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Never Forget 343
Gave It All On
 9-11-2001

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Assistance to Firefighter Grant Program (AFGP)

  • Click here to see some sample answers that could be used to these questions.
  • Click here to see questions for the Modification to Facilities questions.
  • Click here to see a COST REDUCTION email that is a followup to the questions.
  • Click here to see what the Direct Deposit Sign-up Form - 1199a
  • Click here to see screen shots of how to locate your 1199a form if this is NOT your first time getting an award.
  • Click here to see Implementation Policy on SCBA Certified to the 2007 Edition of NFPA 1981
From: ???@dhs.gov
To: XXXXXX
Sent:
Subject: 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Standard Questionnaire
Importance: High

Dear FY 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program Applicant:
 
I am the Grants Management Specialist/Program Support Assistant from the DHS' Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate's Grant Office/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grants Office, assigned to review your FY 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application.  This is not a notification of award; it is only a preliminary discussion of your application.  A panel of your peers favorably reviewed your application and I have a few matters to discuss/verify with you prior to further processing your application.
 
1)  If you are selected for a grant award, would you accept?
 
2a)  If you are selected for a grant award, can your department meet the required cost-share?
 
2b)  How are you planning to meet the required cost-share?
 
3)  If you are selected for an award, do you understand that the funds can only cover expenses for one year and that you have to spend the funding within one year of your grant award date?
 
4).  If you are selected, do you understand that your department will be required to report to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for one year commencing at your earliest convenience during the performance period of the grant?  Nonaffiliated EMS organizations do not have to comply with the NFIRS reporting requirement.
 
* If you need assistance reporting to NFIRS, you may call the support center toll free number 1-888-382-3827.
 
5)  Did you have any pre-award costs including the use of a grant writer? 
 
* If you used a grant writer, please fax a copy of the bank statement and canceled check (front and back) that was paid to the grant writer to FAX # 703-605-1197, to the attention of the Grants Management Specialist who contacted you.  Please include the following information:  Grant # EMW-2006-FG-XXXX; FD name, city and State, and your name.
 
6)  Do you have any changes to your point of contacts, phone numbers, or email addresses listed in your application?
 
* If the primary point of contact has a new email address, please follow the instructions below:
 
Using the same user name and id when you applied for the grant, log into https://portal.fema.gov.  Once you are into the Status screen, you will select Edit Profile located in the top of the screen.  Your next screen will reveal your personal information where you will see your current email address listed.  Once you have edited the email address you will click on the Save button.  You will then receive a confirmation screen that your profile has been updated but you are NOT finished – you must click near the top left Authorized Applications.  You will then click on Firefighters Grant link near the top left to ensure that all updated profile information is transferred through the system.
 
7a)  Do you have any changes to your DUNS number, EIN number or your banking information listed in your application?
 
7b)  Have you verified that the EIN submitted (pull EIN from system) is correct?
 
7c)  Are you sharing an EIN# with your city and/or county?  If so, please name the parent entity.
 
7d)  Do you have authorization to use this EIN#? 
 
8a)  Have you previously received a FEMA/DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant?
 
If you responded yes, please indicate what year(s) you were awarded, a brief summary of what items were purchased, a current status on the awarded grant(s) and the dates of their POP (Periods of Performance).
 
* * * Performance on prior awards is taken into consideration when processing new applications.  Closing out overdue AFG grants may facilitate further processing of your FY 2007 application.* * *
 
8b)  Have you received any other Federal funding this fiscal year?
 
If you responded yes, please indicate the name of the agency that awarded you federal funding and a brief summary of the items that were awarded.
 
9a)  VEHICLE Applicants only:  Do you understand that vehicle awardees will be required to include a Performance Bond as part of the contract with the vehicle manufacturer. 
 
**Extensions to a grant's period of performance may not be considered if a Performance Bond is not included in the purchase contract**

9b)  Do you certify that you currently have a comprehensive driver/operator training program (compliant with NFPA 1002) already in place or, if you do not have a comprehensive driver/operator training program and you are awarded a grant, do you certify that your Department will have a program in place within one year of the award?

9c)  If awarded, will you permanently remove the substandard vehicle you are replacing from service?

10)  COMPLETE SET OF TURNOUT GEAR Applicants only:  Include an itemized cost breakdown of what makes up a “complete” set of gear in your reply.

Again, this is not a notification of award; it is only a preliminary discussion of your application.  Once I complete my review, and receive your favorable reply to this message, I will forward your application on to the next phase.  If your department is selected you will be notified by e-mail through our on-line grants system.  In that email, you will be directed to a website to print the award forms and other pertinent information.
 
