Broadband Office Name: ConnectLA
BEAD Award Amount: $1.36 B
Louisiana Broadband Director: Veneeth Iyengar
Website: https://www.connect.la.gov/
Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Louisiana BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
The Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (ConnectLA) has now moved on to the Subgrantee Selection Process, being the first state to reach this milestone.
As outlined by ConnectLA, for the Subgrantee Selection Process, “The pre-qualification window will start July 1, 2024, and conclude July 14, 2024, at 11:59 PM CST. Following the close of the prequalification period, the ConnectLA team will begin the review process, and reach out to interested parties if further clarification is needed.
The review process will last up to 30 days and conclude by August 14, 2024, after which interested parties will be notified if they have met the required criteria to participate in the program.”
Louisiana BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Louisiana BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
The Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity has outlined the following goals and objectives:
- Connect 100% of broadband serviceable locations throughout Louisiana.
- Increase broadband adoption rates by 50%
- Decrease by 15% the number of households that cannot afford broadband service and devices.
- Increase by 15% the number of literacy programs offered through broadband partners.
- Increase Louisiana’s digital skills rare by 50%.
- Scale Louisiana workforce to meet the projected shortage of nearly 8,000 jobs and cultivate the economic supply chain required to support mass infrastructure deployment in Louisiana.
Louisiana BEAD Program Project Area Design
Sub-project Areas (SPAs) have been developed by CostQuest Associates, utilizing Hex9 as the unit. Each Hex9 unit includes one or more unserved or underserved Broadband Service Locations (BSLs) or Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs). These units are clustered based on engineering characteristics and overlay areas that lack 5G service, are economically disadvantaged, and overlap with tribal areas. The funding references were created using CostQuest investment and Net Present Value (NPV) data.
Louisiana BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold (EHCT)
The establishment of the EHCT is not set up front and will only be developed as needed after round 2. An EHCT would be implemented based on specific scenarios within the state and only when necessary to enable more locations to be served, potentially using a non-fiber technology.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
ConnectLA 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
- 300 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 200 pts – Affordability
- 101 pts – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 12 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 25 pts – Economically Disadvantaged Areas
- 100 pts – Infrastructure Resiliency Commitments
- 35 pts – Number of Eligible Locations included Within a Parish
- 25 pts – Speed of Network
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
Priority 1 (20% of funds available for non-deployment): Creation of the Louisiana CASH Program to be administered by a state agency with experience executing federal programs, the program will offer a monthly subsidy for service at an established rate to internet service providers for qualifying households for fixed wireline service.
Priority 2 (80% of funds available for non-deployment):
- NTIA Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program – $2.8M
- NTIA Connecting Minority Communities Pilot – $14.4M
- FCC Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program – $946K
- FCC Connected Care Pilot Program – $80K
- FCC COVID-19 Telehealth Program Award – $2.7M
- Louisiana LCTCS Broadband Curriculum Expansion Program – $10.3M
In line with the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity, ConnectLA will consider supporting additional non-deployment activities related to the following:
- User training with respect to cybersecurity, privacy and other digital safety matters.
- Remote learning or telehealth services/facilities.
- Digital literacy/upskilling (from beginner level to advanced).
- Computerscience, coding and cybersecurity education programs.
- Implementation of Eligible Entity digital equity plans (to supplement, but not to duplicate or
supplant, planning grant funds received by the Eligible Entity in connection with the Digital
Equity Act of 2021). - Broadband sign-up assistance and programs that provide technology support.
- Multi-lingual outreach to support adoption and digital literacy.
- Prisoner education to promote pre-release digital literacy, job skills, online job acquisition skills, etc.
- Digital navigators.
