Changing the NOFA in Round Two

Created by Wendy Wigen (EDUCAUSE) on August 10, 2009

August 14 looms as the due date for the first round of applications in the NTIA and RUS broadband stimulus funding programs. Despite some tough times navigating the rules for the first round, there is optimism that both organizations are amenable to using round one as a learning experience. The Schools, Hospitals and Library Broadband Coalition (SHLB), of which EDUCAUSE is a member, has been gathering input from applicants, analyzing the problems with the rules, and meeting with Congressional oversight committee members in hope of making meaningful changes prior to the round two application due date scheduled for November.

Many of EDUCAUSE’s state network members are applying for funding. EDUCAUSE applauds their plans to improve and extend broadband access to anchor institutions throughout the country including higher education facilities, K-12 schools, libraries and in some cases healthcare facilities and local government. EDUCAUSE filed comments with the program suggesting that such projects are the most effective and efficient way to use the $7.2 billion dollar allocated to the program.

As we gather feedback, the following appear to be the major issues:

Neither the last mile nor the middle mile category is a good fit for networks that concentrate on connecting anchor institutions.
“Unserved” and “underserved” requirements do not apply to anchor institutions in the statute and should not apply to them in the NOFA.
Speeds used in the definition of broadband are woefully inadequate for anchor institutions.

As one possible solution to these issues, the SHLB coalition is developing a proposal that would create a third category, beside last mile and middle mile, that would contain rules tailored to networks who primarily serve anchor institutions. As a part of that effort, the EDUCAUSE policy office would like to hear from program applicants about the difficulties they faced in the application process, and how rule changes could make it easier to apply again in round two or round three.

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		Changing the NOFA in Round Two Created by Wendy Wigen (EDUCAUSE) on August 10, 2009 August 14 looms as the due date for the first round of applications in the NTIA and RUS broadband stimulus funding programs. Despite some tough times navigating the rules for the first round, there is optimism that both organizations are amenable to using round one as a learning experience. The Schools, Hospitals and Library Broadband Coalition (SHLB), of which EDUCAUSE is a member, has been gathering input from applicants, analyzing the problems with the rules, and meeting with Congressional oversight committee members in hope of making meaningful changes prior to the round two application due date scheduled for November. Many of EDUCAUSE’s state network members are applying for funding. EDUCAUSE applauds their plans to improve and extend broadband access to anchor institutions throughout the country including higher education facilities, K-12 schools, libraries and in some cases healthcare facilities and local government. EDUCAUSE filed comments with the program suggesting that such projects are the most effective and efficient way to use the $7.2 billion dollar allocated to the program. As we gather feedback, the following appear to be the major issues: Neither the last mile nor the middle mile category is a good fit for networks that concentrate on connecting anchor institutions. “Unserved” and “underserved” requirements do not apply to anchor institutions in the statute and should not apply to them in the NOFA. Speeds used in the definition of broadband are woefully inadequate for anchor institutions. As one possible solution to these issues, the SHLB coalition is developing a proposal that would create a third category, beside last mile and middle mile, that would contain rules tailored to networks who primarily serve anchor institutions. As a part of that effort, the EDUCAUSE policy office would like to hear from program applicants about the difficulties they faced in the application process, and how rule changes could make it easier to apply again in round two or round three. Washington Update \| broadband grants \| BTOP rules \| NOFA Wendy's blog Login or register to post comments 109 reads
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