What are the priorities for awarding applications for thermal imager cameras now that there are no limitations on the number of units that can be requested?
There are no specific criteria for awarding thermal imaging cameras (TICs). TICs will be evaluated in the same manner as any other piece of equipment in the equipment activity. The following evaluation criteria priorities are used for the equipment activity:
- Effectiveness of the request to address basic firefighting missions.
- Frequency of use.
- Effect on firefighters' health and safety.
- Equipment that promotes interoperability with neighboring jurisdictions.
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What is the policy for reporting to NFIRS (National Fire Incident Reporting System) for fire departments or EMS organizations who apply as regional applicants?
As the official grantee, only the regional host is responsible for adhering to any and all grant requirements. However, we strongly encourage any fire department participants to report incident data to NFIRS during the period of performance.
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We would like to remodel the chief's office and the reception area in our fire station. Can we use grant funds for remodeling?
No. Grant funds may be used for remodeling, but only if the remodeling is relative to other grant activities and has a direct impact on the accomplishment of the grant activities. For example, we will allow for remodeling of a room in a station to accommodate training if training is also a grant activity.
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I want to buy radio equipment that all of my neighboring departments use, and there is only one vendor that sells those radios. Do I have to seek other bids or may I use the vendor as a sole source?
Sole-source and interoperability are justifications for selection of a vendor but CANNOT be used as justification to avoid obtaining other bids from other sources. You must seek to ensure that "all procurement actions are conducted in a manner that provides, to the maximum extent possible, open and free competition," and document your choice of vendors in your grant files. Refer to the "Grantee Responsibilities" Section, item (5), on page 41 of the Program Guidance.
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Is there a penalty for returning funds or excess funds?
No there is no penalty for returning funds. However, it is our preference that grantees expend all awarded funds on eligible expenditures, including fire prevention activities.
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Are organizations or agencies normally considered ineligible for an AFG grant, eligible to be included as a beneficiary of a regional application?
Yes. Law enforcement, public works, or the local emergency management offices could be beneficiaries of Assistance to Firefighters grants. For example, local law enforcement could be users of a new dispatch system funded by the grant program or the emergency management staff could be issued radios by the grantee in order to foster interoperability.
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If I decline an award, will that be held against me in the event that I apply for future funding?
An applicant that declines to accept a grant during negotiation would not be penalized for declining the award. However, we would consider a grantee to be a poor performer if they accepted an award and subsequently returned that award because they cannot fulfill the grant requirements. This does not mean that the poor performing grantees would be precluded from applying for future assistance; it merely means that past performance would be taken into account prior to awarding any new grants. Prior performance has always been a consideration for funding.
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Is there any difference in qualifying for a vehicle award this year with respect to training?
Yes. If you request a vehicle, you must certify that personnel who will drive and operate the requested vehicle meet or exceed the national standards for drivers/operators (fire vehicles NFPA 1002, EMS DOT or KKK standards). This training may be accomplished via an established in-house training program or with grant funds added to the vehicle request. If you do not have an established driver/operator training program and are not requesting training funds in your vehicle application to provide driver/operator training, your request will not be eligible for funding.
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I'm planning to submit an application as a host for a regional project. When I answer the questions in the Department Characteristics section of the online application, do I use the statistics for the entire region that will be affected by the project, or do I use my department's local statistics?
In 2005, when applying as a host for a regional project, you provided your department's statistics when responding to the Department Characteristics questions, but in 2006 you will provide the statistics for the entire region.
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I'm applying as the host for a regional project, but I also need some equipment for my own department. Can I submit a second application for my own department's needs?
No. In 2005 the host applicant could ask for equipment that it needed internally, but in 2006 the only activities that may be requested on a regional application are those that are specifically related to the regional project.
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It has been the AFG policy to allow up to 50 percent of the grant funds to be used for a down payment. Has that changed for this year's program?
Yes. To encourage better cash management practices, grantees may only request 25 percent for down payments.
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I've noticed several vendors that claim their product is "FEMA Fire Act Approved." Do you have a list of products that are "Approved?"
No. The Federal government (FEMA, ODP, G&T, or DHS) does not approve, endorse, promote, sanction or otherwise support any specific products or services and purchasers should be wary of any vendor that makes such claims. For the AFG program, we require that any product or service purchased with grant funds comply with applicable national standards.
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Is there any difference in qualifying for a vehicle award this year with respect to training?
Yes. If you request a vehicle, you must certify that personnel who will drive and operate the requested vehicle meet or exceed the national standards for drivers/operators (fire vehicles NFPA 1002, EMS DOT or KKK standards). This training may be accomplished via an established in-house training program or with grant funds added to the vehicle request. If you do not have an established program and are not requesting training fund with your application, your grant will be ineligible for funding and disqualified.
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Performance bonds are a new requirement in 2006 for vehicle grants. What are performance bonds and where can I get one?
A performance bond is like an insurance policy that protects you in the event that the manufacturer that you contracted with to build your vehicle cannot fulfill the contract, i.e., cannot finish building your vehicle for any reason. A performance bond is a financial tool used to guarantee that in the event of manufacturer/contractor default, funds will be available to finish the construction of your vehicle and ensure its proper operation. From the vehicle grantee’s point of view, the insolvency of a contractor during the construction of a vehicle will most likely result in delayed completion of the vehicle, additional expenses for a different manufacturer/contractor to finish the work, or even loss of grant funds. For this reason, we will now require manufacturers/contractors to provide a bond from an independent bank, insurance company or bonding agency so that the vehicle grantees can recover damages they may sustain if the manufacturer/contractor's default during the construction of a vehicle. The amount of the bond should be equal to, or greater than, the contract amount of the vehicle.
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