The Broadband Equity, Access, and Development Program (BEAD)

While the state broadband office, BEAM, has not yet announced its requirements for grant applicants, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has published its requirements for all grant applicants. These requirements are intended to prove a grant applicant’s financial, managerial, technical, and operational capability for a broadband project.

These documents are only necessary if you are new to broadband. If you have broadband experience, then you must prove that you have filed to the FCC a Commission Form 477 and a Broadband DATA Act form.

Companies and municipalities who have the capability to provide broadband access, can apply for State funding to provide broadband services to their communities.

Financial

Financial statements audited by an independent C.P.A.
A standby letter of credit from a bank for the same amount as your grant match and an opinion letter from a legal counsel saying that this letter of credit is not a part of your estate

Municipalities and similar public bond-issuing institutions might be able to submit different financial documents. The NTIA will provide guidance on what those documents are in the near future

Managerial

Expected business plans for the three years following the project’s completed construction
Resumes of all your key management personnel
A narrative that describes your readiness to manage a broadband network, your experience, and your qualifications
Organizational charts of all parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates, if applicable

Technical

The project’s network design, diagram, and projected costs certified by a professional engineer
The timeline for constructing the project certified by a professional engineer
A capital investment schedule certified by a professional engineer that proves your project will be constructed within four years of receiving the grant

Operational

Ownership information, if applicable
Plans/commitments you have to construct broadband elsewhere using public funds
Any type of evidence that proves you are capable of providing broadband to customers such as key personnel’s resumes and narratives from contractors

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Development Program (BEAD)

Companies and municipalities who have the capability to provide broadband access, can apply for State funding to provide broadband services to their communities.

Financial

Financial statements audited by an independent C.P.A.

A standby letter of credit from a bank for the same amount as your grant match and an opinion letter from a legal counsel saying that this letter of credit is not a part of your estate

Managerial

Expected business plans for the three years following the project’s completed construction

Resumes of all your key management personnel

A narrative that describes your readiness to manage a broadband network, your experience, and your qualifications

Organizational charts of all parent, subsidiaries, and affiliates, if applicable

Technical

The project’s network design, diagram, and projected costs certified by a professional engineer

The timeline for constructing the project certified by a professional engineer

A capital investment schedule certified by a professional engineer that proves your project will be constructed within four years of receiving the grant

Operational

Ownership information, if applicable

Plans/commitments you have to construct broadband elsewhere using public funds

Any type of evidence that proves you are capable of providing broadband to customers such as key personnel’s resumes and narratives from contractors