2009 AFG award held up by IT problem?

[P_Island_Fire]

Our small, isolated (we are on an island) volunteer department received a phone call in May advising us that we were awarded our 09 AFG. I've had many discussions with the help line, the regional grant specialist(s), and the washington office. Aparrently there is some IT problem holding up our grant (and a handfull of grants in our region). We have been assured that the problem is in Washington and is no fault of ours. We have been asked to be patient and it will come.

We are at a loss about what to do next. We are new to the grant writing process and do not want to step on toes or hurt our future chances to receive grants. We budgeted the money after we were advised that we got the grant and are now faced with a sizeable budget deficit.

Are there another departments in this situation here?

Any advice about what we can do to get this resolved?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[SLY4420]

I'm not sure what you're asking. You can call your Regional Specialist to get an update, but if you're concerned with the financial aspect, that's something you'll have to handle. As with many organizations, the funding is limited (thus the need for the grants!) but you should always do what you can to come up with your matching funds.

If you must take out a loan, hold a special fundraiser, or whatever, don't turn down tens of thousands of $ because you're having trouble coming up with several hundred.

[P_Island_Fire]

SLY4420 - thanks for the reply. Here is some additional info:

I speak to the regional grant specialist on a weekly basis. The regional grant specialist has been helpful but basically stated that there is nothing more he can do. The IT problem has dragged on for months. (we were unoficially advised that we would most likely be getting the award in 09 and the IT problem existed then, so this issue is almost 12 months old)

The help desk said that the IT problem is the responsibility of an outside contractor and they could do nothing further.

It appears that our award and the others that are held up are all fairly small dollar amounts.


Our congrassman has offered to make some phone calls on our behalf to help get things moving but I do not know where to direct him.

Are we over-reacting? Is this type of thing common? As I said before we are new to this process and don't want to be out of line.

[SLY4420]

There have been issues in the past, but none specificially stated "IT problem holdups" like this. Congressmen can light a fire, they should have people in their offices who know who to contact.

Very confused myself as to what could hold it up this long. Do you have an 1199A posted?

[P_Island_Fire]

Yes, we have an 1199a posted.

The problem has something to do with the 1199a, as they had us re-submit it several months ago.

Thanks.

[neiowa]

Our small, isolated (we are on an island) volunteer department received a phone call in May advising us that we were awarded our 09 AFG. I've had many discussions with the help line, the regional grant specialist(s), and the washington office. Aparrently there is some IT problem holding up our grant (and a handfull of grants in our region). We have been assured that the problem is in Washington and is no fault of ours. We have been asked to be patient and it will come.

We are at a loss about what to do next. We are new to the grant writing process and do not want to step on toes or hurt our future chances to receive grants. We budgeted the money after we were advised that we got the grant and are now faced with a sizeable budget deficit.

Are there another departments in this situation here?

Any advice about what we can do to get this resolved?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Their system is broken? Perhaps a dog ate the punch cards?

What are you waiting for? You don't work for anyone at DHS or FG. It their toys are broken and they need a kick in the butt then so be it. Start kicking.

Call one or both of your Senators (that would be Reed or Whitehouse). Both are extreme left twits and as neither are up for reelection this year who knows if they will do anything. They can get action (should do so). Get an aid's name and give him/her a call daily until get the answer you want.

Perhaps call your Congressman as well? You have a pair of socialst democrat mutts there also so who knows. A Kennedy? Really? Now would be the year to fix that insanity. Apparently both RI congressment have viable opponents running. Perhaps one of them can be interested kicking the "incompetents in Obama government" can? Call them.

Give is a week (and tell the pols such) then find a muck raking TV station. Current reality of politics is that many lefty broadcasters are now looking for ways to demonstrate they are not owned by Obama and the dem party. Here's an issue many would love to play with.

[LVFD301]

You state you are faced with a sizeable deficit - have you already purchased your grant items, or is the deficit just on paper?

If on paper it should not be an issue.

[ktb9780]

You state you are faced with a sizeable deficit - have you already purchased your grant items, or is the deficit just on paper?

If on paper it should not be an issue.

Yeah wondered about that myself. If you need to talk to someone and have time send me a phone number and I will be glad to speak to you about it and offer suggestions or try to put this in perspective for you and those concerned.

[P_Island_Fire]

Thanks Kurt,

PM'd my number.

Glenn Young

[ktb9780]

Funny website says it is "OPEN" now but no tuturiial, program docs etc. I did see 2010 FAQs though.