BEAD NOFO Deep Dive

Scott Woods, former NTIA executive and Ready.net's new VP, gives insight into the historic BEAD NOFO.

Pre-application Activities: Register with the Federal System and Create Your NTIA Portal Profile

All federal grant applicants need to complete the online SAM registration process in order to get assigned a Unique Entity Identifier Number. You’ll need this number to apply for NTIA’s federal grant programs.

How To Win A Middle Mile Grant

Middle mile grant applicants must address NTIA’s program priorities and IIJA statutory requirements outlined in the NOFO and prove that they’re capable of executing.

Project Details — What you need to know, think about and include

Information about climate resiliency, labor practices, type of technology to be used, competitive landscape analysis, interconnection policy, community anchor institutions, an environmental narrative and more.

Timelines & Templates

Applicants must submit a detailed timeline, as well as detailed information about climate resiliency, environmental impact, labor practices, type of technology to be used, competitive landscape analysis, interconnection policy, community anchor institutions, and more.

The Buy American requirement

All funds made available through the Middle Mile Grant Program for broadband infrastructure must comply with the Build America, Buy America Act. Learn more about this requirement here.

Commerce’s Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions

Grant applicants also must comply with the Commerce Department’s Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions

Matching Fund Requirements

Middle Mile applicants are required to provide at least a 30 percent non-federal cost share match or request a waiver.

Lesson 1. Here Are The Keys To Succeed When Engaging With A Local Community

To gain local communities' trust, patience is key

Lesson 2: Cultivate Trust With Strategic Local Community Leaders

Win over influential local leaders to gain wider acceptance in the broader community.

Lesson 3: How to successfully execute partnership plans once you've earned local communities' trust

Providers need to stay focused to keep projects on track when executing on local broadband partnerships. Here’s how to do that.