Section 1329.210  Eligibility for Network Cost Reimbursement

a)         Pursuant to ETSA Section 30, the Department will pay the vendor on behalf of the 9-1-1 Authorities for network costs incurred on or after January 1, 2016 for systems outside of municipalities with a population of at least 500,000 for 9-1-1 networks maintained at the applicable grade of service.

b)         Costs for 9-1-1 Authorities to exceed the applicable grade of service shall not be eligible for reimbursement unless the 9-1-1 Authority has obtained, at its own expense:

1)         a traffic study demonstrating the public safety need to exceed the applicable grade of service; and

2)         approval from the Administrator.

c)         If the Department determines there is some question as to whether a cost is directly related to the operation of the 9-1-1 network (i.e., whether it is a network cost), the Department shall confer with the Advisory Board prior to rejecting the cost for payment. 

d)         9-1-1 Authorities shall be responsible for paying the vendor any amounts billed to the Department for services provided to 9-1-1 Authorities that the Department does not pay the vendor based on a determination by the Administrator that the amounts do not represent network costs or are otherwise ineligible for reimbursement by the Department pursuant to ETSA Section 30 or this Part.