Program Plan
Department of Commerce - Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) Recovery Plan
Updated 05/15/2009
Objectives
Program Purpose
BTOP will provide grant support to enable consumers in unserved and underserved areas of the United States to access broadband services.
Public Benefits
Broadband serves as an important engine for economic development, enabling communities and regions to develop and expand job-creating businesses and institutions.
Measures
The measures have been revised to enrich the performance metrics for Recovery targets. In some instances, targets will not be available until additional baseline data has been collected.
| Measure | Target/Actual |
|---|
| 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
|---|
| - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Quarterly | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Outcome | | Explanation : Critical goal of Recovery Act is to preserve and create jobs. Grantees will be asked to report quarterly on at least the number and type of jobs created directly due to ARRA funding | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
[-]
Expanded broadband access -- Number of areas where service will be made available or improved, and how many homes and businesses are passed by the network | - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Quarterly | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Outcome | | Explanation : Grantees will report down to the Census block level where they are providing broadband service—as well as important data, such as speed and price of service | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
[-]
Stimulate private-sector investments | - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Quarterly | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Outcome | | Explanation : Grantees will report on the amount and types of investments generated from ARRA funded projects | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
[-]
High-speed access to "strategic institutions" | - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Quarterly | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Outcome | | Explanation : Grantees will report on new equipment and capacity as well as estimated number of end users who are currently using or forecasted to use the new infrastructure | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
[-]
Encourage broadband demand | - | - | - | - |
Measure Information
| Frequency : Quarterly | | Direction : No Data Available | | Type : Outcome | | Explanation : Grantees will report on new subscribers generated from demand-side projects | | Unit : No Data Available |
|
Schedule and Milestones
Procurement for Grants Program Assistance Services March – June 2009
Award Contract for Grants Program Support June 2009
Preparation for Initial Solicitation for Proposals April – June 2009
Publish Notice of Funds Availability June 2009*
Initial Proposal Processing and Review Sept – Dec. 2009
Initial Grant Awards Made December 2009
Second Solicitation for Proposals Oct – Dec 2009
Third Solicitation for Proposals April – June 2010
All Awards to Be Made September 2010
Milestones
| Milestone |
Completion Date |
| Award Contract for Grants Program Support |
06/30/2009 |
| Initial Grant Awards Made |
12/31/2009 |
| All Awards to Be Made |
09/30/2010 |
Projects and Activities
Activities will include awarding grants for the construction of wireline and wireless broadband networks in areas of the country with limited or no broadband access.
Review Process
BTOP’s Program Office, led by its Compliance Officer, will work closely with the Grants Office to develop formal guidance to standardize procedures for conducting quarterly desk reviews and onsite monitoring visits. NTIA is currently developing internal procedures and controls for assigning risk to grantees for the purpose of reporting and monitoring.
Cost and Performance Plan
Recovery.gov will be the primary portal where the public can find and analyze information, such as the geographic breakdown of broadband grants and the amount of funds awarded to recipients. Additional information will be made available on NTIA’s BTOP website.
Energy Efficiency Spending Plans
The BTOP is exploring ways to become less reliant on paper-based grant making and to make more of its interaction with applicants and grantees electronic. To the extent BTOP acquires supplies and services using Recovery Act funds, the program will comply with the requirements of FAR Part 23 to acquire energy- and water-efficient products and services, and products that use renewable energy technology where possible.
Program Plan Award Types
No Data Available