Alabama Administrative Code
Title 585 - ALABAMA STATEWIDE NINE - ONE - ONE BOARD
Chapter 585-X-2 - BOARD OPERATIONS AND MEETINGS
Section 585-X-2-.08 - Alabama 9-1-1 Board Grant Program

(a) The Grant Program is established by the Alabama 9-1-1 Board (the Board) to provide financial assistance to Emergency Communication Districts (ECDs) based on needs in compliance with Sec. 11-98-1 et seq. Code of Ala. 1975, as amended. The purpose is to fund non-recurring costs or capital expenditures to achieve or maintain continuity and enhancement of 9-1-1 services assuring that every location in the State of Alabama has access to 9-1-1 service.

(b) At the discretion of the Board, additional operational grants may be awarded to districts outside of the regular distribution upon a showing of hardship in compliance with Sec. 11-98-5.2 Code of Ala. 1975, as amended.

(c) The grant program is funded to the extent that funds are available to the Board.

(a) Eligible Applicants:

(a) All definitions stated in Sec. 11-98-1 Code of Ala. 1975, as amended and Chapter 585-X-3 Administrative Code of Alabama are applicable, in addition to the following:

(a) The Bord will establish and advertise the application period for each grant cycle. Review of applications will take place for thirty (30) days after the application period ends, and grants, if any, will be awarded at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting after the review is completed. An application not funded in a grant cycle must be resubmitted in order to compete again in a subsequent grant cycle.

(a) The applicant must provide one original printed copy along with one electronic version of the application package with any accompanying documentation to be postmarked or delivered to the office of the Alabama 9-1-1 Board or other designated location on or before the advertised application period end date.

(b) Procurement shall be based on the ECD's governing authority's purchasing requirements and any purchasing requirements of the State of Alabama.

(c) All grant applications shall be accompanied by at least two (2) written competitive complete quotes from different vendors for grants requesting new goods or services. If the applicant is unable to provide at least two (2) quotes or the quote provided is for the continuation of an existing good or service, then an explanation as to why must be included.

(d) If two or more ECDs choose to apply jointly for a grant, each ECD will be required to submit individual components of the application detailing the funds requested by that ECD and the project components as it pertains to that ECD. Additionally, a combined grant project summary will be required detailing the entire project as well as a memorandum of understanding of all ECDs involved in the project. If an ECD applies jointly for a grant, that ECD may still apply individually for other unrelated projects.

(e) Applications must include all necessary costs (including that of any third party) required for the full implementation of the project. If the grant application award is less than the total cost of the project or the grant requires an agency match, the applying ECD will be required to provide verification of its ability to fund the difference.

(a) Grant funds must be used pursuant to Sec. 11-98-6 Code of Ala. 1975, as amended, which states how funds must be used by an ECD.

(b) Any property acquired with grant funds must be used for the direct benefit of the ECD throughout the useful life of the property.

(a) The decision to award or not award grants funds is entirely at the discretion of the Board.

(b) A Committee or working group of the Board will evaluate all complete and eligible applications submitted to the Board or its designee based on the substance of the request and make recommendations to the full Board.

(c) The Board or its designee will notify applicants within thirty (30) days after the application period ends if the application does not meet the guidelines and will identify items that need to be provided before the application will be considered by the Board or its designee.

(d) An applicant should demonstrate that it has developed an attainable plan to achieve or maintain continuity and enhancement of 9-1-1 services and priority will be given to those projects that:

(e) Since applicants must compete for available grant funds, the Board or its designee will award funds after considering the following factors:

(a) Within sixty (60) days after the application deadline, the Board or its designee will make a decision to either approve or disapprove each application. The Board or its designee may choose to modify the amount of any grant awarded by either increasing or decreasing the amount requested in the application or designating a match requirement.

(b) The Board or its designee will notify each applicant in writing of the Board's or its designee's decision regarding the application.

(a) Successful applicants must enter into a Grant Project Agreement with the Board or its designee. The Grant Project Agreement will establish the terms and conditions of the grant award.

(b) Successful applicants will be required to submit a Request for Change Form for approval prior to any changes being made to the project.

(c) Successful applicants will be required to submit regular Status Reports during the project based on the terms and conditions set forth within the Grant Project Agreement.

(a) The Board shall formulate and publish, all forms necessary to administer the Grant Program, including but not limited to, Grant Application, Grant Project Agreement, Request for Change, Status Report, and Deliberation Forms.