[NOTE:  THIS IS A MASS EMAIL.  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME, STATE AND APPLICATION NUMBER IN YOUR REPLY (EMW-2007-FO-XXXXX).]
 

Grants Management Specialist
DHS/FEMA
500 C Street SW, Room 334
Washington DC 20472

?????????@dhs.gov
 


Sample Answers That Could Be Used To These Questions.



1. If you are selected for a grant award, would you accept?
Yes

2a) If you are selected for a grant award, can your department meet the required cost-share?
Yes

2b) How are you planning to meet the required cost-share?
The City has the funds set aside already.
The City will be collecting the remainder of the funds over the next few weeks.


3. If you are selected for an award, do you understand that the funds can only cover expenses for one year and that you have to spend the funding within one year of your grant award date?
Yes


4. If you are selected, do you understand that your department will be required to report to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for one year commencing at your earliest convenience during the performance period of the grant? Nonaffiliated EMS organizations do not have to comply with the NFIRS reporting requirement.
Yes
We have been reporting to our State Fire Marshall through our Minnesota Fire Incident Reporting System (MFIRS) for years and will continue reporting.
* If you need assistance reporting to NFIRS you may call the support center toll free number 1-888-382-3827.

5. Did you have any pre-award costs including the use of a grant writer?
* If you used a grant writer, please fax a copy of the bank statement and canceled check (front and back) that was paid to the grant writer to FAX # 703-605-1197, to the attention of the Grants Management Specialist who contacted you.  Please include the following information:  Grant # EMW-2006-FG-XXXX; FD name, city and State, and your name.

Yes - Grant writer was paid several weeks ago.
No - We did not use a grant writer and have no pre-award costs.


6. Do you have any changes to your point of contacts, phone numbers, or email addresses listed in your application?
* If the primary point of contact has a new email address, please follow the instructions below:
Using the same user name and id when you applied for the grant, log into https://portal.fema.gov.  Once you are into the Status screen, you will select Edit Profile located in the top of the screen.  Your next screen will reveal your personal information where you will see your current email address listed.  Once you have edited the email address you will click on the Save button.  You will then receive a confirmation screen that your profile has been updated but you are NOT finished – you must click near the top left Authorized Applications.  You will then click on Firefighters Grant link near the top left to ensure that all updated profile information is transferred through the system.
Yes - We have updated our profile page in our application online.
No - All information is still correct.


7a. Do you have any changes to your DUNS number, EIN number or your banking information listed in your application?
No

7b)  Have you verified that the EIN submitted (pull EIN from system) is correct?
Yes 

7c)  Are you sharing an EIN# with your city and/or county?  If so, please name the parent entity.
Yes 
The EIN# is the number for our city.

7d)  Do you have authorization to use this EIN#? 
Yes 

8a) Have you previously received a FEMA/DHS Assistance to Firefighters Grant?
No

Yes

If you responded yes, please indicate what year(s) you were awarded, a brief summary of what items were purchased, a current status on the awarded grant(s) and their POP (Period of Performance) date.
2002 - Vehicle, 1250 Pumper  - Closed out  Jan 2003
2003 - Operations and safety, 20 SCBA and 20 spare cylinders.  Closed out Feb 2004
2005 - Operations and safety, 20 complete sets of turnout gear.  Closed out Aug 2006

8b) Have you received any other federal funding this fiscal year? Yes or No
No

Yes

If you responded yes, please indicate the name of the agency that awarded you federal funding and a brief summary of the items that were awarded.
County Emergency Manager gave us $2,000.00 for haz mat training and decon equipment.
County Emergency Manager gave us $8,000.00 for radio equipment.
Minn Dept of Natural Resources (DNR) gave us $1,000.00 for a 50/50 matching grant for two portable radios.

 
9a)  VEHICLE Applicants only:  Do you understand that vehicle awardees will be required to include a Performance Bond as part of the contract with the vehicle manufacturer. 
 
**Extensions to a grant's period of performance may not be considered if a Performance Bond is not included in the purchase contract**

Yes
Our city requires a performance bond


9b)  Do you certify that you currently have a comprehensive driver/operator training program (compliant with NFPA 1002) already in place or, if you do not have a comprehensive driver/operator training program and you are awarded a grant, do you certify that your Department will have a program in place within one year of the award?

Yes
We requested funds for a NFPA 1002 comprehensive program.

