Paying for equipment

[lshafer]

Does anyone know if my department gets awarded a grant and we have already purchased equipment out of necessity, can we use that money to pay for it, if the money was meant for it in the first place? I need to know ASAP. Thanks for your help.

[SLY4420]

Generally, no purchases can be made prior to an award announcement.

If it was done after the application deadline but before an award, AND it involves the equipment involved in the application, it could (rarely) be considered.

(5) Pre-award Costs: Generally, grantees cannot use grant funds to pay for products and services contracted for or purchased prior to the effective date of the grant. However, expenses incurred after the application deadline, but prior to award, may be eligible for reimbursement if the expenses were justified, unavoidable, consistent with the grant’s scope of work, and specifically approved by DHS. We will consider requests for reimbursement for pre-award costs on a case-by-case basis.

[SLY4420]

One other thing to note:

It could be hard to justify how you purchased the equipment with funds that you had, yet you applied for federal funds because you can't complete a project on your own. (The purpose of the program)

[Greenacres2]

What Sly said plus...make sure to ask before taking action. My guess, from the wording in the PG, is that buying first and asking permission later will be the kiss of death.

My opinion only, somebody who's been through the process may want to wade in here.

earl

[k3twpfire]

Welcome back to the forums Earl!

[LVFD301]

Does anyone know if my department gets awarded a grant and we have already purchased equipment out of necessity, can we use that money to pay for it, if the money was meant for it in the first place? I need to know ASAP. Thanks for your help.

If nothing else, when there is a question like this that could result in your department getting into trouble with FEMA, possibly having to turn back money to FEMA, and other sanctions, you should talk to a fire grant specialist at FEMA before doing anything.