Under/Over

[neiowa]

Not finding what I need with search. I know has been discussed though.

Shopping list approved. I'm sure will be under budget on some items. Can FD spend this "exra" going "over budget" on other items where likely didn't budget enough $.


Then at the end of the day any if have $ left can use (with approval) for " injury prevention activities" (or fire prevention). Anyone have insite on "injury prevention activities"? Physicals? or what has been done/approved?

[BC79er]

You can, just have to track by line item how much over/under and then add it up. You can play the shell game with up to their matching portion of $5k ($4750, $4500, $4000). That shell game counts as the excess funds so only thing after that is FP or health and wellness, same things that are eligible in the H&W from the PG.

[neiowa]

So, for example, come in under on LDH item by $7000, how much can go over (add $ for more capable) on MDT item? $7000 or only $5000?

[BC79er]

Only $5k. Give me a ring and I can explain.

[jam24u]

They are adamant at $5,000 for excess funds use. No matter how far under the award you come in.

[firebill911]

My scenario

Well Im kinda in the same boat, I got first bid and it looks like i am going to have way more than $5K left over. AFG cut or reduced my grant early in, so can i call and request i spend more than the $5K on the same items and I still wont go over more than i originally requested?

Its amazing when salemen give you quotes and then you say hey got a grant but the pencils are going to have to be sharpened as this is a competitive bid process and then they cut $$$, i think they are hurting too!

[islandfire03]

Well Im kinda in the same boat, I got first bid and it looks like i am going to have way more than $5K left over. AFG cut or reduced my grant early in, so can i call and request i spend more than the $5K on the same items and I still wont go over more than i originally requested?

Its amazing when salemen give you quotes and then you say hey got a grant but the pencils are going to have to be sharpened as this is a competitive bid process and then they cut $$$, i think they are hurting too!

NO !
The reason you received a reduction is because they know you can complete your grant for the funding level you received from them. Your case proves this.

The best example of this is for SCBA's
Some dealers were giving prices as high as $6.500.00 for a 4.5 pack with spare cylinder.
AFG set the pricing at $5,250.00
WHY you ask ? Because they knew that certain dealers were marking up their products by excessive amounts as they knew it was federal tax dollars paying.
When these same dealers were told to sharpen their pencils or lose the sale: Guess what!
They suddenly could sell the packs for the $5250.00 limit and did so gladly.

[SLY4420]

AFG cut or reduced my grant early in, so can i call and request i spend more than the $5K on the same items and I still wont go over more than i originally requested?

No. You're stuck with $5K max.

[firebill911]

Ok

Island Fire i understand what you are saying with the reduction, but my reduction was in the quanity not the cost per item. For example I asked for 12 1.5" nozzles and my reduction was offered (and agreed upon) for 7 nozzles, costs per nozzles never changed. Would that make any difference? Probably not but it would really help us out a lot.

So for the injury prevention activities, what have people been approved for? The PG really doesnt say much or give you any ideas. Looking for ideas, Im going to have well over $5K left. I guess if worse case scenario I gove some back!

Thanks for all the good info, i really appreciate it!

[onebugle]

Island Fire i understand what you are saying with the reduction, but my reduction was in the quanity not the cost per item. For example I asked for 12 1.5" nozzles and my reduction was offered (and agreed upon) for 7 nozzles, costs per nozzles never changed. Would that make any difference? Probably not but it would really help us out a lot.

So for the injury prevention activities, what have people been approved for? The PG really doesnt say much or give you any ideas. Looking for ideas, Im going to have well over $5K left. I guess if worse case scenario I gove some back!

Thanks for all the good info, i really appreciate it!

No, it does not make a difference. From the FAQ's:

Our department was contacted by the Program Office during the approval process and negotiated to a lower number of a particular item. However, after purchasing everything, we had additional funds. Can we purchase the original "pre-negotiated" number of items?

No. If the Program Office negotiated a lower number of items, it was because the Program Office Subject Matter Specialists determined the original request contained excessive or duplicative equipment. Saving funds does not eliminate the rationale for the reduction in items. For example, a department with 10 active members sought 20 sets of turnout. The Program Office reduced the request to 10 because purchasing a second set of gear is a poor use of limited grant funds when so many other departments have unmet needs. If this department received quotes sufficient to purchase 20 sets of gear, we would only pay for 10 based on the negotiated agreement. The only exception to this scenario is the use of excess funds. Grantees are allowed discretion in their use of up to $5,000 in excess funds. See the Program Guidance for more details on the eligible uses of excess fund

[admpaul]

To help you can buy the more expensive equipment or take a higher bid. You don't always have to take the cheapest bid. If you can justify why you took the more expensive bid there is not a problem. I have taken higher cost bid just because of quality of service from a vendor.

[BC79er]

Correct admpaul, lesson everyone needs there. Low bid isn't the fed requirement, the only thing that has to be done at that point is an evaluation on all bids to justify the reason behind the low bid not being taken. Low bid requirements are an assumption that all products/services are equal and we know that's not true anymore. Same reason people don't have a problem paying $100 more an SCBA just so they don't have to be shipped somewhere for service at local cost versus an on-site company.

Excess funds should be used up to the $5k, but at that point spend the money on the fire prevention stuff that they're not handing the average FD. Computers, projectors, robots, coloring books, etc are all eligible expenditures for excess funds, and even though it requires an amendment if it is in the right format DHS can't turn it down. So we're guaranteed to get whatever it is we need for FP without hassle. Considering 12-15 awards for FP take half the money we might as well get the stuff here when we can.