News release from FEMA
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is pleased to provide this update for September 2022. Each month, we supply information relative to the management of current grants, as well as helpful details on upcoming grant opportunities.
In this month’s update
- FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
- Grant Management Training – Monitoring
- Closeout Reports – Coming Soon!
- AFGP Success Stories
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FY 2021 AFG Programs Status Update
FY 2021 AFGP award announcements are underway. Awards will continue to be made over the next several weeks until the funds are exhausted. As award determinations are finalized, notification will be sent to grant recipients. Award information will also be posted on the FEMA website as each round is announced. Awards are expected to continue well into the month of October.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: AFG awards will continue to be made after September 30, 2022, which is the end of the current fiscal year. This is due to the $300 Million in supplemental funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act (AFG-$90 Million, SAFER-$200 Million and FP&S-$10 Million).
AFG Award Listings: Assistance to Firefighters Grants | FEMA.gov
SAFER Award Listings: Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) | FEMA.gov
FP&S Award Listings: Fire Prevention and Safety | FEMA.gov
Grants Management Training
Monitoring
Both AFG HQ and Regional staff must conduct monitoring reviews of AFG awards annually. It is very likely that if you have been a recipient of an AFG award that you have experienced a monitoring visit. The information below is to provide you with a better understanding of what monitoring entails, its purpose, and additional information about required documentation and common issues. If you have any questions, please reach out to the Regional Fire Program Representative assigned to your state. If you are not sure who that is, there is a link at the bottom of the email.
What is monitoring?
- Assesses programmatic, financial, and business management performance of an award;
- Occurs during the period of performance;
- Ensures compliance with pertinent statutes, regulations, administrative requirements, NOFO/program guidance, OMB circulars, and relevant FEMA information bulletins;
- Verifies that Federal property and other grant-related resources are appropriately safeguarded; and
- Validates information provided by the recipient.
Monitoring outcomes:
- Identify problems early;
- Work with recipient to correct problems;
- Prevent waste, fraud, and abuse;
- Ensure good performance and success;
- Document promising practices;
- Develop relationships; and
- Not a one-time event, but an ongoing process.
Monitoring types:
- Can be programmatic or financial, but sometimes a combination when monitoring is coordinated.
- Desk review: Conference call, webinar, etc. with stakeholders
- Site visit: Direct contact with stakeholders
Monitoring: Examples of Required Documentation
- Application
- Award package
- Amendments
- Performance and financial reports
- Expenditure source documentation
- Policies and procedures
- Indirect cost rate agreements
- Audit reports and Corrective Action Plan
- Correspondence
Examples of Financial Monitoring Issues
- Inadequate accounting procedures
- Lack of documentation
- Period of performance expiration
- Drawing down funds too quickly or too slowly
- Failure to manage audit results
- Inventory management deficiencies
- Commingling and supplanting
Examples of programmatic monitoring Issues
- Inadequate written policies and procedures
- Inadequate subrecipient monitoring plan
- Late, incomplete, or incorrect reporting
- Inadequate EHP documentation
- Lack of documentation of project progress
- Inadequate project progress due to:
- Procurement issues
- EHP issues
- Delays due to disasters, unforeseen major events, etc.
Closeouts coming soon for FEMA GO
In the coming days, the closeout module will be released in FEMA GO for recipients that have received AFG awards from 2018 to 2020. Be on the lookout for emails regarding training resources for completing the new module. Once the closeout module is released, recipients will have 120 days to complete the module. If an award still has an open period of performance, the recipient may still close the grant if the scope of work is complete and all funds are drawn down. Do not start your closeout if there is a chance that more funds or an amendment could be requested as these functions will no longer be available. Those with open periods of performance will be required to complete the module within 120 days of the period of performance ending if the closeout has not already been submitted.
For more information contact your Regional Fire Program Representative or the AFG Helpdesk toll-free at 1-866-274-0960 or email [email protected]