Left over AFG funds

[capt4nocfa]

Our dept has left over funds that we want to use for FP. Has any dept gotten to use their left over funds for a trailer to haul characterization and prop equipment? sound equipment? What have other depts used their funds for? Thanks for the help.

[ElectricHoser]

IIRC, leftover funds can only be used to fulfill additional goals as stated in the mission addressed in the grant request (ie. if you needed turnouts and radios, you can buy additional PPE and/or additional communications equipment).

I am not sure of the *exact* rules, and I will probably have my statement corrected or clarified by one of the more expert contributors here.

Good luck.

[onebugle]

Actually, excess funds can be used for an approved FP project besides purchasing additonal equipment within the scope of the project. The exception is when excess funds exceed $5,000. It is mandatory for any excess funds over $5,000 to be used towards FP.

The PG states:

(2)Grantees may use excess funds to create or expand a fire prevention program. In order to use excess funds for fire prevention, it will be necessary for grantees to submit an amendment to their grant. In the amendment request, it will be necessary to explainthe following:

i)What fire prevention efforts are you currently engaged in?
ii)Where the use of excess funds would fit within your existing efforts, if
applicable.
iii)Who is the target audience for your fire prevention project and how did
you identify this audience?
iv)How will you evaluate the effectiveness of the requested fire
prevention project?

Excess funds over $5,000 must be used for fire prevention or option number three (3)below.

(option 3 is returning the excess funds to AFG)

Departments have funded laptops, equipment etc. I believe the AFG is pretty lenient on this as long as it meets the above conditions. As for a trailer, I'm not sure if it has been done. It can't hurt to submit an amendment, the worse they will do is say no and you will have to come up with a backup FP.

[ElectricHoser]

Ah yes, within the "scope".... I should have kept my mouth (keyboard?) closed. Thanks for the correction.

[mbristol]

I would check with the people at AFG, before I spent any money. It is easy to ask questions now, instead of in the audit. Was your grant a FP grant, or FF Safety?

[Not2L84U2]

I would check with the people at AFG, before I spent any money. It is easy to ask questions now, instead of in the audit. Was your grant a FP grant, or FF Safety?

I'll echo bristol here...and add to get those answers documented by AFG. Even if you simply request an e-mail be sent to you to verify the conversation you just had. Write down names, dates, and times of who and when you talk to people at AFG.

[capt4nocfa]

Our grant was for FF safety and I had fully intened to do a amendment for the requested FP items. I was just wondering about the trailer etc. and what other had used their excess funds for.

[onebugle]

Even though the rules explain the excess funds process, it doesn't hurt to CYA. I have sent something each time explaining what we will be doing with the excess funds. You will probably get the stock answer that expains the excess funds rule, but it covers you.

On one occasion, with excess funds exceeding $5,000, an amendment was sent explaining the FP idea for the amount over $5,000 and how the remainder was being used within the scope of the project. A phone call later, fully documented, the excess funds were determined to be less than $4,000, no need for FP (officially closed out by AFG).

[ktb9780]

Don't worry guys, she is a two time winner and keeps her ducks in a row quite well. She knows only too well to CYA on the email with permission first.Call them and ask Barb; "No" is just a word!
P.S. Looks like Waterford wants me up there next year with a seminar!

[capt4nocfa]

If I submit a request for the things we need for Fp and they say no can we submit a different request or is their only 1 chance and you give the money back?

[ktb9780]

Make the "call" first and test the waters Barb beofre submitting a written plan.

[Not2L84U2]

Actually, excess funds can be used for an approved FP project besides purchasing additonal equipment within the scope of the project. The exception is when excess funds exceed $5,000. It is mandatory for any excess funds over $5,000 to be used towards FP.

(option 3 is returning the excess funds to AFG)

Departments have funded laptops, equipment etc. I believe the AFG is pretty lenient on this as long as it meets the above conditions. As for a trailer, I'm not sure if it has been done. It can't hurt to submit an amendment, the worse they will do is say no and you will have to come up with a backup FP.

Just to clarify, is it the federal share that can not be over $5K or the total? Can I buy $4,999 worth of equipment or can I buy $5,262 worth of equipment and request $4,999 in federal share? Not sure that we'll get that close, but just curious more than anything.

[ktb9780]

Just to clarify, is it the federal share that can not be over $5K or the total? Can I buy $4,999 worth of equipment or can I buy $5,262 worth of equipment and request $4,999 in federal share? Not sure that we'll get that close, but just curious more than anything.

Ryan anything that oyu do with the excess funds up to the $5,000 will have to include your mathcing dollars as well. If you are a 10% it would have to include that 10% of the cost.

[Not2L84U2]

Thanks Kurt...kind of figured but wasn't sure

[accesslocks]

For you Grant Guru's..
My approved grant project was for $79,800 ($75,810/$3,990) my bids came in at $73,988 So, it looks as though I will have approximately $5,812 total in unspent money from my Ops & Safety grant... (I asked for Structural PPE (head to toe), pagers and training materials)
My question is, can I ask to use those unspent dollars for wildland gear for 5 members that currently don't have any wildland PPE? it is PPE, just not structural PPE....will it fly?? or should I just try and use it for Fire Prevention? I believe I can use $4,750 fed's money and $250 of my money, correct??
Thanks in advance... David

[ktb9780]

For you Grant Guru's..
My approved grant project was for $79,800 ($75,810/$3,990) my bids came in at $73,988 So, it looks as though I will have approximately $5,812 total in unspent money from my Ops & Safety grant... (I asked for Structural PPE (head to toe), pagers and training materials)
My question is, can I ask to use those unspent dollars for wildland gear for 5 members that currently don't have any wildland PPE? it is PPE, just not structural PPE....will it fly?? or should I just try and use it for Fire Prevention? I believe I can use $4,750 fed's money and $250 of my money, correct??
Thanks in advance... David

You hsoudo be OK with that, best bet is call program specialist and ask the question and get his answer in an email to document yourself.

[jam24u]

You hsoudo be OK with that, best bet is call program specialist and ask the question and get his answer in an email to document yourself.

The Key here is what Kurt just mentioned. Request an email confirming their approval.

Its easy to say "thank you" then hang up and forget to request that email.

Kurt, your sinkholes in Florida I see had even forced the shutdown of the Daytona 500 untill they could get it repaired.

The water usage to protect the orchards was the cause right?

[ktb9780]

The Key here is what Kurt just mentioned. Request an email confirming their approval.

Its easy to say "thank you" then hang up and forget to request that email.

Kurt, your sinkholes in Florida I see had even forced the shutdown of the Daytona 500 untill they could get it repaired.

The water usage to protect the orchards was the cause right?

All the pumping of water to ice the trees and keep them from freezing causes sinkholes. Not sure what caused Daytona pothole to form other than poor maintenance. It needs resurfacing and has needed it for years. Thought my boy Clint wasa going to take it all but, helping his teamate knocked him out.

[onebugle]

I believe I can use $4,750 fed's money and $250 of my money, correct??
Thanks in advance... David

That is correct if you are required to match at the 5% level otherwise it would be 10% ($4500/$500) or 20% ($4000/$1000).

[Catch22]

OK, I'm going to pirate this one for a minute. I haven't had to do an equipment closeout in a couple of years and I notice this year you must put in detail (make, model, etc.) what you bought. Does this include what you purchased with excess funds?

I ask since I used part of our excess funds for FP&S stuff and I see nowhere to include it. Thought you guys might save me some time on the phone with the help desk.