The application period for the 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grant has closed. So what’s next for applicants?
Make sure you’ve completed the Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
If you have not yet registered your organization here, please go to https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx and complete this process. CCR registration is required prior to receiving a grant award. Applicants who do not complete the CCR registration, or do not complete the required annual verification of their CCR data, will not receive an award.
Application Review Process
What happens to applications after they are submitted?
- Phase 1: Pre-scoring (Automated Assessment). All applications are scored initially by an automated assessment that determines which applications best meet the AFG priorities as outlined in the FY 2011 AFG Program Guidance. The top-scoring applications are referred to the second phase of review, which is the Peer Review Panel evaluation.
- Phase 2: Peer Review Panel Evaluations. Peer Review Panels are scheduled for late October to evaluate the top-scoring applications. Each Panel is comprised of six individuals from the U.S. fire service or emergency medical services. Each application is reviewed by three of the six panel members. They will score specific elements of the applications, including clarity of the project description and budget, financial need, cost benefit, and impact of the award on daily operations. Each panel will make award recommendations about the applications it reviews.
- Technical Review. A small number of applications will undergo technical review by Subject Matter Experts. These “SME’s” will review the applications recommended for award to determine if any technical questions need to be addressed.
- Grant Management Specialists Review. FEMA grants management specialists will review the recommended applications to ensure no additional administrative or budgetary issues need attention.
Note: Some applicants may receive clarification questions by email, including whether they would be willing to accept a smaller amount of money than originally requested. Applicants are encouraged to discuss any questions or concerns they have with the grants management specialists. However, receipt of clarification questions does NOT mean that final award decisions have been made!
Award Process
After all reviews have been completed, final award decisions will be announced. We plan to start announcing awards by the end of the 2011 calendar year. Once announcements begin, they will continue on a rolling basis until all AFG funds have been awarded. All applicants will be notified of the decision made on their submission regardless of whether they will receive an award.
- If you are being awarded a grant, you will receive an email notification that contains the AFG Articles of Agreement. The Articles of Agreement describe the terms of the grant, including any conditions placed on the award, legal requirements, and your responsibilities as a grantee. Before accepting the award, read the Articles of Agreement in their entirety, and ask any questions you have about the grant terms. Your acceptance of the award constitutes acceptance of the Articles of Agreement and all the requirements listed.
- If you are NOT being awarded a grant, you will receive an email notification of this decision.
Grant Closeouts Date
- FY 2008 and Previous AFG Awardees: If you received a grant for FY 2008 or earlier, you MUST submit a grant closeout report before any new awards will be made. If you have questions about submitting a closeout report, please call the AFG Help Desk at 1-866-274-0960, or contact them by email at firegrants@dhs.gov.
- FY 2009 and FY 2010 AFG Awardees: The closeout report for FY 2009 and FY 2010 grants will be available soon. However, consideration of your FY 2011 application will NOT be affected by the status of the closeout reports for your FY 2009 and 2010 grants.
Preliminary BReakdown of FY 2011 AFG Applications
By Service Area
Rural 12,010
Suburban 3,119
Urban 1,365
Totals 16,494
By Department Type
Volunteer 8,440
Combination 4,219
Career 2,588
Paid On-Call/Stipend 1,247
Totals 16,494
By Program Activity
Operations and Safety 10,817
Vehicle Acquisition 5,677
Totals 16,494
