Avoid these fire grant deposit form pitfalls

It is definitely spring and the flowers and the buds on trees are starting to pop up everywhere. Also starting to pop up in your FEMA mail center are 1199A forms for 2015 AFG grants. This actually started to occur at the beginning of this month.

For those who are neophytes to grant writing, the 1199A is a form used by federal government agencies to complete the direct deposit of federal funds into your department's bank account. When you receive this form it is an indication that your grant is under final review for award.

For some, finding the 1199A is going to be easy; for others, it may be a little more difficult. Here are the general steps to follow to access this information.

First sign into your FEMA account. Then, go into the AFG application for 2015 Assistance to Firefighters grant and find the drop-down menu under the Actions column to the far right of the matrix. From the drop-down menu, select "View 1199A" and click "Go."

Next you will see a direct deposit sign up form. Complete the 1199A form with your correct banking information. Please make sure the information on this form matches the information on your FEMA profile, your SAM registration and your DUNS account. Then click "Save" and "Continue" in the bottom left corner of your screen.

Next click "Print" and take this form to the bank whose account information you have listed on this document to obtain their signature. Make sure your application number is on the form after your bank has filled out their portion.

Then fax a copy to FEMA at (202) 786-9905. Keep the original form in your grant files for future reference. After the faxed version of your 1199A form is reviewed, you should receive an e-mail from FEMA indicating the form has been approved.

Previous grant awards
Where things become a little different is if you have been funded by AFG in the past. In this case go to the last year that your department was awarded an AFG grant and find the drop-down menu under the Actions column to the far right of the matrix.

From the drop-down menu, select "View 1199A" and click "Go." Next you will see your direct deposit sign up form. At the top of the form there should be a listing of all of your previous award numbers and a new award number with the year 2015 listed.

If this is the case, check the 1199A form to be sure it has your correct banking information. Please make sure the information matches that on your FEMA profile, SAM registration and DUNS account. If the form is correct print it, take it to your bank for a signature and fax it to FEMA.

If you cannot find your 1199A, do not search the Internet for one, complete it and fax it to FEMA. There are several versions of the 1199A form found online.

There are also companies trying to sell 1199As. Do not pay for this document. It is free if you access it correctly. If you complete and fax the wrong version of this form your award will be delayed until the proper form is received.

This may all seem overly simple. However, missing any of these small details can delay or derail your grant award — and that would be like a snowstorm in spring.