality, city, town, township, local public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments, or any agency or instrumentality of a local government.
• Tribal Organization - “Tribal organization” or “tribal organization” means the recognized governing body of any Indian tribe; any legally established organization of Indians which is controlled, sanctioned, or chartered by such governing body or which is democratically elected by the adult members of the Indian community to be served by such organization and which includes the maximum participation of Indians in all phases of its activities: Provided, That in any case where a contract is let or grant made to an organization to perform services benefiting more than one Indian tribe, the approval of each such Indian tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting or making of such contract or grant (25 U.S.C. 5304(l)).

More information on this topic is included in section 3 of the FOA.

No, there is no requirement for which houses can receive alarms. Favorable consideration will be given to applicants who require compliant carbon monoxide detectors in a new or existing educational facility, childcare facility, health care facility, adult dependent care facility, government building, restaurant, theater, lodging establishment, or dwelling unit and that have developed a strategy to protect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or low-income households, from exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide. Please see below for more information.

Per the NZB Act, section 204:

“SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS.—In selecting eligible States and Tribal organizations for the award of grants under this section, the Commission shall give favorable consideration to an eligible State or Tribal organization that demonstrates a reasonable need for funding under this section and that— (1) requires the installation of one or more compliant carbon monoxide alarms in a new or existing educational facility, childcare facility, health care facility, adult dependent care facility, government building, restaurant, theater, lodging establishment, or dwelling unit— (A) within which a fuel-burning appliance, including a furnace, boiler, water heater, fireplace, or any other apparatus, appliance, or device that burns fuel, is installed; or (B) that has an attached garage; and (2) has developed a strategy to protect vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or low-income households, from exposure to unhealthy levels of carbon monoxide.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090(d).

Compliant carbon monoxide detectors must be installed as part of the grant program. Purchase and installation of compliant carbon monoxide detectors is an allowable activity. Distribution alone is not sufficient, and installation must be verified.

Combination smoke/CO detectors are eligible for funding if they are UL 2034/UL 2075 compliant. The NZB Act, section 204 allows funding for “compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units in accordance with NFPA 72, the IFC, or the IRC….” 15 U.S.C. § 2090(b)(1). Per the NZB Act, “The term ‘‘compliant carbon monoxide alarm’’ means a carbon monoxide alarm that complies with the most current version of— (A) the Standard for Single and Multiple Station Carbon Monoxide Alarms of the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL 2034), or any successor standard; and (B) the Standard for Gas and Vapor Detectors and Sensors of the American National Standards Institute and UL (ANSI/UL 2075), or any successor standard.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090 note.

When requesting funding for a combination alarm, keep in mind that, per the FOA, all grant applications will be evaluated based on the need for, and appropriateness of, costs associated with the requested activities, among other factors. Also, note that funds can only be used for purposes consistent with activities described under section 1.1. of the FOA. Costs must be reasonable and conform to the requirements under 2 CFR part 200 Uniform Administrative Requirements and Audit Requirements for Federal Grants.

No, these are two separate requirements. The eligibility requirements include a compliant carbon monoxide alarm. The requirement for one of the installation codes (i.e., NFPA 72, the IFC and or the IRC) is separate and must be satisfied to be eligible. Please, see below for more information.

Per the NZB Act: Section 204:

“For the purposes of this section, an eligible State or Tribal organization is any State or Tribal organization that— (1) demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Commission that the State or Tribal organization has adopted a statute or a rule, regulation, or similar measure with the force and effect of law, requiring compliant carbon monoxide alarms to be installed in dwelling units in accordance with NFPA 72, the IFC, or the IRC.” 15 U.S.C. § 2090(b)(1).

No, the 25% limit for public outreach/ education applies to any application which includes that activity along with another activity (or all three).

No.

Yes, the CPSC expects to see this information in progress reports. All grant recipients are required to report progress (PPRs - performance progress reports) - this is a metric for this grant program. Metrics (such as the number and placement of compliant carbon monoxide detectors) are used to gauge the success of the grant program. Progress reporting is included in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (“FOA”).

While it is not a requirement, if an alarm installed under this grant saved an occupant from carbon monoxide poisoning, please include it in the progress reports (or by email). This would be very important information for assessing success of the grant program.

Generally, no. Other federal funding may not be used for cost share purposes unless permitted by the law applying to that other federal funding. If permitted, documentation from the Grantor of the other federal funds will be required to demonstrate that those funds can be used as cost share for a separate federal award. Please review 2 CFR 200.306 for additional information on cost share.