It is impossible for us to list every ineligible item. There is the potential for items to be considered ineligible but not specifically listed in the program guidance.  Warranties and maintenance agreements fall into this category.  The reason that warranties and maintenance agreements are not eligible is the Program Office expects grantees to purchase items as listed in their award.  All grant activity, i.e., the purchase of products and/or services, are expected to be carried out to completion within the Period of Performance, as stated in Article III of the award letter.  Activities that go beyond the Period of Performance or are outside the scope of the award could be in violation of Article II of the award agreement.  Multi-year warranties or maintenance agreements, by their very nature, remain in effect well beyond the performance period and are not allowed. Please note these services have been specifically listed as ineligible in the 2009 AFG Program Guidance.
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I'm planning to submit an application as a host for a regional project. When I answer the questions in the Department Characteristics section of the online application, do I use the statistics for the entire region that will be affected by the project, or do I use my department's local statistics?
When applying as a host for a regional project, you provide the statistics for the entire region.  The statistics provided may affect the level of the cost-share obligations of the project.
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I'm applying as the host for a regional project, but I also need some equipment for my own department. Can I submit a second application for my own department's needs?
Yes.  In 2009 you may submit a separate application for your own department’s needs.
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Are there any special requirements in order to qualify for a regional communications project?
Yes. Regional communication projects must comply or be consistent with the State Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP). Applicants in states that do not have a SCIP are not eligible for regional communication projects.
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It has been the AFG policy to allow up to 50 percent of the grant funds to be used for a down payment. Is that the case for this year's program?
NO.  To encourage better cash management practices, grantees may only request 25 percent for down payments.  There will not be any additional funds available for chassis payments in 2009.  If a grantee is required to pay for the chassis, they will have to use the 25 percent allowance or their own resources for the down payment.
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Will preference be given to those who applied for fire grants last year and didn't receive them?
No. This is a competitive grant program. We will view all applications independently. Applicants whose requests are most consistent with the priorities in the program guidance that provide the best narrative explaining the project with the project's budget details, demonstrating financial need, showing the best cost-benefit and showing the most significant effect on the ability to protect life and property will score the highest in the competitive grant process.
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What are the requirements for matching funds?

• Fire departments in areas serving populations over 50,000 must match the federal grant funds with an amount of non-federal funds equal to twenty percent of the total project cost.
• Fire departments serving areas with a population between 20,001 and 50,000 (inclusive) must match the federal grant funds with an amount of non-federal funds equal to ten percent of the total project cost.
• Fire departments serving areas with a population of 20,000 or less must match the federal grant funds with an amount of non-federal funds equal to five percent of the total project cost.
• All cost-share contributions must be cash. No "in-kind" contributions are considered for the statutorily required cost-share. No waivers for this requirement are granted except for fire departments of Insular Areas as provided for in 48 U.S.C. 1469a.

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Is funding available for construction?
No. Grant funds may NOT be used for construction of any kind. This includes site preparation for the placement of generators or the erection of a radio tower. We will not participate in any activity where the profile or the footprint of a structure will be changed. However, the costs of renovations to an existing facility are allowable if they support a grant activity or program and involve only the minor interior changes necessary to fulfilling their scope of work. Renovations are limited to $10,000.
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Where can I find out more information regarding CBRNE preparedness training?
DHS provides CBRNE training at the Awareness, Performance, and Planning and Management levels FREE OF CHARGE for eligible applicants. This training is listed in the ODP Course Catalog (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/odp/docs/coursecatalog.pdf) or may be obtained by calling the Helpline at 1-800-368-6498.
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With the changing technology in communications, why are cell phones not allowed in the AFG Program?
There are several issues with allowing cell phones in the grant program. Traditionally, they are not used for emergency communications. They are considered an ancillary device that may assist a fire department member for personal communications but not the primary means for emergency communications, especially at a fire scene. There is also the issue of multiyear user agreements for cell phones; the grant program has a limited performance period of one yearr.

The AFG Program will accept applications that include the 800 MHz trunked radio systems and wireless technologies in support of interoperability. As with all grant requests, the burden of justification for the cost-benefit of this request is the applicant’s responsibility. If awarded, a technical review will be conducted to ensure the system requested meets the state and local interoperability requirements. The grant funds can be used to purchase the equipment but cannot be used to pay for service contracts or annual usage agreements.
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