Editors Note:  If you answer NO to this question you will most likely loose the award.  This question was also asked in your application so you should have similar answers.

9c)  If awarded, will you permanently remove the substandard vehicle you are replacing from service?

Yes
We will remove the old vehicle from service.

NO
We are not replacing a substandard vehicle.

Editors Note:  If you answer NO to this question you will most likely loose the award.  This question was also asked in your application so you should have similar answers.

10)  COMPLETE SET OF TURNOUT GEAR Applicants only:  Include an itemized cost breakdown of what makes up a “complete” set of gear in your reply.

Purchase 24 sets Turnout Gear
$1,870 ea. x 24 sets = $44,880.00

Helmet = 250.00
Hood = 30.00
Coat = 600.00
Pants = 500.00
Boots = 290.00
Gloves = 40.00
Flashlight = 120.00
Goggles = 40.00


Again, this is not a notification of award; it is only a preliminary discussion of your application.  Once I complete my review, and receive your favorable reply to this message, I will forward your application on to the next phase.  If your department is selected you will be notified by e-mail through our on-line grants system.  In that email, you will be directed to a website to print the award forms and other pertinent information.
 
[NOTE:  THIS IS A MASS EMAIL.  PLEASE INDICATE YOUR ORGANIZATION'S NAME, STATE AND APPLICATION NUMBER IN YOUR REPLY (EMW-2006-FG-XXXXX).]
 

Grants Management Specialist
Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW, Room 334
Washington DC 20472
703.605.0704
?????????@dhs.gov


The Modification to Facilities Email


From: afg@dhs.gov
To:
Sent:
Subject: FEMA MOD Questions: XXXXX Fire Department, Minnesota:
EMW-2007-FG-XXXXX

Dear Mr. XXXXX  XXXXX:

I am the Grants Management Specialist from the Department of Homeland

Security's (DHS) Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate's Grants Office, assigned to review your FY 2006 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application. This email message is not a notification of award; it is only a
preliminary discussion of your application. A panel of your peers favorably reviewed your application and I have a few matters to discuss/verify with you prior to further processing of your application:


1. If you are selected for a grant award, would you accept?

2a) If you are selected for a grant award, can your department meet the required cost-share?

2b) How are you planning to meet the required cost-share?

3. If you are selected for an award, do you understand that the funds can only cover expenses for one year and that you have to spend the funding within one year of your grant award date?

4. If you are selected, do you understand that your department will be required to report to National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for one year commencing at your earliest convenience during the performance
period of the grant? Nonaffiliated EMS organizations do not have to comply with the NFIRS reporting requirement.

* If you need assistance reporting to NFIRS you may call the support center toll free number 1-888-382-3827.

5. Did you have any pre-award costs including the use of a grant writer?

6. Do you have any changes to your point of contacts, phone numbers, or email addresses listed in your application?

* If you have a new email address, please follow the instructions below:

Using the same user name and id when you applied for the grant, log into https://portal.fema.gov Once you are into the Status screen, you will select Edit Profile located in the top of the screen. Your next screen will reveal your personal information where you will see your current email address listed. Once you have edited the email address you will click on the Save button. You will then receive a confirmation screen that your profile has been updated but you are not finished. Then you will click near the top left Authorized Applications. You will then click on Firefighters Grant link near the top left to ensure that all updated profile information is transferred through the system.

7a). Do you have any changes to your DUNS number, EIN number or your banking information listed in your application?

7b). Have you verified that the EIN submitted (41-XXXXXXX) is correct?

7c). Are you sharing an EIN# with your city and/or county? If so, please name the parent entity.

7d). Do you have authorization to use this EIN#? Yes or No


8a) Have you previously received a DHS Assistance to Firefighters grant?
Yes ______ No ______


If you responded yes, please indicate what year(s) you were awarded, a brief summary of what items were purchased, a current status on the awarded grant(s) and their POP (Period of Performance) date.


If you have not closed out your grant, please follow the instructions below:

1. Go to www.firegrantsupport.com , click on e-grant application. Enter your username and password.

2. If you cannot remember your username and password, please call 1-877-611-4700 (have your grant number, mothers maiden name, and date of birth ready).

3. Go to the ACTION drop down arrow and select CLOSEOUT GRANT and click GO.

4. Complete the reports and submit.


* * * Closing out overdue AFG grants will facilitate further processing of your FY 2005 application.* * *


8b) Have you received any other federal funding this fiscal year?
Yes ______ No ______

If you responded yes, please indicate the name of the agency that awarded you federal funding and a brief summary of the items that were awarded.

