Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia › Department 413 - GRANTS OF THE ONEGEORGIA AUTHORITY › Chapter 413-7 › Subject 413-7-1 - BROADBAND RURAL INITIATIVE TO DEVELOP GEORGIA'S ECONOMY › Rule 413-7-1-.08 - Review of Applications

Current through Rules and Regulations filed through June 27, 2024
(1) Upon receipt of a Preapplication under
				this program, staff will review the Preapplication for eligibility and
				conformance with basic threshold criteria. Potential applicants will then be
				notified regarding general eligibility and perceived competitiveness based on
				the information they provided. For assessments that indicate potentially
				eligible and competitive projects, the Authority and/or DCA may provide limited
				technical assistance to would-be applicants; however, in no event will the
				Authority or DCA assist in the actual writing of an application.
(2) Upon receipt of an application, the
				application shall be reviewed using the rating and selection factors specified
				in Section 413-07-1-.08(6) of these regulations, using any additional and/or
				supplemental information, data, analyses, documentation, commitments,
				assurances, etc., as may be required or requested by the Authority or DCA for
				purposes of evaluating, rating and selecting applicants under this program.
				Applications that contain insufficient information or documentation to be
				evaluated and rated may be returned to the applicant for further
				information.
(3) Staff may conduct
				site visits and hold discussions with applicants and proposed sub-recipients
				for the purposes of confirming and evaluating information contained in the
				Preapplication or Application. Staff may also consult with other appropriate
				government and private entities in the course of reviewing and evaluating
				information contained in Preapplications and/or Applications.
(4) All applications received from applicants
				will be reviewed to determine the merit of the applications and the proposed
				use of funds. The One Georgia Authority and/or DCA will rate and review all
				applications that meet the Threshold Requirements outlined in Section
				413-07-1-.08(5). Applications will be rated according to a point system. The
				maximum number of points available to an application is set at 540 points. In
				order to be fundable, an application must receive a minimum score of 325
				points. The rating criteria are outlined below.
(5)
Threshold
				Requirements
(Application must generally meet all requirements in
				order to be rated.):
A) The application is
				from eligible applicant(s).
B) The
				project takes place in an eligible county which does not currently have
				adequate broadband services.
C) The
				proposed broadband system a) is owned by a unit of local government; b) is
				owned by an authority; c) involves an intergovernmental service agreement
				between multiple jurisdictions that include two or more counties; or (d) is
				owned by a private entity seeking a low interest loan and will enter into a
				lease or lease-purchase agreement with the recipient.
D) If the proposed project involves multiple
				public ownership jurisdictions, evidence of a revenue- and cost-sharing
				agreement must be included.
E) If
				the proposed project includes the formation of a broadband public/private
				partnership (PPP), the formal PPP should include an agreement (such as a
				Memorandum of Understanding) between all parties which outlines the roles and
				responsibilities of the various partners (both public and private) throughout
				the implementation process.
F) The
				method of identifying the private sector partner may be addressed through a
				formal RFP (Request for Proposal) process established by the public partner who
				is an eligible applicant for the proposed use of funds.
G) The proposed use of funds is for eligible
				activities and will be carried out in a manner consistent with the state
				constitution, state law and in accordance with the applicants' (or
				sub-recipients') enabling legislation and authority; and
H) (Reserved.)