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Act 71 Broadband Construction Program Grant
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Request Date: 1/19/2022 1:04:11 PM
Open Date: 1/18/2022
Closing Date: 12/31/2023 12:00 PM
Intent To Bid Deadline:
Est. Dollar Value: $0.00
RFQ Number: 1192022PM1
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Vermont Community Broadband Board
112 State Street
Montpelier,
VT
05620
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Bid Type:
Request for Proposal
Locations:
State-Wide
Keywords:
Construction (Non Building)
Bid Description:
The Vermont Community Broadband Board (“Board") invites applications to finance the broadband projects of Eligible Providers that are part of a Universal Service Plan. Service providers must achieve speeds of at least 100/100 Mbps symmetrical at all on-grid underserved and unserved locations within their Universal Service Plan. Eligible applicants are (A) a Communications Union District (“CUD”); (B) a small communications carrier; or (C) an Internet service provider working in conjunction with a Communications Union District to expand broadband service to unserved and underserved locations as part of a plan to achieve universal broadband coverage in the District. Note: Under Act 71, Municipalities are not considered eligible applicants, but are encouraged to actively work with a provider to apply for funding. As provided by Sec. 2 § 8086 of Act No. 71 ("Act 71"), which became law on June 8, 2021, the purpose of the Broadband Construction Grant Program (“Program") is to provide grants to Eligible Providers (“Providers") for construction costs related to broadband projects providing service of at least 100/100 Mbps that are a part of a Universal Service Plan and meet other criteria as specified in Act 71 as well as those criteria established by the Vermont Community Broadband Board. Note: The Program is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). All ARPA funded projects must either address the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic or promote sustained economic recovery. Additional state and federal guidelines may impact the administration of this grant program. The Board reserves the right to make changes to this Program as necessary to ensure compliance with any state and federal guidelines, including revocation of grant awards.
Special Instructions:
Notice of Intent to Respond: Applicants are encouraged to notify the Board of their intent to respond to this RFP by sending an email with a subject of “Intent to Respond: RFP – Act 71 Construction – Town/CUD “ to vcbb.grants@vermont.gov. The Notice of Intent to Respond must provide full contact info and information on the proposed service area (town or Communications Union District) to which the Applicant will be proposing a Universal Service Plan. At the Applicant’s discretion, the Applicant may also submit the Eligibility Screening Pre-Proposal at this time in lieu of the Notice of Intent to Respond. Proposal Submission: Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Eligibility decisions will be made by the Staff within five (5) business days in most cases; however, in some instances, the Staff may request further information before making an eligibility decision, and it will make such a request within five (5) business days. Review of an invited proposal will be made at a future Vermont Community Broadband Board Meeting. Eligibility proposals must be submitted via a secure online form. Applicants should email vcbb.grants@vermont.gov to receive a unique login. Upon invitation for a Full Proposal, an Applicant may be provided with a unique login to be used for uploading RFP materials.
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