Modification Section with several questions, please read all of the following information:


MODIFICATIONS TO FIRE STATIONS AND FIRE FACILITIES

Your application includes a request for funding under the "Modifications to Fire Stations and Fire Facilities" activity. DHS is required to know how the proposed modifications to your facility will conform with Historic Preservation and the Flood Plain Management requirements. The responses to these questions must be received before DHS can complete its review of your application. Failure to respond to the questions may significantly delay the review of the grant application.

1. Please check the appropriate response if you are requesting a vehicle exhaust system. If you are requesting a vehicle exhaust system will it be installed on your:
_____Vehicle _____ Fire facility

If you answered that the vehicle exhaust system will be installed on your vehicle, you do not have to answer any other questions, as your response for this section is complete. Please email or fax your response to (202) 646-4156. Please put your Department's name, point of contact, point of contact's phone number and grant application number on the response.


REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM

Background:

The following questions seek information that will assist in assuring that any modifications to fire stations or fire facilities will conform with requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the floodplain management requirements of local communities that participate in the NFIP. Your community Floodplain Administrator, Building Department or Zoning Office can provide assistance with these questions.

1. Flood Zone Determination - Is the fire station or fire facility located in a Special Flood Hazard Area designated on a "Flood Insurance Rate Map" published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the Department of
Homeland Security?
Yes _____ No _____

2. Community Participation Status - Does your community participate in the NFIP? Communities that participate in the NFIP are listed at www.fema.gov/fema/csb.shtm.
Yes _____ No _____

3. Value of the modification or improvements to be made to the fire station or fire facility - Please indicate below the market value of the structure to be modified. Note: In determining the market value of the structure, be sure to deduct any value of the land upon which the structure is located.

Market value of station or facility (land and building): $________

Market value of station or facility only: $________

Value of improvements to be made to the station or facility: $________

Is the value of the improvements greater than 50% of the market value of the station or facility?
Yes _____ No _____

If the value of the improvements is greater than 50% of the market value of the station or facility, then the applicant will have to submit a copy of a Local Floodplain Development Permit issued by the community indicating the project is in accordance with the community's floodplain management ordinance requirements.


Providing Floodplain Administrator's Determination -

In order to more rapidly process those applications for stations or facilities that are located in Special Flood Hazard Areas, applicants are asked to contact the local community Floodplain Administrator, Zoning Office, or Building Permit Office and get a "Special Flood Hazard Area Letter of Determination". The Letter of Determination shall state the
following: (1) whether or not the station or facility is in a Special Flood Hazard Area as mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; (2) whether or not the community participates in the National Flood Insurance
Program; (3) the market value of the station or facility, and; (4) the market value of the modifications anticipated. The applicant shall fax the Letter of Determination to DHS. Please write on the fax that it is a Flood Determination Letter. Please include your Fire Department's name, grant application number, point of contact, and point of contact's phone number in case we have questions. Please fax this inform!

action to (202) 646-4156.


HISTORIC PRESERVATION REQUIREMENTS

DHS is required by Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act  to consider the effects of its programs and activities on properties eligible for or included in the National Register of Historic Places. This includes DHS funding of projects involving modification or expansion of existing structures such as fire stations or fire facilities. DHS's historic
preservation review must be satisfied prior to the project being conducted and funding being made available.

So that DHS may address in a timely manner any potential historic  preservation issues associated with your proposed project, please answer the following questions:

1. Will your project affect any fire stations or fire facilities 50 years old or older?
Yes _____ No _____

2. Based on your knowledge, is the station or facility eligible for or  included in the National Register of Historic Places or listed in any State or local historic register?
Yes _____ No _____

3. Are you aware if the station or facility is located in a designated  historic district?
Yes _____ No _____

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions 1 - 3, please provide the following:

The address(es). ___________________________
The original date(s) of construction. ________________
Name of building's architect(s). _________________________
Two color photographs (digital image format if at all possible) showing at least three sides of the structure(s).

If at all possible, we prefer that this information be emailed as an attachment with this questionnaire.

If you can't provide digital pictures, you can use a regular camera and have the pictures developed to a CD and mailed to FEMA/DHS by priority mail. Please include your Fire Department's name and grant number. The information
should be mailed to the address below:


FEMA/DHS
Grants Management Branch
500 C Street SW, Room 334
Washington DC 20472
Attention: Jane Early

For more information on Historic Preservation efforts, go to:
http://www.fema.gov/ehp/a.shtm


After we receive your responses to the questions above, DHS will either contact you for additional information or continue with the review and final decision on your grant application. If you are notified that you have been awarded a grant you shall not proceed with the implementation of modification projects, other than planning, until you are notified by DHS that your project(s) have been processed through historic preservation review and have clearance to proceed. Answering the previous questions doesn't complete the review process. Noncompliance may jeopardize receipt of Federal funding.

