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Most integrators, installers, and contractors doing work for federal or state agencies are likely already aware of the CARES Act and the relief funds made available during the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’re familiar or not, this overview will demystify how these funds work, the terminology used, and how you can provide solutions to your customers with these funds. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

In March 2020, the United States Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide various forms of monetary relief for states, businesses, and individuals to assist with the impacts of the national shutdown due to COVID-19. Subsequently, two additional acts were passed to further assist and better address the continuation of the pandemic – the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations (CRRSA) Act in December 2020, and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act in March 2021. Each act escalated the relief funds available, as well as extended the expiration of funds.

These COVID relief acts created a variety of programs, with over $260 billion dollars allocated to the education market. For K-12, the vast majority of the money flows through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund for the use of public schools, while non-public schools have access to the Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS). Post-secondary institutions such as colleges and universities have access to the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF).

While the funds are intended for a very broad range of uses, such as nutrition programs, educational technology, cleaning supplies, and mental health, there is also an inclusion for school facilities repairs and improvements that can mitigate the risk of virus transmission and reduce health hazards. This is specifically addressed in the ESSER funding as well as has been incorporated into the allowances for HEERF. These allowable uses apply to all three congressional acts. Physical security, both electronic and mechanical, can contribute in different ways to mitigate health hazards. Ranging from product solutions that directly reduce transmission of a hazard to system solutions that create an overall healthier and safer environment for learning.

At this point, all funds have been transferred from the federal government to the state governments for use on qualified expenditures, and each school district and higher education institution has received an allocation. The process for approval of expenditures can vary from state to state, so it’s important for an institution to review the guidelines published by their state education agency. It is likely that the plan for use of funds by expenditure type has already been established at a high level with physical security either being its own bucket or incorporated into bigger buckets of operations, upgrade renovations, or new construction.

Each state receiving these funds has some leeway to determine what types of expenditures could qualify as compliant expenditures. As such, there is no single national standard for what types of physical security products and services may qualify and we do see variation around the country. It is recommended to have a security and entrances industry consultant conduct a site survey assessment of the facilities to determine what enhancements could be made. With that assessment, a project plan can be created to address the needs with an estimated budget. Follow the process established by an agency and/or state for request of COVID Relief Act funds to determine which elements of the plan can qualify. If qualified, the availability of remaining funds for security upgrades will determine the funded amount.

There are three physical security product solution types that we have seen qualify for ESSER and/or HEERF funding to date. These are touch-free automatic opening entrances, card access control utilizing either physical card or mobile credential, and microbial resistant finishes for door hardware.
Touch-free entrances most directly meet the requirement for reducing the transmission of a virus or health hazard. For any health hazard that can be spread via touch, reducing the touchpoints in a building can help mitigate the spread. Combining an automatic operator (dormakaba’s ED Series) with a touchless actuator (RCI’s 910TC) and electrified locking device (dormakaba or BEST) can convert most doors into a touch-free entrance. For added security, a card access control system such as dormakaba’s Keyscan solution can be incorporated. In a prior blog, we discuss the dormakaba RCI 910TC touchless actuator in detail.

For more information on dormakaba solutions and how we can help you help your customers please reach out to your local dormakaba sales rep.