COVID-19 Mitigation Project for Georgia’s K-12 Schools

What will be required of the schools or school districts that choose to participate in the COVID-19 Mitigation Project?

We ask that the schools continue to focus on the detection and prevention of COVID-19 according to recommendations by the CDC and DPH. To be eligible to participate in the COVID-19 Mitigation Project, the school or school district must identify a point of contact for project participation, and must submit required documentation in a timely manner after the receipt of the products. The school will work with the Georgia Southern team to identify appropriate mitigation items to purchase for COVID-19.

Is this mandatory for school districts/schools?

No, this is an opt-in program for school districts/schools.

Are schools required to sign an agreement of any sort with DPH for testing?

Testing is no longer required in order to receive COVID-19 mitigation items through this project. However, if you are interested in testing you may reach out to DPH directly by email.

What documentation will be required of schools in reference to testing?

No testing documentation is required.

My school is interested in receiving free, over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits from DPH. Who do I contact about this program?

You can email the following covid-k12-testing@dph.ga.gov: (1) Name of Educational Entity (name of school district or school if not a public school district), (2) Primary Contact (First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone Number), (3) All schools must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with DPH in order to receive test kits. This is not a requirement to receive mitigation products.

Will there be a required amount of COVID-19 tests that need to be performed or sent home to participate?

No. DPH does not require a certain volume of COVID-19 tests.

Will schools be required to have COVID-19 testing in order to participate in the Mitigation Project?

No. The school or school district does not need to offer any type of testing for COVID-19 in order to participate in the mitigation project.

Will schools be required to pay for the OTC COVID tests?

No, DPH will provide OTC COVID-19 tests for participating schools, free of charge, if they are requested.

We have already enrolled in the DPH Testing Program (ELC), but we are now interested in obtaining items through the K-12 COVID-19 Mitigation Project. Who do we contact?

Please complete the IHLA enrollment survey above. You can also reach out to us at ihla@georgiasouthern.edu. IHLA will gather additional information and discuss your COVID-19 mitigation needs with you.

When will we know if we have been accepted into the mitigation project with GS?

A member of the IHLA will reach out to you when the enrollment form is received to discuss the next steps.

What is the timeline of availability of this project?

We will begin supporting schools as soon as possible. At this time, our ELC Reopening Schools funding will end in July 2023 so we have to make purchases prior to that time.

Our school district has chosen to not enroll, but our school would like to enroll – is this acceptable?

Yes, you may still participate in the ELC program and the COVID-19 mitigation project if your district allows the school to participate individually.

Are the funds given as a grant, or do we turn in our purchase orders to you, or do we buy and submit for reimbursement?

IHLA will work with you to prepare a product quote for each school. Once we have your approval of the purchase list, our office will handle the entire purchasing process and relay delivery information to you. This is not a reimbursement program as we handle all of the purchasing directly.

What is the time frame in which we have to spend the funds?

We encourage schools to use this money quickly, so that we can determine if another round of funding is available.

Can we purchase more COVID-19 test kits with the funds?

No, IHLA funds are not to be used for COVID-19 test kit purchasing. These can come for free from DPH.

Can supplies be shipped directly to the individual schools within our district?

We can ship to either the district or the school. It is up to you. Please indicate your preference on the project enrollment form.

Are we able to purchase hand soap?

Yes. Hand soap, soap dispensers, sanitation pole stations, and sanitizer refills are all allowable purchases.

Can we purchase higher quality HVAC filters for the pre-existing units in our buildings?

Air quality improvement is a top priority. If you have specific requests beyond HEPA units, we may need to discuss this project further to ensure it is allowable.

We already purchased some gloves, can we purchase additional gloves or PPE, is that considered supplanting?

The non-supplant provision just means you are not purchasing items that are a part of normal operations. If you purchased 10 boxes of gloves in 2018 (i.e. pre-COVID-19) and in 2022 you want to purchase 200 boxes, 190 boxes are considered allowable.

Can we see the list of available items we may purchase through the project?

There is not a specific list of items. The focus is on air quality improvement so much of the funding may be used to provide HEPA units for your spaces. Remaining funds may be used for cleaning, sanitization, and PPE needs. We don’t endorse any particular products, but we try to work with our vendors to get the products you request as long as it’s allowable under the grant program.

Will the schools that are participating be contacted to order items?

We will contact the schools prior to ordering the items to ensure you are receiving what you want. The school will not have to order the items. IHLA will handle all ordering and shipping.

How soon will orders be placed?

The IHLA team will work with schools as quickly as possible to get items identified and orders placed once enrollment is complete. IHLA will be reaching out to schools in the order the enrollment form is received.

What items are allowed to be purchased under the COVID-19 Mitigation Project?

• Acquirable categories include the following:
• High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) fan/filtration systems or other smaller items that may allow for improved air circulation and appropriate air filters (e.g. MERV filters)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (e.g., masks, gloves, gowns)
• Hand hygiene and disinfecting/cleaning supplies
• Please see the most current CDC guidance for details (Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools)

What is the average size of the HEPA units we will receive?

The HEPA unit size is based on the room size and occupancy numbers that the HEPA unit needs to accommodate. You can be involved in the unit selection process so that the units purchased are acceptable to your school.

What is the average cost of HEPA filters?

The HEPA filter cost will be determined by the unit that is chosen. The IHLA team can discuss the prices upon product consultation, so you are aware of any future costs.

How many HEPA units will be given for enrollment of a school system?

The IHLA team will work with your facility to provide as much support within the funds allocated. If additional funds are available after the first round of mitigation, DPH will work with GS to make additional support available to schools.

Do filter replacements qualify under this project funding?

Yes, we can help with filter replacements if they are supplied by a vendor we currently work with on this project.

Are the hand soap dispensers ordered directly from you?

The IHLA team will order items from vendors and have the items shipped to your school. However, if you have a specific brand or product you prefer, we will try to work with you to ship the items that work best for you. This is not a guarantee that you will receive the preferred item in all circumstances. Items selected may be subject to availability given supply chain shortages

Are items like sanitizing wipes or thermometers available under this program?

Yes, we will be as inclusive as possible. However, the IHLA team will have to ensure the products follow CDC guidelines and fit the categories for the acquirable items set forth by DPH.

Are laptop computers on the list of approved items?

As of right now, this product is not a key area of focus under this project.

Are Stop the Bleed Kits included?

Stop the Bleed Kits are offered through a separate program. Please e-mail covid-k12-testing@dph.ga.gov to find out more information and get routed to the appropriate public health district for assistance.

Is there a non-supplant provision under the Mitigation Project?

Yes. Funds made available under this project shall be used to provide schools with products associated with COVID-19 mitigation activities, not to provide products associated with normal operations. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic baseline usages can be used for documentation and comparison.

Are cleaning supplies allowable expenses under the Mitigation Project?

Yes, but please use your judgment as to whether the request is reasonable. The amount purchased is still subject to the non-supplant provision that does not permit the use of funds for normal operational costs. The bulk of your funds should not go to cleaning supplies. Pre-COVID-19 pandemic baseline usages can be used for documentation and comparison.