Again, this email message is not a notification of award; it is only a discussion of your application. Once I complete my review, and receive your favorable reply to this message, I will forward your application on to the next phase. If your department is selected you will be notified by e-mail through our on-line grants system. In that email, you will be directed to a website to print the award forms and other pertinent information.




The 1199a Email

From: firegrants@dhs.gov [mailto:firegrants@dhs.gov]
Sent: None
To: 
Subject: Direct Deposit form 1199A (Application Number:
EMW-2007-FO-xxxx)

DHS is collecting documentation to complete and authenticate  Assistance to Firefighters application. This documentation is necessary for further review of your application.  Please go to https://portal.fema.gov  and select the Firefighters Grants hyperlink.

This will take you to the Assistance to Firefighters eGrants system.  Enter your User Name and Password as requested on the login screen (on the left). Your User Name and Password are the same as those used to complete the application on-line.

Once you are in the system, the Status page will be the first screen you see.  On the right side of the Status screen, you will see a column entitled Action.  In this column, you will see a link that says Update 1199A.  Click this link.  This link will take you to the SF-1199A, Direct Deposit

Sign-up Form.  Please complete the SF-1199A on-line.

Submit the form electronically.  Then, using the Print 1199A Button, print a copy and take it to your bank to have the bottom portion completed and mailed to the following address:

Department of Homeland Security
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (EP&R/FEMA of DHS)
Attn: Assistance to Firefighters Grant - Fire Prevention and Safety Program Grants Management Branch Room 350 500 C Street S.W.
Washington, D. C. 20472.

Due to delays in delivery of regular USPS mail to government offices, we suggest that you use USPS priority mail or a commercial overnight delivery service to decrease the amount of time that elapses between our request for information and your response.

If you have any questions regarding your SF-1199A, please call 1-866-274-0960.


Cost Reduction Email

It is extremely important that you DO NOT automatically accept what the DHS staff propose to you.  If the reduction will jeopardized the success of your project let them know that and they will probably back off the reduction.  The panel review team has flagged your application and believes you are a little high on your prices and you did not provide enough  in your narrative to justify the price.

Subject: XXXX Fire Department, Minnesota: EMW-2007-FO-XXXXX
Date:
From: xxxx.xxxxx@dhs.gov
To:

Dear xxxxxxxx

I am the Grants Management Specialist from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Grants Management Office, assigned to review your FY 2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Application.  This is not a notification of award; it is only a preliminary discussion of your application.  A panel of your peers favorably reviewed your application and I have a few matters to discuss/verify with you prior to further processing your application.

1.)    If you are selected for a grant award, would you accept? YES, WE WOULD

 1b) Your request for SCBA has been reduced to $5000 not $6000. Your request for helmets has been reduced to $200 not $300. Your request for gloves has been reduced to $50 not the $65 indicated in the initial application, if awarded would you accept?






From: Pickett, Walter
To: 
Sent:
Subject: XXXXXX Fire Department, Minnesota: EMW-2007-FO-XXXXX - Modify Facilities - Cost Reduction

The Program Office indicates that there are several concerns regarding your fire grant application which must be addressed as follows:
1.      Funding for NIMS training is not allowed
2.      You must also verify that all other training can be completed within POP.
3.      Inasmuch as you employed a grant writer, prior to allowing the grant writer fees to be included in the grant we must document that the payment occurred prior to award, i.e., we need to review the bank statements and/or the canceled check used for payment. If the fee was paid prior to GMS contact with the applicant we will allow.
 
Pleas address these concerns and that you understand the grant cost reduction and agree.  Verification of the payment to the grant writer must take place before the grant application can be moved to award.   Again, this is not a notification of award; it is only a discussion of your application.  Please respond to this issue by August 8, 2006.
 
Respectfully,

Grants Management Specialist
(202) 646-2557



Direct Deposit Sign-up Form - 1199a

Listed below is the information you entered for the Direct Deposit Sign-up form. This information represents only the information required to be filled out by you. It is not a complete form. You must print, physically sign, and have your bank representative sign this form, and send it to the fund at:

Department of Homeland Security
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate (FEMA)
Grants Management Branch
500 C Street, SW, Room 350
Washington, DC 20472

Attn: Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program

You must use the button below to print the 1199A document.

