421—31.8(216A,232) Appeals.
	31.8(1) Applicants choosing to appeal funding decisions must file a written appeal with the department within ten calendar days of the written notification of the program’s funding decisions.
	31.8(2) All letters of appeal shall clearly state the reason(s) for the appeal and evidence of the reason(s) stated. Reason(s) for appeal must be based on a contention that the rules and procedures governing the funding process have not been applied properly. All appeals must clearly state in what manner the division failed to follow the rules of the selection process as governed by these administrative rules or procedures outlined in the application materials provided to all applicants by the division. The letter of appeal must also describe the remedy being sought.
	31.8(3) If an appeal is filed within the ten calendar days, the division shall not enter into a contract with any applicant involved in the application process being appealed until the department has reviewed and decided on all appeals received in accordance with the criteria in subrules 31.8(1) and 31.8(2). The department shall consider the information submitted by the appellant and relevant information from division staff when conducting the review. The review shall be conducted as expeditiously as possible so that all funds can be distributed in a timely manner.
	31.8(4) The decision of the department shall represent the final division action for the purpose of implementing Iowa Code chapter 17A.
[ARC 6101C, IAB 12/29/21, effective 2/2/22; Editorial change: IAC Supplement 6/28/23]