FY25 COPS Blue Alert Program | O COPS 2025 172383

FY25 COPS Blue Alert Program FAQs

What is the FY25 COPS Blue Alert Program?

The FY25 COPS Blue Alert Program is a U.S. Department of Justice funding opportunity administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). Its purpose is to strengthen and promote the National Blue Alert Network, a voluntary nationwide alert system focused on threats to law enforcement and the rapid sharing of information during qualifying incidents.

Which federal agency is offering and administering this opportunity?

This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Justice and administered by the COPS Office (Office of Community Oriented Policing Services).

What law created the foundation for the National Blue Alert Network?

The program traces back to the Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu National Blue Alert Act of 2015. The act was passed after two New York City police officers were killed in an ambush in 2014 and directed DOJ to create a voluntary nationwide alert system tied to Blue Alert objectives.

What are the core purposes of the Blue Alert system described in the notice?

The system is described as supporting three main purposes:

• Providing early warning of threats against law enforcement.
• Helping locate and apprehend suspects who have killed or seriously injured an officer or deputy.
• Helping find an officer who is missing in connection with official duties.

When did DOJ implement the act by establishing the National Blue Alert Network?

The COPS Office implemented the act in 2016 by establishing the National Blue Alert Network.

What type of funding mechanism is this award?

Funding is offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement. This means the federal government expects to have substantial involvement in the funded work, such as coordination, oversight, or collaboration.

How many awards does the notice anticipate?

The notice anticipates a single award.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $150,000.

What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 16.710 and falls within the Law, Justice, and Legal Services activity category.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is O-COPS-2025-172383.

What is the application deadline?

Applications are due by June 24, 2025 (original closing date).

What are the main objectives or work areas supported by this cooperative agreement?

The work centers on four main objectives:

1. Supporting states that already participate in the National Blue Alert Network (including helping maintain or improve their ability to issue alerts and share information quickly).
2. Conducting outreach to states that are not currently participating to raise awareness and provide practical education about the Blue Alert system.
3. Producing monthly summaries of Blue Alert activations nationwide, including detailed accounts of heroism tied to Blue Alert events.
4. Conducting research and information gathering to compile accurate and timely details from credible sources on all reported incidents where on-duty law enforcement officers across the U.S., territories, and tribal lands are shot in the line of duty.

What kinds of outreach products does the notice specifically mention?

The NOFO mentions outreach products such as an educational video, fact sheets, newsletters, and presentations. This implies the awardee should be able to create clear materials for the public and stakeholders and distribute them effectively.

What does the program require regarding Blue Alert activation reporting?

The awardee is expected to produce monthly summaries of Blue Alert activations across the country, including detailed accounts of heroism connected to Blue Alert events. This implies ongoing collection, verification, and narrative reporting throughout the project period.

What does the program require regarding documentation of officers shot in the line of duty?

The program calls for research and information gathering to compile accurate and timely details from credible sources on all reported incidents in which on-duty law enforcement officers across the United States, territories, and tribal lands are shot in the line of duty, emphasizing careful documentation, quality control, and nationwide scope.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is broad and includes:

• Public governmental agencies
• For-profit (commercial) organizations
• Nonprofit organizations
• Institutions of higher education
• Community groups
• Faith-based organizations

Are for-profit organizations allowed to earn a profit or management fee under this award?

No. For-profit recipients must forgo any profit or management fee. The budget should reflect direct allowable costs rather than embedded profit.

Are partnerships allowed, and how must they be structured in the application?

Partnerships are allowed, but the COPS Office requires a single applicant to serve as the primary recipient. The primary recipient has overall responsibility for administering the funds, managing the full project, and monitoring compliance.

If multiple organizations will help carry out the work, how should they be included?

If multiple organizations will help carry out the project, they must be identified as subrecipients under the application. The award terms and conditions will apply to them as well.

How does the notice distinguish between a subaward and a contract?

The NOFO highlights the importance of distinguishing between subawards (financial assistance relationships where an entity carries out part of the project) and contracts (procurement of goods and services). Applicants are pointed to 2 C.F.R. 200.331 for guidance on how to make that determination.

What role will the federal government play during the project?

Because this is a cooperative agreement, the federal government expects substantial involvement in the funded work. The notice describes examples such as coordination, oversight, or collaboration.

How should applicants frame their proposals in terms of community policing?

The document frames community policing as "common sense policing" and uses those terms interchangeably. Proposals should be written with that lens while staying tightly focused on Blue Alert Network support, awareness-building, and national incident/activation reporting.

Do broader federal priorities affect how awards will be aligned?

Yes. The solicitation notes that awards will align with applicable Executive Orders and Attorney General memoranda tied to the broader federal priority of reestablishing law and order.

What broader priorities are mentioned in the notice?

The NOFO language references priorities including hiring and retention of sworn officers, collaboration with federal task forces, addressing open illegal drug use, disrupting fentanyl and other drug distribution, preventing crime, nuisance abatement, countering human trafficking and child smuggling, and enhanced immigration enforcement and border security.

Is funding guaranteed once an application is submitted?

No. The solicitation emphasizes that funding depends on appropriations and may be subject to legal or policy changes.