Remember! After printing a copy of this form, you must send it to your financial institution.

Reference Award Number: EMW-2002-FG-XXXXX
Reference Award Number: EMW-2003-FG-XXXXX
Reference Award Number: EMW-2005-FG-XXXXX
Reference Award Number: EMW-2006-FG-XXXXX
Reference Award Number: EMW-2007-FG-XXXXX

A. Organization Information
* Organization Name XXXXX Fire Department
* Address 1
XXXX XXth avenue
Address 2

* City
XXXXX
* State
Minnesota
* Zip code
5XXXX - XXXX
* Telephone Number
XXX-XXX-XXXX
* EIN
XX-XXXXXXX
B. Name of person(s) entitled to payment
* Last Name
XXXXXXXXXXXX
Middle Initial

* First Name
XXXXXXXXXXX
C. Claim or payroll ID Number
Prefix
XX-XXXXXXX
Suffix
 
D. Type of Deposit Account Checking
E. Account Information
* Depositor Routing Number
XXXXXXX
* Depositor Account Number XXXXXX
F. Type of Payment Other, Grant
G. This box for allotment of payment only (if applicable)
Type
 
Amount
  

Payee/Joint Payee Certification

I certify that I am entitled to the payment identified above, and that I have read and understood the back of this form. In signing this form, I authorize my payment to be sent to the financial institution named below to be deposited to the designated account.

 

Joint Account Holder's Certification (optional)

I certify that I have read and understood the back of this form, including the SPECIAL NOTICE TO JOINT ACCOUNT HOLDERS.
Signature Date Signature Date
Signature Date Signature Date



AFG Implementation Policy on SCBA Certified to the 2007 Edition of NFPA 1981


To:
Date: 09/13/2007
Subject: The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Implementation Policy on SCBA Certified to the 2007 Edition of NFPA 1981
From: firegrants@dhs.gov

Please note - if you have not received an award package or turndown decision from your FY2007 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) application, then the policy notification which follows is NOT an indication that you will receive an award. We are, however, trying to ensure that all applicants for SCBA's are aware of the procedures and process that AFG will follow in implementing the recently effective, new SCBA standard.

The Assistance to Firefighter Program Office is aware of NFPA's 2007 change in the SCBA standard (NFPA 1981). This new standard is effective as of September 1, 2007, and from that date forward, grantees will be required to purchase SCBA that is certified to the 2007 edition of NFPA 1981. We understand that there may be a price increase for SCBA that is compliant with the new standard; unfortunately, we have no pricing data to determine what a reasonable allowance would be for the new SCBA. In light of this, we have therefore been assigning, and will continue to assign a value of $5,000 to grant awards as a price for an entire SCBA ensemble including a spare cylinder.

For grants awarded after July 1, 2007 (whether the awards be from 2006 or 2007 program years), if it is determined that $5,000 is insufficient to cover the costs of the requested SCBA we will consider amending the award to cover the Federal-share of the difference. In order for us to consider providing grantees with additional funding, grantees must submit an amendment AND do the following:

i. Obtain no less than three bids from three different manufacturers and submit the quotes/bids (via fax or pdf) to the program office for review. The bids should include delivery dates. The bids should also include a detailed breakdown of costs for cylinders, regulators, harness (including PASS device), spare cylinders, face piece, and voice amplifier (if separate), unless the bidder is indicating that the cost of the ensemble is less than the sum of component parts, and the grantee applied for the entire ensemble; and,

ii. Provide an inventory of existing SCBA with the date of purchase (month/year) for the SCBA. This inventory may be abbreviated, for example: 6 SCBA purchased in Oct 2003; 10 SCBA purchased in June 2006, etc.


For FY2006 program year grantees awarded between December 20, 2006 (the effective date of the new standard), and June 30, 2007, that have not purchased SCBA prior to the standard change (September 1, 2007) will have to provide justification for the delay in executing their grant in order to get an extension to their period of performance. However, these 2006-grantees will not be afforded any additional funds.

For FY2006 program year grantees awarded prior to December 20, 2006, that have not purchased SCBA prior to the standard change (September 1, 2007), will not receive extensions to their grant's period of performance unless they can provide justification that the delay was beyond their control. Delaying the purchase of "urgently needed" safety equipment is generally an indication that the equipment was not needed, thus difficult to justify.




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Last Updated: 2005