OBD Office Hours April 1: Detailed questions about BEAD the applications

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The Office of Broadband Development Office hour today was spent with question about the nitty gritty of filling out the applications. People had detailed questions but that seem like a good sign of interest. Below are notes from the session.

 

Highlights from Comments

  • The Contractor Directory may be available tomorrow.

Questions from the Chat

  • Resources and portal access are available on the OBD BEAD webpage including newly updated resources like the Version 1.1 BEAD Application User Guide and BEAD Affidavit Template
  • Continue to complete the Minnesota BEAD Contractor Directory Form. The first directory list will be posted to the website on Wednesday 4/2 and updated weekly moving forward.
  • Please continue to submit BEAD FAQs through the online form, available here: https://forms.office.com/g/jE9EC1Zzpv
  • Register for the next office hours, April 8 here
  • NEW, Application Information Session, 11b, Tuesday May 6, register here
  • Another question on PE Cert. Assuming these pieces need to be submitted in the application regardless of if they have a stamp or not (since you confirmed PE cert isn’t needed until provisional award)?
  • wait – what?  I’m confused?  The PE Certification is not required with application submission??   but rather if and only if a preliminary award is made??
  • Under question 51: 51. Upload other supporting documentation for your application: This is for required or supporting application documents including Application Workbook, PE Certified Design Plan, Match commitments. Budget Schedule Proforma Pricing workbook is required for application evaluation. Preliminarily awarded applicants must provide the following items certified by a Professional Engineer (PE) stating that the proposed network can deliver broadband service that meets the requisite performance requirements to all locations served by the project: A network design and diagram; Detailed project costs; Build-out timeline and milestones for project implementation; and A capital investment schedule evidencing complete build-out and the initiation of service within four years of the date on which the entity receives the subgrant. Financial Match Commitments from a third party NOTE: For all third-party or partner matches in Section 5 question 17, you must upload evidence of the match commitment (Resolution, Meeting minutes, Commitment letter, etc.) here. NOTE: For all third-party or partner matches in Section 5 question 17, you must upload evidence of the match commitment (Resolution, Meeting minutes, Commitment letter, etc.) here.

Questions from the session

Is there a maximum subsidy per grant?
We were aiming for $10M cap – but a waiver request might take care of it. Also you can get a waiver for 100 percent; normally it’s 75 percent for high cost areas.

To confirm your prior comment.  If a subsidy request is $10M+ you are asking that a waiver be prepared (using the standard waiver form (tcm1045-672669)?

For an upload of geospatial map – what formats can we use.
We can let you know if we can’t get it after you upload.

Regarding the application – how detailed to do you want the financials? Is there a template?
Yes. BEAD applicant resources list in the application guide.

Where can we find the BEAD Approved Contractor List
https://mn.gov/deed/programs-services/broadband/bead/

Is there a question about BABA certification?
It was in the prequalification. Proforma is in Question 51

In your FAQ it says PE Cert isn’t required until provisional award?
Correct

Do you need a PE stamp for every project?
Probably just one. Just need to demonstrate that you’ve had an engineer design the project

Will there be partial awards.  For example if we submit for a large area, will we be selected for only a portion?
Maybe – especially if there are multiple applications for a given area.

In addition to the network form upload. Preliminarily awarded applicants must provide the following items certified by a Professional Engineer (PE) stating that the proposed network can deliver broadband service that meets the requisite performance requirements to all locations served by the project: • A network design and diagram; • Detailed project costs; • Build-out timeline and milestones for project implementation; and • A capital investment schedule evidencing complete build-out and the initiation of service within four years of the date on which the entity receives the subgrant.
Yes

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