Important Announcement for All FY 2011 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Applicants

1. If your application is approved for award, the primary contact will receive a single e-mail notification from firegrants@dhs.gov; a copy of this message will be sent to the organization’s AFG Mail Center.
   This is only notification that the applicant organization will receive.
2. No preliminary questionnaires will be sent to applicants that are being considered for award. In previous years, FEMA Grants Management Specialists (GMS) distributed questionnaires to applicants that were being considered for award. From now on, GMS will contact only those applicants from whom clarifying information is needed.
3. Applicants will be required to formally ACCEPT or DECLINE their awards within 30 days of the date of notification.
   The award will not be final until the primary contact formally accepts the award using the e-Grant Application system.  Instructions on how this must be done will be provided in the Award Notice.
4. If the primary contact does not formally accept or decline the award within 30 days of award notification, the grant funds will be de-obligated automatically and returned to FEMA. 
5. BEFORE accepting an award, applicants should read the entire Award Package and Articles of Agreement carefully, with special attention to Articles 4 and 5.
   If you requested multiple activities, your award may differ from your original request because some activities may not have been recommended for funding. Read Articles 4 and 5 in your Articles of Agreement for an explanation of any special conditions or changes required. Do not formally accept the award until you understand all of these requirements. If you have questions or wish to negotiate changes to the Articles of Agreement, contact the GMS listed in the “Negotiation Comments” section of Article 4 BEFORE accepting the award.  Once you formally accept the award you are bound by its conditions and requirements.
6. If you believe you have preaward expenses or grant-writer fees that are eligible for grant funding, you must discuss these with a GMS BEFORE accepting the award to determine their eligibility.
   Furthermore, if you feel that further negotiation is required regarding your funding level, you will need to discuss that with a Grants Management Specialist prior to accepting your award.       

It is expected that AFG award announcements will begin in December 2011 and then will continue on a rolling basis into 2012 until all AFG funds have been awarded. You may want to check the AFG Mail Center for messages once a week to look the e-mail notice from firegrants@dhs.gov concerning your application. All applicants will be notified of the decision made on their submission regardless of whether they will receive an award.

• FY 2011 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grants
  Late December 2011 to late January 2012
• FY 2011 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants
  Early spring 2012