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The Lone DHS Assumption
I meant to post this way back when I confirmed it, but that was in the middle of the upgrade they were doing and the forums wouldn't play nicely with me and some others. Details.
Anywho...DHS tells us over and over that they can't make assumptions based on our applications. Of course there is one exception that makes the rule: if you do not specify that you want to purchase used or remanufactured equipment in your application, the assumption is that you are buying new. In other words, you now must buy NEW equipment if awarded.
Refurbed or remanufactured with warranty does not meet the definition of new. You will end up with problems at a site audit.
There is nothing wrong with refurbed or remanufactured equipment or trucks. The problem goes to buying what you said you were going to buy. And if you don't say anything, that means you want to buy new.
Besides the fact that if you apply at new prices, buying at lower used prices doesn't help because you can't buy more anyway. If you apply for 12 SCBA, the only way you can buy more is through excess funds capped at $4999 federal share. The rest goes back to DHS or to Fire Prevention. I'm hearing of too many people thinking 'they gave me $80 for SCBA, I can buy however many I want'. Odds are that's no one that comes out here to the forums, but if you see or hear of anyone doing this better let them know before they get in trouble. A dept in Texas had to either cut a check for $20K to repay the money, or buy $20K worth of Fire Prevention stuff in a week after their site audit or their whole award was going away. Meaning leaving the station in a Uhaul.
Plus don't forget the Assurances at the end that state that any funny business will be referred to the US Attorney General. Do not play games, this is one you will lose every time.
Good luck on 2007, and get them done ASAP!
- Brian
Anywho...DHS tells us over and over that they can't make assumptions based on our applications. Of course there is one exception that makes the rule: if you do not specify that you want to purchase used or remanufactured equipment in your application, the assumption is that you are buying new. In other words, you now must buy NEW equipment if awarded.
Refurbed or remanufactured with warranty does not meet the definition of new. You will end up with problems at a site audit.
There is nothing wrong with refurbed or remanufactured equipment or trucks. The problem goes to buying what you said you were going to buy. And if you don't say anything, that means you want to buy new.
Besides the fact that if you apply at new prices, buying at lower used prices doesn't help because you can't buy more anyway. If you apply for 12 SCBA, the only way you can buy more is through excess funds capped at $4999 federal share. The rest goes back to DHS or to Fire Prevention. I'm hearing of too many people thinking 'they gave me $80 for SCBA, I can buy however many I want'. Odds are that's no one that comes out here to the forums, but if you see or hear of anyone doing this better let them know before they get in trouble. A dept in Texas had to either cut a check for $20K to repay the money, or buy $20K worth of Fire Prevention stuff in a week after their site audit or their whole award was going away. Meaning leaving the station in a Uhaul.
Plus don't forget the Assurances at the end that state that any funny business will be referred to the US Attorney General. Do not play games, this is one you will lose every time.
Good luck on 2007, and get them done ASAP!
- Brian
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