Monday morning the Marshall County Commissioners said they received a notice from FEMA that one of the claims for the flood recovery efforts is not eligible for assistance.
The City of Plymouth and Marshall County jointly hired Heavy equipment Response Coalition after the February floods. The services provided by them is not eligible for Cat A or B work and the contract was not in compliance with the federal procurement laws. If the contract is not compliant, FEMA has the discretion to deny all or part of the cost not in compliance.
The initial contract presented in February 2018 was in the total amount of $33,800 and was to be paid equally by the city and county. The amount was below the simplified acquisition threshold and there for an adequate number of quotes or bids should have been obtained. It was noted that none were solicited prior to entering into the contract with Heavy Equipment Response Coalition.
In reviewing the scope of work, FEMA determined the efforts and activities provided by Heavy Equipment Response Coalition was not considered eligible for emergency work.
On Monday the commissioners authorized the signing a withdrawal agreement that the portion of the itemized work completed by Heavy Response Coalition for the flood would not be a part of their FEMA requets.
