Broadband Office Name: Delaware Broadband Office (DBO)
BEAD Award Amount: $107.7 M
Deleware Broadband Director: Roddy Flynn
Website: https://broadband.delaware.gov/
Delaware BEAD Program Tracker
| State | IP Vol 1 Approval | IP Vol 2 Approval | Challenge Process Submission Closed | Challenge Process Final Determination Phase Completed | 1-Year Subgrantee Selection Process |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Delaware BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
On May 2, 2024, NTIA approved the Delaware Broadband Office’s (DBO) BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2. This authorizes the DBO to begin the Subgrantee Selection Process. The DBO requested applicants to submit Prequalification Materials by 5:00 PM on Tuesday, July 9, 2024.
This process will end with subgrant awards to qualified entities to build high-speed internet infrastructure and bring service to every unserved and underserved location in Delaware.
Delaware BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Delaware BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
The Delaware Broadband Initiative (DBI) has established the following primary objectives for the BEAD program:
- Serving 100% of unserved and undersved locations within 5 years.
- Delivering gigabit connection to certain CAIs that do not have that level of service within 5 years.
Should funds remail, Delaware will focus on:
- Constructing line extensions to unserved and underserved residences that are determined to be extremely high-cost locations.
- Upgrading internal wiring in MDUs that were not already declared unserved/underserved.
- Other digital equity initiatives, developed through community engagement and the Digital Equity Act Plan.
Delaware BEAD Program Project Area Design
Delaware will determine geographic areas based on census tracts or other natural boundaries/infrastructure.
The geographic areas will also take into account potential for competition, locations and proximity of unserved and underserved units, economic viability and technical efficiency, and community needs. Cost modeling will also be in consideration.
Delaware BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
DBI believes it is possible Delaware will not need to set an EHC and will be able to serve all unserved and underserved locations with fiber to the premises. Any decision on the threshold will be purely cost based, and a decision will be made after the first round of funding applications.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
DBI 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 (75%)
- 35% – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 21% – Affordability
- 25% – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria (19%)
- 19% – Speed to Deployment
Other Last-Mile Projects
Primary Scoring Criteria for Priority Broadband Projects (75%)
- 35% – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 21% – Affordability
- 25% – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria (25%)
- 9.5% – Speed to Deployment
- 9.5% – Speed of Network
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
There is a small chance DTI will have additional funds after issuing broadband grants.
Delaware anticipates that it may need to use a faster process to support any non-deployment activities any remaining funds. This means that the State may need to engage in any non-deployment activities directly through DTI, its contractors, or other State offices.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
DBI plans to implement key grant activities without issuing a subgrant:
- General administration of the BEAD award.
- Oversight of BEAD subgrant applications and issuance.
- Other BEAD management processes – Implementing the BEAD challenge process, managing the process for subgrantee application and issuance, obtaining software to manage both processes, and overseeing subgrantee compliance.
DBI may use its funds to continue its mapping and data collection efforts.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
DBI developed an inclusive engagement model to facilitate feedback on the creation of this Plan from diverse stakeholder groups throughout Delaware, utilizing its existing relationship with Delaware stakeholders to identify and engage with private individuals, community anchor institutions, elected officials, faith-based communities, rural communities, labor unions, industry entities, civil rights organizations, small businesses, and the unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities of Delaware.
In total, over 500 representatives were invited to attend DBI’s engagements.
The stakeholder engagement effort comprised of:
- Email outreach.
- 19 statewide, townhall-style meeting with a complete range of stakeholders .
- Over a dozen public presentations at meetings hosted by stakeholder groups.
- Over 80 one-on-one and small group meetings.
- A phone survey of Delaware residents.
- Written stakeholder surveys, including a Digital Equity Needs Assessment survey made available on DTI’s website for both stakeholders and the public.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
DBI 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
The Division of Small Business’s Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) expands economic opportunities for these enterprises through advocacy efforts like connecting owners with resources and OSD certification. The certification offers more visibility for business with under-threshold spend opportunities. DTI will work with OSD to ensure prospective subgrantees are aware of qualified MBEs, WBEs, and LSAFs.
In 2021, Delaware saw an increase of 43.3% in total spending for MWBEs for a total of $679.3M.
- More than 791 MBEs and WBEs being registered in the state.
- Small businesses make up 98% if Delaware State businesses and employ 47% of Delaware’s private sector workforce.
OSD will provide regional MWBE business development events and outreach, including training sessions, webinars, mentorship opportunities, and programs aimed at connecting MWBEs with Delaware state agencies, authorities, and contracting opportunities.
DTI will make request smaller, more manageable and establish delivery schedule to maximize participation by these enterprises.
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
Subgrantees are required to participate in ACP and Lifeline, along with the following:
- Informs prospective consumers of the existence benefit programs.
- Speeds of 100/20.
- Provides typical latency measurements of no more than 100 milliseconds.
- Is not subject to data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
- Free upgrade if provider later offers better service.
- Broadband consumer labels.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
The median household income in Delaware was $72,724 in 2021.
DTI plans to manage middle-class affordability for BEAD by addressing the following areas of risk:
- High pricing for fast service: providers are encouraged to provide cost-effective, high-speed service to consumers.
- Providers shifts drop and installation costs to the consumer to recover capitals costs: DTI expects this risk to be mitigated by expanding competition in rural areas from 5G home internet and LEO satellite options.
- Providers refuse to provide service to expensive locations.
- Differential pricing between urban and new project areas.
