Stafford Act § 423, as implemented by 44 C.F.R. § 206.206(c)(2), requires the grantee to review and forward an applicant’s appeal, to the RA within 60 days of receipt. The Grantee forwarded the appeal more than 16 months after receiving it. Pursuant to 44 C.F.R. § 206.206(a), the burden to substantiate appeals with documented justification falls to the applicant, who must clearly articulate its position in addition to providing supporting documentation. The Applicant has not demonstrated compliance with § 206.206(a).

: Florida’s Department of Transportation’s (Applicant) first appeal was untimely. As such, the Applicant exhausted its appeal rights prior to second appeal. The second appeal would otherwise be denied for failing to comply with 44 C.F.R. § 206.206(a) requiring the applicant to substantiate appeals with documented justification.

Stafford Act § 423. 44 C.F.R. § 206.206(a), (c)(2).