Section 001-8-4 - APPEALS PROCEDURE1. All Department grant programs shall follow the appeals process set forth in this rule chapter.2. APPEAL REQUEST: An aggrieved person (hereinafter the "petitioner") may request an appeal hearing on a grant award decision by submitting a request for appeal to the Commissioner, in writing, no later than fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of the award decision. The written request for appeal must describe the specific nature of the grievance, including the Appeal Criteria as defined in Section 5, Subsection 2 of this rule. The Commissioner shall grant an appeal hearing unless it is determined that:A. The petitioner is not an aggrieved person; orB. The written request for appeal was submitted more than fifteen (15) calendar days after notification of award.3. NOTIFICATION: Notice of the appeal proceeding shall follow the requirements of 5 M.R.S. §9051-A(2) and be provided to those entities as determined applicable by the Commissioner. The notification must include the date and location of the hearing and the name of the Hearing Officer. Appeal proceedings may be held in person, virtually, or in a hybrid format at the discretion of the Hearing Officer. Failure to appear for a scheduled hearing may be grounds for default.