Broadband Office Name: Wyoming Broadband Office (WBO)
BEAD Award Amount: $347.9 M
Wyoming Broadband Director: Elaina Zempel
Wyoming BEAD Program Tracker
| State | IP Vol 1 Approval | IP Vol 2 Approval | Challenge Process Submission Closed | Submitted Challenge Results to NTIA | Challenge Process Results Approved by NTIA | 1-Year Subgrantee Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyoming | Yes | No | No | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wyoming BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
Wyoming’s BEAD program has made significant progress, with its Initial Proposal Volume 1 already approved and Initial Proposal Volume 2 currently awaiting approval from the NTIA.
The state’s BEAD Challenge Submission Portal closed on June 20, 2024. Following this closure, Wyoming will enter the Rebuttal and Final Determination phases, where submitted challenges will be reviewed and addressed.
The final determinations of the challenge results will then be submitted to NTIA for approval. Once approved, these results will define the locations eligible for BEAD funding.
Wyoming BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Wyoming BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
*Information is subject to change. Wyoming is awaiting official approval of Initial Proposal Volume 2 from the NTIA.
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
The Wyoming Broadband Office (WBO) has established several goals for the BEAD program to enhance broadband access and digital inclusion across the state:
- Provide Reliable High-Speed Internet:
- Ensure all Wyoming citizens and businesses have access to reliable high-speed internet at home and in their communities.
- Support workforce training initiatives.
- Increase Broadband Subscriptions:
- Boost the number of Wyoming citizens subscribing to broadband services, including low-cost programs.
- Promote the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and broadband awareness initiatives, and expand state programs.
- Expand Access to Computing Devices:
- Increase the availability of computing devices for Wyoming citizens.
- Enhance Digital Skills:
- Equip more Wyoming citizens with the skills to use the internet and computing devices to support the economy, education, health, and other areas.
- Ensure Online Safety:
- Create a safe environment for citizens to engage with broadband-enabled devices by promoting online privacy and cybersecurity.
- Promote Internet-Enabled Government Services:
- Offer a range of internet-enabled government services that meet citizens’ needs, including providing state services online and in different languages.
Wyoming BEAD Program Project Area Design
Applicants for the BEAD program can select their own areas based on Census Block Groups (CBGs). For larger CBGs, WBO may divide them into smaller sections to ensure more precise and effective coverage. This flexibility allows applicants to target specific areas that need broadband access while enabling the WBO to manage and optimize the deployment of resources efficiently.
Wyoming BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
After receiving applications, the Estimated High Cost Per Location Threshold (EHC) will play a crucial role in determining which proposals are awarded for a given geographic unit. Once the EHC is established, a scoring rubric will be applied to identify the winning bidder in areas with overlapping proposals. This process ensures that the most cost-effective and beneficial projects are selected for broadband deployment in Wyoming.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
WBO is asking for the following preregistration evidence from subgrantees and compliance with: Financial capability, managerial capability, operational capability, technical capability, ownership info, public funding info, compliance with laws, cybersecurity/supply chain compliance, and BABA/EHP/NEPA/NHPA compliance.
Primary Scoring Criteria for Priority Broadband Projects
- 50% – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 15% – Affordability
- 10% – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 9% – Speed to Deployment
- 6% – Unserved BSLs
- 3% – Local and Tribal Coordination
- 4% – Service in Wyoming
- 3% – Natural Hazard Risk Mitigation
Other Non-Priority Projects
Primary Scoring Criteria for Non-Priority Broadband Projects
- 50% – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 15% – Affordability
- 10% – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 7% – Speed to Deployment
- 6% – Speed of Network and Other Technical Capabilities
- 3% – Unserved BSLs
- 3% – Local and Tribal Coordination
- 3% – Service in Wyoming
- 3% – Natural Hazard Risk Mitigation
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
WBO does not anticipate sub-granting BEAD funds for non-deployment activities. The focus will remain on funding projects that directly contribute to broadband deployment and expansion efforts within the state.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
WBO intends to manage several key elements of the requirements outlined in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). These elements include:
- Challenge Process: Overseeing and managing the process for addressing challenges related to broadband deployment.
- Subgrantee Applications: Handling the application process for subgrantees seeking BEAD funding.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Implementing systems to monitor the progress of funded projects and report on their outcomes.
Additionally, the state plans to engage third-party technical expertise where appropriate to support its grant administration efforts.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
WBO has developed and implemented various strategies to enhance broadband access and engage with local communities and stakeholders.
Pamphlet: “Better Broadband: An Empowered Community in 7 Steps”
- Designed to assist local officials in improving broadband access.
- Used as a resource for community engagement.
