Broadband Office Name: Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA)
BEAD Award Amount: $272 M
Maine Broadband Director: Brian Allenby
Website: https://www.maineconnectivity.org/
Maine 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Maine BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
The Challenge Portal for Maine is now closed, and the Rebuttal Phase commenced on June 7 and ended on July 2, 2024.
In preparation for this phase, the Maine Connectivity Authority (MCA) conducted a comprehensive location analysis and processed all challenges received to verify proper submission and inclusion of the necessary evidence.
Eligible organizations had 25 calendar days, from June 7 to July 2, 2024, to submit their rebuttals to MCA.
The Final Adjudication stage of MCA’s Challenge Process will run from July 8, 2024, to August 2, 2024.
According to MCA’s website, the Pre-Qualification Period for its Subgrantee Selection Process will open in the Fall of 2024.
Maine BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Maine BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
Maine is committed to ensuring everyone in the state has access to high-speed connectivity. The primary objectives include:
- Universal High-Speed Connectivity: Every resident should have access to fast and reliable internet.
- Sustainable Infrastructure: Development of advanced communications technology that meets both current and future needs.
- Digital Economy Participation: All residents, businesses, and institutions should be able to fully engage with the digital economy.
- Efficient Use of Infrastructure: Effective and efficient utilization of existing public and private infrastructure for the public good.
The Maine Connectivity Authority, established in 2021, oversees various programs aimed at achieving these goals:
- Jumpstart Connectivity
- Get Ready Community Support Program
- Regional and Tribal Broadband Partnerships
- Connect the Ready
- Reach Me
- Partnerships for Enabling Middle Mile
Maine BEAD Program Project Area Design
MCA will identify project areas using a geospatial analysis. This process involves grouping areas based on cost, geospatial data, and technical specifications, resulting in approximately 700 distinct project areas.
As outlined in MCA’s Initial Proposal Volume 2, during the Application Qualification Period, “Applicants will also be presented with a list of draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) that will be developed as described in the previous stage and asked to indicate which they intend to apply for. Providers will submit polygon areas indicating non-binding intent to apply for BEAD funding for a given set of BSLs, which may include some or all of a draft PSA. MCA will use this input to refine the boundaries of the PSAs further.
The Final Project Service Areas will be released 30 days before the opening of Stage 4: BEAD Application Period.”
Maine BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
MCA anticipates that BEAD funds may not suffice to connect all unserved and underserved areas. Once the application window closes, the MCA will perform an optimization and sensitivity analysis. This analysis aims to project the number of unserved and underserved locations, as well as Community Anchor Institution (CAI) locations, that can be connected via Fiber to the Home (FTTH).
Inputs into MCAs modeling and analysis process to identify the EHCPLT:
- NTIA verified location data of eligible BSLs – via CostQuest Associates (CQA)
- NTIA provided Extremely High Cost Per Location Threshold tool
- Proprietary project financial data from the past five years of last-mile connectivity grant applications submitted to and awarded by MCA and its predecessor state agency, ConnectMaine, (primarily FTTH plus some alternative technologies)
- MCA GIS modeling and analysis of BEAD subgrantee project applications received
- MCA financial modeling and analysis of BEAD subgrantee project applications received, including analysis of capital and operating costs associated over the lifetime of the proposed projects
- MCA financial sensitivity analysis – to identify the highest EHCPLT level (prioritizing fiber) that will allow all eligible locations (inc. CAIs) to be served (universality)
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
MCA 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
- 40 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 25 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Labor Standards
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 3 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 3 pts – Open Access and Competitive Market Incentive
- 3 pts – Equitable Workforce Development and Job Quality
- 8 pts – Digital Equity and Inclusion Objectives
- 8 pts – Local and Tribal Coordination
Primary Scoring Criteria for Non-Priority Broadband Projects
- 40 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 25 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Labor Standards
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 4 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 2 pts – Speed of Network and Other Technical Capabilities
- 3 pts – Equitable Workforce Development and Job Quality
- 8 pts – Digital Equity and Inclusion Objectives
- 8 pts – Local and Tribal Coordination
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
MCA does not plan to subgrant funds for non-deployment activities. Instead, MCA will use existing organizational procurement protocols to engage and contract appropriate vendors as needed.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
MCA has allocated $3.44 million for direct implementation efforts. Additionally, MCA has partnered with the Maine Community College System to support Maine’s Apprenticeship Program, Career and Technical Education, and coordinated job placement programs.
Maine faces a significant workforce shortfall, with a projected need for 3,387 to 3,976 workers annually due to increased investment in broadband. To address this, several workforce activities are planned:
- Broadband Training and Certification Programs
- Initiatives to Raise Awareness of Job and Career Opportunities
- State-Level Coordination
- Leveraging Existing Partnerships and Resources
- Collaboration with Academic and Vocational Training Organizations
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
MCA funds the Regional and Tribal Broadband Partners to support community-informed broadband solutions and facilitate digital equity coalition building and plan development in each region. These partners have met monthly during the development of this plan.
The statewide planning process focuses on five major areas:
- Digital Equity
- Workforce
- Capital Markets
- Mapping
- Data Collection
Representatives from various sectors, including banking, finance, philanthropy, legal, community development financial institutions, venture capital, and executives with strategic financing experience, collaborate to provide recommendations for capital markets.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
MCA 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
MCA is committed to taking affirmative steps to support small and minority businesses, as well as women’s business enterprises. These steps include:
- Solicitation Lists: Including qualified small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises on solicitation lists.
- Targeted Solicitation: Actively soliciting small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises whenever they are potential sources.
- Dividing Requirements: Breaking down total requirements into smaller tasks or quantities, when economically feasible, to maximize participation by these businesses.
- Flexible Delivery Schedules: Establishing delivery schedules that encourage participation by small and minority businesses, and women’s business enterprises.
- Utilizing Support Services: Leveraging the services and assistance of organizations such as the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce.
- Subgrantee Requirements: Ensuring subgrantees also take the affirmative steps listed above in relation to subcontractors.
These measures aim to promote inclusivity and support diverse business participation in MCA’s projects.
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
Price:
- Monthly Rate: Eligible households can subscribe to a non-promotional rate of $30/month.
- Subsidy Use: Subscribers may use the ACP subsidy of $30/month, or $75/month for those on tribal lands, reducing the plan cost to $0.
- Duration: Subgrantees are required to offer the low-cost plan for at least five years of the BEAD-funded network’s useful life.
- Price Adjustment: Subgrantees can request an annual waiver to increase the plan price by up to 5%.
Technical Requirements:
- Speed: Minimum speeds of 100/20 Mbps.
- Latency: Round-trip latency of 100 ms.
- Plan Flexibility: Subscribers can switch to another plan with higher upload and download speeds offered by the subgrantee at no cost.
- No Restrictions: Households enrolled in the low-cost plan will not face data caps, surcharges, or usage-based throttling.
Service Installation:
- Timeline: Services must be installed within 10 calendar days of the service request.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
A standard broadband affordability benchmark is set at 2% of monthly income, which translates to $70 – $210 per middle-class household in Maine. To ensure affordable broadband access for all Maine residents, the selection process includes a scoring system that awards 29 points for affordability:
- 25 Points: Subgrantees offering symmetrical 1 Gigabit service at $70.00 or less, or at the lowest rate currently offered by the provider in other service areas, will receive 25 points.
- 4 Additional Points: Providers can earn an extra 4 points by offering the low-cost plan option to all subscribers across the state, not just those eligible.
This scoring system incentivizes providers to offer affordable high-speed internet to a broader range of residents.
