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# High-speed internet contracting opportunities 

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## Content

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## Quick takeaways

                  - Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) invests $42 billion in high-speed internet deployment, installation, and implementation for all Americans.
                  - Deployment, installation and implementation require the work of small businesses. Your firm may be eligible for a contract.  Stay updated on your state’s funding .
                  - Your firm can take advantage of SBA resources to be contract ready.  

## About high-speed internet contracting opportunities

###         Background      

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) allocates $42 billion to the BEAD program, the largest internet investment in history. 8.5 million households and small businessesare in areas where there is no high-speed internet infrastructure, and millions more struggle with limited or unreliable internet options. 

Every state received a minimum of $107 million in BEAD funding. With these allocations and other Biden administration investments, all 50 states, DC, and the territories now have the resources to connect every resident and small business to reliable, affordable high-speed internet by 2030. 

In addition to helping connect everyone in America to high-speed internet, this funding will support manufacturing jobs and crowd in private sector investment by using materials Made in America. Small businesses stand to benefit not only as contractors and subcontractors to facilitate this expansion, but will also have expanded access to customers, employees, and suppliers through better internet access so they can thrive in all parts of the country. 

BEAD grants are being allocated to broadband offices in each U.S. state and territory in order to:
                        - Plan activities to promote universal broadband infrastructure deployment
                        - Deploy or upgrade broadband infrastructure
                        - Install broadband infrastructure and Internet access (e.g., Wi-Fi) in multi-tenant buildings
                        - Implement broadband adoption and use programs to promote digital equity
                        - Implement programs to promote broadband workforce development and related job training

###         Why do these contracts matter for my small business?       

BEAD deployment requires the work of small businesses to be successful. This is a $42 billion investment. It could provide a significant contracting opportunity for your small business.

###         Is my small business eligible to participate?      

There may be contracting or subcontracting opportunities available to you if your small business provides: 
                        - Equipment operators, including                             - Construction equipment
                          - Crane equipment operators
                          - Industrial equipment operators 
                        - Fiber and wireless technicians, including                             - Industrial aerial installers and repairers
                          - Radio and base station installers 
                          - Fiber technicians
                          - Splicing and wireless technicians 
                          - Foremen supervisors 
                        - Inspectors, including                             - Health and safety inspectors
                          - Environmental permit inspectors 
                        - Laborers and material movers
                        - Master and stage electricians
                        - Network architects and coordinators
                        - Radio Frequency & field engineers, including                             - Telecommunications hardware engineers 
                        - Environmental and Historic Preservation consultants
                        - Structural engineers, including                             - Civil and structural engineers
                          - Tower engineering technicians 
                        - Surveyors and drafters, including                             - Construction drafters
                          - Land surveyors and mapmakers
                          - Surveying and map technicians 
                        - Trenchers
                        - Trucking crew, including                             - Supervisors of crane and trucking crews 

BEAD funding prioritizes unserved locations that have either:
                        - No internet access 
                        - Only have access to service under 25/3 Mbps
                        - Only have access to service under 100/20 Mbps

In 2024, each state and territory will finalize the map of locations that are eligible for BEAD funding.  In early 2024, the broadband office for each state/territory will publish draft and final maps of eligible locations.

###         Key next steps for my small business      

Connect with your state broadband office to stay up to date on BEAD funding in your area. Your state broadband office will facilitate the BEAD sub-granting process in your state. They will also have a list of the awarded subgrantees and projects by state/territory. This can help you identify contract opportunities contracts in your state.

## How SBA can help your business

### Coaching and training

SBA provides counseling, training, and technical assistance. These are meant to help businesses improve their contracting capabilities. 

### Financing

SBA guarantees small business loans for payroll and contract start-up costs. These may be relevant for your small business. Ex: Federal contractors typically get paid 45 – 60 days after contract start. Employees are usually paid every 15 days. 

### Surety bonds

Surety bonds provide the customer with a guarantee that the work will be completed. This helps small businesses win contracts. Many public and private contracts require surety bonds. Surety bonds are offered by surety companies. SBA guarantees surety bonds for certain surety companies. This allows these companies to offer surety bonds to small businesses that might not otherwise get them. Eligible businesses include: 
                  - Small businesses according to SBA’s size standards
                  - Small businesses with a small contract up to $9M for non-federal contracts and up to $14M for federal contracts
                  - Small businesses that meet the surety company’s credit, capacity, and character requirements. 

Find surety bond agencies in your state.