2021 Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Grants Overview

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY .Presenter: Adam Geisler, National Tribal Government Liaison Vanesscia Cresci, NTIA Broadband Specialist Gabriel Montoya, NTIA Broadband Specialist 2 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 2 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Grant Programs Overview 1 2 3 Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grants: Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Grants: Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program: Grants to expand access to and adoption of: (A) broadband service on Tribal Land; or (B) remote learning, telework, or telehealth resources during the COVID- 19 pandemic: $1 Billion. Grants for covered broadband projects, defined as competitively and technologically neutral projects for the deployment of fixed broadband service in a census block with at least one household or business that does not have access to 25/3: $300 Million. Grants to eligible recipients in anchor communities for the purchase of broadband internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel: $285 Million. *Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 3 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 3 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Tribal Consultation NTIA conducted 3 online Tribal Consultation webinars on February 5, 10, and 12, 2021 NTIA received written and oral comments from Tribal leaders, representatives, and stakeholders NTIA asked for input on the following topics: Methods for the equitable distribution of funding as part of upholding trust and treaty responsibilities Processes to address compliance with historic preservation and environmental assessment requirements How to ensure that grant funds are prioritized to unserved areas Reporting requirements to ensure they are not overly burdensome, but still allow for the public to be informed about how federal funds are being utilized. How to implement the Tribal Lands concept Link to summary: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/tribal-nations 4 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 4 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY NOFO Release Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was published on Grants.gov on June 3, 2021 5 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 5 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Tribal Outreach NTIA staff conducted made numerous calls to Tribal governments Conducted over 50 regional speaking engagements Hosted 10 webinars Created 5 Frequently Asked Questions documents Link: https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/resources/tribal-nations 6 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 6 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Summary of Applications NTIA received more than 280 applications Total of over $5 billion in funding requests Summary of potential curing needs Project narrative Indirect cost rate Budget narrative or justification Standard federal forms Link to press release: https://www.ntia.doc.gov/press-release/2021/ntia-s-tribal- broadband-connectivity-program-receives-more-280-applications-over 7 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 7 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Next steps: Application Review Process The review process is divided into three stages: 1. Initial Administrative and Eligibility Review Determine eligibility, completeness, and responsiveness to programmatic requirements 7 calendar days to cure any application deficiencies 2. Merit Review Two objective reviewers will score applications based on evaluation criteria provided in Section E.1. of NOFO 14 calendar days to cure any application deficiencies 3. Programmatic Review NTIA will review applications determined to be qualified for funding during Merit Review for conformity with programmatic objectives, requirements, and priorities 10 calendar days to cure any application deficiencies 8 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 8 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Merit Review Criteria Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Each reviewer will independently score the application based on a 100-point scale. Project Viability Project Budget & Sustainability 25 total points Project Purpose & Benefits 45 total points 30 total points Technical Approach and Related Network Planning, Capacity and Performance 20 points Reasonableness of the Budget 10 points Level of Need on Tribal Land 35 points Affordability of Services Offered 10 points Strength of Applicant s Organizational Capacity 10 points Sustainability of the Project 15 points 9 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 9 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Merit Review Criteria Broadband Infrastructure Deployment Planning, Engineering, Feasibility, and Sustainability Studies Each reviewer will independently score the application based on a 100-point scale. Project Viability Project Budget & Sustainability 25 total points Project Purpose & Benefits 45 total points 30 total points Technical Approach and Related Network Planning, Capacity and Performance 20 points Reasonableness of the Budget 10 points Level of Need on Tribal Land 35 points Affordability of Services Offered 10 points Strength of Applicant s Organizational Capacity 10 points Sustainability of the Project 15 points 10 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 10 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Merit Review Criteria Broadband Use and Adoption Each reviewer will independently score the application based on a 100-point scale. Project Viability Project Budget & Sustainability 25 total points Project Purpose & Benefits 45 total points 30 total points Operational Approach of the Proposed Project Plan 15 points Reasonableness of the Budget 10 points Level of Impact on Tribal Land 45 points Strength of Applicant s Organizational Capacity 10 points Sustainability of the Project 15 points 11 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 11 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Upcoming Dates NTIA expects to complete its review, selection of successful applicants, and award processing by late November 2021 NTIA expected the earliest start date for TBCP awards to be mid-December 2021 12 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 12 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Q&A 13 | NTIA BroadbandUSA 13 | NTIA BroadbandUSA

DRAFT | FOR DISCUSSION ONLY Contact Us . Name Title Agency Email Address National Tribal Government Liaison First Responder Network Authority Margaret Gutierrez margaret.gutierrez@firstnet.gov Broadband Program Specialist NTIA, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Crystal Hottowe chottowe@ntia.gov Broadband Program Specialist NTIA, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Vanesscia Cresci vcresci@ntia.gov National Tribal Government Liaison First Responder Network Authority Adam Geisler adam.geisler@firstnet.gov Broadband Program Specialist NTIA, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Gabe Montoya gmontoya@ntia.gov Broadband Program Specialist NTIA, Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program Nick Courtney ncourtney@ntia.gov 14 | NTIA BroadbandUSA