- Direct subsidies for use toward broadband subscription, where the Eligible Entity shows the
subsidies will improve affordability for the end user population (and to supplement, but not to
duplicate or supplant, the subsidies provided by the Affordable Connectivity Program). - Costs associated with stakeholder engagement, including travel, capacity-building or contract
support. - Other allowable costs necessary to carrying out programmatic activities of an award, not to
include ineligible costs described in Section V.H.2 of the NOFO. - Activities related to the incorporation of “smart” technologies and capabilities into farming
practices, due to Louisiana being a heavy agriculture-producing state and the unique
competitive advantage of spearheading specific smart technologies in this sector.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
To build on a $10 million investment for fiber optics training in community and technical colleges by Governor Edwards in 2022, ConnectLA has proposed an additional $27 million to rapidly scale these efforts. The funds would be divided across 12 campuses.
Additionally, ConnectLA will require funds for key grant application processing, program management, and compliance activities.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
Active initiatives to streamline ConnectLA’s goals:
- Louisiana Optical Network Initiative (LONI): A statewide dedicated middle-mile network providing high-speed internet access to universities and institutions.
- Louisiana Wireless Internet Network (LWIN): Supports communication among all emergency responders, enhancing public sector communication and information sharing systems.
- Broadband for Everyone in Louisiana Commission: Facilitates collaboration among private sector providers, public entities, and other stakeholders to improve broadband adoption and availability, ensuring universal access to broadband service.
- Louisiana Governor’s Advisory Council: Identifies needs and issues in Louisiana’s rural communities and provides solutions to overcome challenges.
- Louisiana Association of Planning and Development Districts (LAPDD): Received an award to conduct statewide outreach and develop regional broadband priorities.
- Delta Regional Authority Broadband Mapping Project (DRA): Awarded technical assistance for the creation of a statewide speed test and mapping product.
- Legislative Additions: The GUMBO program was created in 2021 using $176.1 million in Capital Projects Funds from the American Rescue Plan.
- Acadiana Planning Commission Assessment: Found that 21% of households lack broadband access in the Acadiana area.
- Library Programs: Louisiana Statewide Digital Inclusion Pilot.
- National Digital Inclusion Alliance: Provides technical assistance.
- Louisiana Climate Action Plan: Aims to reduce roadway travel and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions.
- Based Certification State Focus List: The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) has integrated the broadband profession as a state focus.
- Digital Learning Plan: Serves as a guide for school leaders to develop a framework for technology education.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
ConnectLA 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 5 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 5 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
ConnectLA will leverage an ecosystem of agencies to spread awareness, including small business technical assistance providers, minority-serving institutions, colleges and universities, Chambers of Commerce, faith-based organizations, industry-based organizations, and local, state, and regional economic development organizations.
ConnectLA will take the following affirmative steps:
- Include MBE (Minority Business Enterprises) and WBE (Women Business Enterprises) firms on solicitation lists and send Invitations to Bid.
- Maintain a list of qualified small, minority, and female-owned businesses.
- When economically feasible, divide total requirements into smaller tasks or quantities to permit maximum participation by small businesses and MBE/WBEs.
- Establish delivery schedules that encourage participation by small businesses and MBE/WBEs where requirements permit.
- Require prime contractors to take the above affirmative steps if any subcontracts are to be let.
- Use the services and assistance of organizations such as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce.
- Set aside a percentage of subgrant funds to be awarded to MBE/WBEs.
- Include MBE/WBE criteria with additional points in the selection criteria for professional services procurement.
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
As of August 5, 2023, more than 482,000 households in Louisiana received relief from ACP – 52% of eligible locations.
Characteristics of a low-cost service option plan:
- Costs $30 per month
- Minimum 100/20 Mbps speeds
- Round trip latency is less than 100 ms
- Not subject to data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
- Allows end user to apply for ACP
- Later, if there is a low-cost plan with higher speeds, eligible subscribers can upgrade at no cost.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
The GUMBO 2.0 grant program is designed to create affordable prices through increased market competition.
- Any FTTH (Fiber to the Home) application that includes a 5-year commitment to providing 1 Gbps service for less than $100 per month will receive an additional score added to the baseline of 100.
- Any non-FTTH application that includes a 5-year commitment to offer service at 400/200 Mbps for a monthly price lower than $50 will receive additional points.