Virtual Listening Session:
- Held on April 25, 2023, specifically for local governments.
- Regular engagement with statewide organizations.
- Hosted individual meetings with the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) and the Wyoming County Commissioners Association (WCCA).
- Encouraged these entities to share drafts of the Digital Access Plans and Initial Proposal Volume 1 with their members.
Tribal Consultations:
- Conducted consultations with the two federally recognized tribes, the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone.
- Served as an informal resource for Wind River Internet (a Northern Arapaho company).
- Conducted personal outreach to Wind River Internet through the Connect Wyoming grant program.
Statewide Engagement Efforts:
- Statewide Listening Sessions: 11 sessions held.
- Regional In-Person Listening Sessions: 15 sessions held.
- One-on-One Engagements with Stakeholders: 32 engagements conducted.
- Surveys: 6 surveys conducted.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
WBO requires all BEAD subgrantees to submit the following information:
A record of past compliance with federal/employment laws:
- Must address info on deployment projects within the last 3 years.
- Certification form from an Officer/Director level employee of past compliance.
- Written confirmation that subgrantee has disclosed any violations from contractors within the last 3 years.
- Discussion of workforce plan
Plans for ensuring compliance with federal/employment laws:
- How subgrantee will ensure compliance in its labor/employment practices.
- Info on applicable wage scales, wage, and overtime practices for each class of employee expected to be involved in physical construction of the network.
- How subgrantee will ensure implementation of workplace safety committees.
- Comply with the Prevailing Wages Act.
- Other items as outlined in the BEAD NOFO.
BEAD Minority Business Enterprises / Women’s Business Enterprises / Labor Surplus Area Firms Inclusion
While Wyoming currently does not have a labor surplus area, this is expected to change by the time of the Final Proposal. WBO confirms it will take the necessary affirmative steps as outlined in the BEAD NOFO, along with additional strategies to ensure inclusive participation:
- Solicitation Lists and Outreach:
- Place qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises on solicitation lists.
- Conduct virtual outreach events to engage these businesses.
- Targeted Solicitation:
- Ensure that small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential sources.
- Dividing Requirements:
- Divide total requirements, when economically feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to maximize participation by small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises.
- Flexible Delivery Schedules:
- Establish delivery schedules that encourage participation by small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises.
- Support Services:
- Use the services and assistance of organizations such as the Small Business Administration, the Wyoming Women’s Business Center, and the Wyoming Small Business Development Center.
- Subgrantee Requirements:
- Require subgrantees to take the affirmative steps listed above in relation to subcontractors.
BEAD Cost & Barrier Reduction
1. Promoting the use of existing infrastructure.
2. Promoting and adapting dig-once policies.
3. Streamlining permitting processes.
4. Streamlining cost-effective access to poles, conduits, and easements.
5. Streamlining rights of way, including the imposition of reasonable access requirements.
BEAD Low-Cost Broadband Service Option
WBO has outlined the following details for the low-cost broadband plan as part of its BEAD program:
- Eligibility Criteria: The eligibility criteria for the low-cost plan will align with those for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
- Minimum Speeds: The plan must provide a minimum of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds, or the fastest speeds the infrastructure can support if less.
- Latency: Latency must not exceed 100 milliseconds.
- No Restrictions: The plan will have no data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
- Upgrade Option: If the subgrantee offers a low-cost plan with higher speeds, eligible subscribers will have the option to upgrade without restrictions.
- Pricing:
- $70 per month or less, exclusive of all taxes, fees, and charges for non-Tribal Land residents.
- $75 per month or less, exclusive of all taxes, fees, and charges for subscribers residing on Tribal Lands.
- Inflation Adjustments: WBO reserves the right to adjust the low-cost plan requirements to best serve Wyoming in response to inflation.
- Duration: This plan must be offered for eight years after service begins.
- ACP Participation: Subgrantee applicants must agree to participate in the ACP.
These details ensure that the low-cost plan is both affordable and accessible, providing reliable and high-quality internet service to eligible residents across Wyoming.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
WBO is implementing a two-pronged approach to ensure broadband affordability for Wyoming’s middle class:
- Scoring Subgrantee Applicants:
- Subgrantee applicants will be evaluated based on the affordability of their plans as part of their project proposals. This scoring incentivizes the submission of cost-effective plans to benefit middle-class residents.
- Rural-Urban Parity:
- Subgrantees are required to price their plans to incorporate rural-urban parity. This means that pricing for broadband services in rural areas must be comparable to those in urban areas, ensuring fair and equitable access to affordable internet across the state.
This approach ensures that broadband remains affordable and accessible to middle-class households, regardless of their location within Wyoming.