Illinois Administrative Code › Title 14 - COMMERCE › Part 548 - BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAMS › Subpart C - BEAD FUNDED CONNECT ILLINOIS GRANTS › Section 548.130 - Administrative Requirements

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 28, July 12, 2024
Grant opportunities and awards will be administered in a
				  manner that complies with all State and federal requirements applicable to each
				  funding opportunity, including, but not limited to, GATA, the Uniform Guidance
				  and all applicable State or federal laws or guidance (e.g., Broadband Equity,
				  Access, and Deployment Program Notice of Funding Opportunity at
https://broadbandusa.ntia.doc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/BEAD%20NOFO.pdf
).
				  Grant applicants and grantees shall review all application materials and grant
				  award documents, and shall follow the requirements listed in this
				  Section.
a) Application Process
1) The Department will post one or more
				Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on the GATA Grantee Portal (
https://grants.illinois.gov/portal/
)
				seeking applications from eligible subgrantees contingent upon available funds.
				Funding is available for one or more of the eligible project activities listed
				in Section 548.120. A single NOFO may seek applications for more than one type
				of project. Applicants shall submit their application materials by the
				deadlines set by the Department in the NOFO, which will be at least 30 days
				after the NOFO posting.
2) As part
				of the application, applicants shall provide the following information about
				the proposed project:
A) a description of the
				purpose of the grant project;
B) a
				project dashboard summarizing key activities including a description of
				activities, eligible costs, communities served, technology and infrastructure
				metrics;
C) a description of the
				overall project including network design, diagram, project costs, build-out
				timeline and milestones for project implementation, and a capital investment
				schedule evidencing complete build-out and initiation of service within four
				years of receipt of the grant;
D) a
				description of the broadband related problems and challenges facing the
				targeted communities and customers, needs and gaps, the shortcomings of
				existing solutions, challenges with prior attempts to solve the problem and how
				the project significantly solves the problem;
E) a description of the project's solution to
				the broadband related problem including the network technology, internet
				services and business strategy to drive adoption;
F) a description of the targeted
				beneficiaries of the project that addresses the location of the communities,
				market size, economic conditions of the service areas, and targeted customer
				segments, including providing information on the unserved and/or underserved
				areas (if applicable) that will be included within the scope of the
				project;
G) a description of
				anticipated social and economic benefits that will be realized by the distinct
				customer segments;
H) a narrative
				description of the organization's mission and operating history;
I) a description of the capabilities,
				experiences, and track record of the organization and its partners to
				successfully implement, operate and sustain the project including resumes for
				all key management personnel;
J) a
				description of the projects service area including a map of the proposed
				project area;
K) project impact
				statement including, but not limited to, the number of serviceable user
				segments, list of premises served, and list of interconnection
				points;
L) a narrative description
				of the specific social and economic benefits of connecting the following user
				segments: residents, businesses, community institutions, and other internet
				service providers;
M) whether the
				project is providing broadband improvements to an economically distressed
				area;
N) if applicable, the
				matching funds and demonstration of financial need;
O) evidence the organization has the
				financial capabilities to meet the obligations associated with a projection
				including certification of available funds for all project costs that exceed
				the amount of the grant, letters of credit, audited financial statements, and
				financial sustainability/pro forma analyses of the proposed project;
P) the specific activities and costs proposed
				for the grant;
Q) a requested
				budget and supporting justification of the costs requested;
R) evidence of community support for the
				project;
S) a detailed narrative
				regarding the project readiness;
T)
				a description of the project viability and sustainability including network
				capacity and scalability; and
U)
				pricing strategy, affordability and adoption assistance.
3) Applications will be accepted on an
				ongoing basis until the funds for the program are depleted or the application
				period closes, whichever comes first.