Broadband Office Name: Georgia Technology Authority (GTA)
BEAD Award Amount: $1.3 B
Georgia Broadband Director: Jessica Simmons
Website: broadband.georgia.gov
Georgia 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | N/A |
Georgia BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
The Georgia Technology Authority completed the Final Determination phase of the Challenge Process on June 4, 2024, and has submitted the results to the NTIA for approval.
Once the NTIA approves the Challenge Process results, Georgia will be ready to start the Subgrantee Selection Process.
Georgia BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Georgia BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
*Information is subject to change. Georgia is awaiting official approval of Initial Proposal Volume 2 from the NTIA.
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
The Georgia Technology Authority (GTA) has established the following broadband and digital connectivity goals and objectives:
- Ensure comprehensive high-speed internet accessibility.
- Empower workforce advancement and economic growth in unserved and underserved communities and population groups through broadband expansion projects.
- Bolster cybersecurity across state networks, foster a cyber-ready workforce, and establish lasting partnerships for collaborative action.
- Reduce obstacles to digital connectivity and foster an environment conducive to economic growth, academic achievement, and improved healthcare outcomes.
Georgia BEAD Program Project Area Design
Georgia anticipates offering applicants the opportunity to apply for project areas at the county level. This means all applications will be required to propose building to unserved and underserved addresses throughout entire counties. However, it is not expected that the available funds will extend to Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs).
Georgia BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
The Extremely High Cost Threshold will be determined after applications are received. Georgia will use the applications and internal cost models to establish this threshold.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
GTA 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 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 15 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Labor Standards
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 5 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 9 pts – Community and Local Government Support
- 3 pts – Connecting CAIs at a gigabit symmetrical
- 8 pts – Universality of Applications
Primary Scoring Criteria for Non-Priority Broadband Projects
- 50 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 15 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Labor Standards
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 5 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 9 pts – Community and Local Government Support
- 3 pts – Connecting CAIs at a gigabit symmetrical
- 8 pts – Speed of Network and other Technical Capabilities
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
GTA does not anticipate having non-deployment subgrantees. However, if funds are available, GTA will consider supporting additional deployment and non-deployment activities related to the following:
- Connecting unserved Multi-Dwelling Units (MDUs) with a minimum of 100/20 Mbps.
- Supporting programs that alleviate barriers to digital connectivity, enable economic empowerment, promote academic success, and enhance community health.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
GTA plans to implement key grant activities without issuing a subgrant. These activities include:
- General administration of the BEAD award.
- Oversight of BEAD subgrant applications and issuance.
- Management of other BEAD processes, such as implementing the BEAD challenge process, managing subgrantee application and issuance, obtaining software to manage both processes, and overseeing subgrantee compliance.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
Engagement Efforts by GTA
- Outreach: GTA developed an extensive stakeholder list for email, telephone, flyer, and social media outreach, notifying them about GTA/ACP campaigns and inviting them to various informative sessions. Their email list has 2,663 subscribers with a 37% open rate.
- Advisory Committees: The Broadband Advisory Committee, established in 2020, meets quarterly. In 2023, the Digital Connectivity Advisory Committee was created to identify needs and support planning development, holding monthly meetings with around 30 members.
- Community Engagement: Since winter 2022, 31 community engagement sessions were held, including 25 in-person “Let’s Connect Georgia” sessions and six virtual sessions focusing on covered populations and stakeholder organizations.
- Virtual Sessions: Held with expert stakeholders such as workforce development organizations, ISPs, local/regional governments, and CAIs.
- One-on-One/Small Group Meetings: Conducted with a range of stakeholders across various organizations, including health support, workforce, unincorporated areas, HBCUs, libraries, digital skills training, device distribution, accessibility, arts education, faith-based, financial services, and philanthropic groups.
- Conferences and Meetings: GTA spoke at 13 statewide conferences and organization meetings in 2023.
- Internet Access and Usage Survey: Conducted a phone survey with Georgia residents from April to May 2023, yielding 1,555 responses.
- Surveys and Asset Inventories: Promoted stakeholder surveys and asset inventories to organizations involved in workforce development, digital connectivity programs, CAIs, ISPs, agency asset information, and covered population barriers.
- Campaigns: Conducted ACP outreach campaigns, FCC challenges campaigns, and the Online for All campaign. GTA also organized a two-week enrollment specialist drive to assist in enrolling for ACP.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
GTA 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
Georgia maintains a list of over 3,360 certified MBE/WBE organizations and has implemented several steps to ensure their participation in procurement opportunities:
- Solicitation Lists: Place qualified small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises on solicitation lists.
- Solicitation Efforts: Ensure that small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises are solicited whenever they are potential sources. Advertise opportunities to potential MBEs, WBEs, and LSAs.
- Task Division: Divide total requirements, when feasible, into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum participation by small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises.
- Delivery Schedules: Establish delivery schedules, where the requirement permits, that encourage participation by small and minority businesses and women’s business enterprises.
- Support Services: Utilize the services and assistance of organizations such as the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). This includes collaboration with the Georgia MBDA Business Center, Georgia Tech Research Corporation, Operation Hope, Savannah State University, and the Atlanta Small Business Administration District Office.
- Subgrantee Requirements: Require subgrantees to take affirmative steps related to their subcontractors, including accepting an MBE, WBE, and LSA recruitment plan and additional documentation stating a commitment to adhering to MBE, WBE, and LSA utilization.
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
The American Community Survey reports that 92.3% of Georgia residents have internet access of some kind. However, 15% of residents without internet cite an inability to afford it as the primary reason. Currently, 38% of eligible Georgia households have enrolled in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).
In May 2023, GTA introduced a statewide initiative with EducationSuperHighway to encourage participation in ACP. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Education’s Office of Rural Education and Innovation promoted ACP awareness through its Student Connect program. Lifeline also subsidizes up to $9.25 of eligible consumers’ monthly phone or internet bills.
GTA plans to require subgrantees to offer services that meet the following criteria:
- Affordability: Priced affordably for eligible subscribers.
- Eligibility: Available to households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line.
- ACP Compatibility: Allows end users to apply for the ACP subsidy.
- Performance: Meets specified download and latency speeds.
- No Extra Charges: Not subject to data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
- Upgrades: Allows subscribers to upgrade at no cost if future plans are offered at low cost with higher speeds.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
The median household income in Georgia was $65,030 in 2021. To manage middle-class affordability, GTA plans to address the following areas of concern:
- High Subscription Costs: Small, local providers may propose low requested BEAD support but set high subscription costs.
- Installation Costs: Providers might shift drop and installation costs to consumers to recover capital expenses.
- Service Refusal: Some providers may refuse to offer services in expensive locations.
- Differential Pricing: There may be a difference in pricing between urban areas and new project areas.
