Equipment Prices

[SCrescue]

That's totally ok, as long as it's not over the $5K limit (you'd have to get approval then). Congrats! (BTW, where in SC are ya?)

Thanks for the help, I am in Whitmire

[dixiechicknc]

Thanks for the help, I am in Whitmire

I think we come kind close to your way when we drive 77 to 20 to go to Tallahassee to see the in-laws several times a year. Did you by any chance attend the DHS Workshop in the Greenville/Columbia area in January? I drove down for that one.

[SCrescue]

Now I am totally confused.

I just got off the phone with my grant specialist and he said that I can not spend money remaining from the shores to apply to the turn-out gear and instead I should submit an amendment to reduce the number of turn-out sets I buy.

Then I can use the up to $5000 to extend the scope.

Don’t get me wrong, this is a nice problem to have, but…….

And yes Dixie, in the old days before I-77 you would have passed through our town, and most likely missed it!!!

[ktb9780]

Unbelievable! Exactly whom di you speak with? Was it just the "help desk", your regional fire programs specialist or to someone in DC? Thsi is 180 degrees opposite of what they have told me on two occassions in the past 3 weeks. Brian, Alana care to weigh in here?

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

I'm with Kurt, this is backwards from what I've been told on several occasions. You basically have the full amount of the award to buy everything that you applied for in the quantities that you specified.

The only thing I can think of is because the $1000/set requested was cut to $600. SC, what kind of gear are you buying that the reduction was taken? Other than nomex wildland PPE I can't imagine what you're trying to buy for that amount. Structural nomex costs more than $600.

[SCrescue]

It was my grant specialist. I requested Structural PBI. The price on the gear is my problem. There is no way I can find to purchase one set for $600. I have the money if I can use my excess from the shores, there will be around $9000 there.

I hesitate to buy anything until this is straighten out.

[onebugle]

SCrescue,

I went through this same issue last year. All of the SCBA, upgrades and cylinders came in under budget. The turnout gear came in over budget (thats a story for another day). As you did, I contacted our specialist in D.C. I posed the question can I use the savings to cover the cost over run with out violating the $5,000. Obviously, their answer was no. All excess funds fall under the $5,000 dollar rule.

It wasn't until I filed an amendment that I recieved the same answer as Kurt & Brian are talking about. That's when I recieved a phone call explaining that you could use excess funds to cover cost over runs, then the remainder falls under the $5,000 rule.

In your case you will have to take it up the chain to get the correct answer.

[BC79er_OLDDELETE]

I'm wondering how in the world you got reduced to $600. The DHS limit on structural PBI (just coats and pants) is $1200, and you were below that to begin with. I'd ask the grant specialist how they came to the $600 price, because it sure isn't based in reality, that's for sure. I had one person reduced incorrectly, then fixed by their grant specialist. I'd ask them about that first when you call them back. Then if that doesn't work, I guess you're on the amendment trail like Bugle said.

[SCrescue]

I wondered that too. I ask via email for the cut to be reconsider but that award came out with the cut. I thought I had some good prices. I have no idea how to meet the intent of the grant for 100% gear at that price.

I will call and then do the amendment if that does not work.

Thanks for all of your help, I have learned a bunch here.

[dixiechicknc]

SC, send me an email offline, and I'll send you additional contacts located in our Region, that may can help you. (Sorry I have been out of town all weekend, down to MB for CMAS shopping.)

[SCrescue]

Thanks for the info. I will try that route. I'm good at leaving voice mail!!!

[SCrescue]

I just got off the phone with the Atlanta office. The answer was the same, I can use $5000 to extend the scope of the grant, but the limit is the limit. That is I can not use savings in one line item to cover overages in another - past that $5000 limit.

I am going to order the other stuff and hold off on the Turnouts for a while to see if anyone hears anything different.

Otherwise I will do an admentment to reduce the number of sets I purchase.

Thanks again.