The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides funding for robust investment in American infrastructure projects. IIJA established the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides $42.45 billion of funding to achieve high-speed broadband access throughout the United States. See Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division F, Title I, Section 60101, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021) (codified at 47 U.S.C. § 1701 et seq.).
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as the agency responsible for administering the BEAD Program, provides herein guidance for Eligible Entities (States, Territories, and the District of Columbia) to ensure American taxpayers obtain the greatest value for their broadband investment or “Benefit of the Bargain” under the BEAD Program.
This Policy Notice modifies and replaces certain requirements outlined in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Each Eligible Entity must comply with this Policy Notice to gain approval of its Final Proposal from the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information.