Section 441.162.5. Grant dispersal stages.

Following approval of an applicant’s grant proposal by the department, the grant process shall proceed through the following stages:

       162.5(1) Completion of architectural and financial feasibility study.

        a.           An architectural and financial feasibility study shall be completed pursuant to the guidelines included in the applicable grant application package and applicable service regulations.

       (1)             For facility conversion, construction, or remodeling, the architectural plan shall provide schematic drawings at a minimum of one-eighth scale consisting of the building site plan, foundation plan, floor plan, cross section, wall sections, and exterior elevations.

       (2)             The grantee shall comply with all local, state and national codes pertaining to construction; and certification, licensure, or accreditation requirements applicable to the long-term care alternative.

       (3)             Construction documents, budget cost estimates, and related services must be rendered by a professional architect or engineer registered in Iowa.

        b.           Payment of up to $15,000 may be issued to each approved applicant to proceed with the architectural and financial feasibility study if requested in the original application. By making a request for an architectural and financial feasibility study allowance, the applicant agrees that the funds will be used solely for costs directly attributable to development of the architectural and financial review documentation associated with conversion or service development.

        c.           All grantees must submit the completed study documents within the time frame identified in the request for application together with an itemized accounting of the expenditure of any allowance funds. Any unexpended architectural and financial review allowance funds shall be returned to the department.

       162.5(2) Review of architectural and financial feasibility study. The department shall review the architectural and financial feasibility study materials and shall grant or deny approval to develop or obtain final budget estimates for the proposed project. Approval to proceed shall be granted only if the architectural and financial feasibility study supports the ability of the grantee to meet the minimum grant criteria and to complete the proposed project as set forth in the original application.

       162.5(3) Completion of final budget estimate. Grantees approved to proceed with the final budget estimate shall submit the final budget estimates, any revisions to previously submitted materials, and a request for a grant in a specific amount. The matching fund amount to be paid by the grantee must be stated in the request.

       162.5(4) Review of final budget estimate. The department shall review the final budget estimate and issue a notice of award for a grant in a specific amount if the final budget estimate supports the ability of the grantee to meet the minimum grant criteria and to complete the proposed project as set forth in the original application.