|
Broadband Stimulus Program
The American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides direct fiscal stimulus for a wide
range of initiatives designed to preserve and create jobs and promote
economic recovery.
The Broadband Stimulus
Program, with $7.2 billion in ARRA funding, is such an initiative. The
purpose of this initiative is to provide grants and loans that will expand
access to broadband services in the United States, and US Territories.
Eligibility is open to State and Local Government agencies, not-for-profit
organizations and for-profit corporations.
The RUS (Rural Utilities
Service) and NTIA (National Telecommunications and Information
Administration) will administer this program and award successful applicants
with funding in the form of grants and loans. Applications for the first
round of funding are due August 14, 2009. Applications for two subsequent
rounds of funding will be due late this year/early next year and in the
Spring/Summer of 2010. First round awards are expected in mid-November 2009
and all funds must be obligated by September 30, 2010.
Much is required in the
application process – service area maps; service offerings, performance
specifications, and pricing; PE certified system design and network diagram; project
timeline demonstrating full completion within 3 years of funding; listing of
all licenses, regulatory approvals, site and equipment leases, and
interconnection agreements; evidence of readiness and resource availability
to begin work plan within 30 to 60 days of funding; applicant viability
legal opinion; complete work plan budget and financial structure; business
case showing benefits and describing beneficiaries; demonstration that
project would not otherwise be done, but for the Stimulus Funding; and much
more. See
Outline of Application Required Information.
With over 25 years of
experience providing strategic and technical telecommunications consulting
services, The KOHL Group can provide critical support for success with the Broadband
Stimulus Program – from an initial feasibility review and proposals through plan
implementation. KOHL’s services include:
- Target Market Analysis
– needs analysis; service definition; pricing plans
- Strategic review –
go/no go; feasibility
- Evaluation of
opportunities in Last Mile and Middle Mile applications
- Technology assessment
and selection; RF Spectrum Evaluation – 700 MHz vs. alternatives;
Architecture development; Operations planning and cost analysis
- Business Case
development or review
- Project Plan
development or review
- Financial analysis:
evaluate alternative combinations of grants, loans, and outside leverage;
pro forma forecasts
- Coordination and
preparation of application and proposals through Stage 1 (Conditional
Selection) and Stage 2 (Validation) of application process
- KOHL Staff in key roles
on project team
- Subject Matter
Expertise –alternative broadband access architectures and technologies
(WiMAX, Microwave, Broadband over Power Line, Free Space Optics, WiFi, RF
Spectrum Evaluation and Selection, RF over Fiber); operations support
systems
- Evaluation and
selection of suppliers/partners
- Application review and
scoring
- Management and
technical staffing, upon award, to implement project plan
- Implementation
oversight and vendor management
contact us
|
Links:
Application
for Broadband Stimulus Funds
Broadband Stimulus - Best Information Site
Central Contractor Registration
Rural Utilities Service
(RUS) Telecommunications Program
National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
Notice of [Broadband Stimulus] Funds Availability (NoFA #1)
State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of
2009
Broadband Stimulus Application Package Outline
|
