Broadband Office Name: ConnectRI
BEAD Award Amount: $108.7 M
Rhode Island Broadband Director: Brian Thorn
Rhode Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | Yes | No | No | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Rhode Island BEAD Program Information
Key Updates
Rhode Island has received approval for their Initial Proposal Volume 1 and is awaiting NTIA approval for Initial Proposal Volume 2.
The state is currently conducting its State BEAD Challenge Process. The Challenge Portal opened on May 29, 2024, and will close on July 6, 2024.
Rhode Island BEAD Program Plans & Maps
Rhode Island BEAD Program Initial Proposal Volume 2: Overview
*Information is subject to change. Rhode Island is awaiting official approval of Initial Proposal Volume 2 from the NTIA.
BEAD Long-Term Objectives
1. Expand Fiber Infrastructure in the State:
- Enhance the reach and quality of fiber infrastructure to ensure robust and high-speed internet access across Rhode Island.
2. Eliminate Cost as a Barrier:
- Ensure broadband services are affordable for all residents, removing financial obstacles to internet access.
3. Foster an Inclusive Digital Advancement Ecosystem:
- Cultivating Strong Implementation Partners: Build and maintain partnerships with key stakeholders and organizations.
- Meeting Communities Where They Are: Engage with communities in a manner that respects their unique needs and circumstances.
- Pacing and Prioritizing Actions for Impact: Strategically prioritize initiatives to maximize their impact.
- Building and Maintaining Reliable Data Systems for Decision Making: Use accurate and up-to-date data to guide decisions and measure progress.
4. Maximize Funding Allocation:
- Focus on universal service and affordability to ensure that funding is used effectively to provide broadband access to all residents.
5. Cultivate Strong Implementation Partnerships:
- Develop and sustain partnerships with organizations and stakeholders to support the implementation of broadband initiatives.
6. Promote Community Engagement:
- Encourage active community involvement and input in broadband planning and deployment processes.
7. Drive Economic and Workforce Development:
- Leverage broadband expansion to stimulate economic growth and enhance workforce development opportunities throughout the state.
Rhode Island BEAD Program Project Area Design
The design of project areas for Rhode Island’s BEAD program is currently undetermined. However, there is consideration of using census-equivalent municipal boundaries to create Project Area Units (PAUs). This approach aims to align project areas with existing administrative and geographic boundaries, ensuring clarity and consistency in the deployment of broadband infrastructure.
Rhode Island BEAD Program Extremely High Cost Threshold
Rhode Island will determine the Extremely High Cost Per Location Threshold (EHC) after receiving all grant applications. This threshold will be used to efficiently allocate BEAD funding based on the details provided in the applications. By analyzing the costs and project scopes, Rhode Island aims to maximize the impact of its broadband funding, ensuring that resources are directed toward the most cost-effective and impactful projects.
BEAD Deployment Subgrantee Selection
Rhode Island 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
- 30 pts – Minimal BEAD Outlay
- 35 pts – Affordability
- 10 pts – Fair Labor Practices
Secondary Scoring Criteria
- 4 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 6 pts – Equitable Workforce Development and Job Quality
- 6 pts – Open Access
- 6 pts – Local and Tribal Coordination
- 3 pts – Network Resilience
Additional Secondary Scoring Criteria for Other Last-Mile Projects
- 4 pts – Speed to Deployment
- 3 pts – Speed of Network and Other Capabilities
BEAD Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
Rhode Island’s non-deployment initiatives will address a broad range of needs to support digital inclusion and equity:
- Training Programs:
- Provide training in digital skills, computer science, and cybersecurity to enhance residents’ proficiency and employability in the digital economy.
- Access to Remote/Online Services:
- Facilitate access to essential remote and online services, including:
- Online learning
- Telehealth services
- Reentry programming for individuals transitioning back into the community
- Facilitate access to essential remote and online services, including:
- Supplementing Digital Equity Plan Activities:
- Supplement activities identified in the upcoming Digital Equity Plan to ensure comprehensive support for digital inclusion efforts.
- Direct Subsidies for Broadband Subscriptions:
- Offer direct subsidies to help improve affordability for broadband subscriptions, making internet access more attainable for the end-user population.
BEAD Eligible Entity Implementation
The Corporation expects to subgrant most types of non-deployment activities. However, it will directly implement the following activities:
- General Administration of the Grant:
- Oversee and manage the overall administration of the BEAD grant.
- Implementation of the Challenge Process:
- Develop and execute the process for addressing challenges related to broadband deployment.
- Design and Implementation of the Subgrantee Selection Process:
- Create and manage the process for selecting subgrantees for various initiatives.
- Ongoing Monitoring, Reporting, and Performance Management:
- Conduct continuous monitoring and reporting.
- Manage performance, including ensuring subgrantee compliance with program requirements.
- Data Collection, Analysis, and Mapping:
- Collect, analyze, and map data to inform decision-making and measure progress.
- Stakeholder Engagement:
- Engage with stakeholders to gather input, provide updates, and foster collaboration.
- Activities Related to the Grant/BEAD Program Closeout Process:
- Implement activities necessary for the closeout process of the grant and BEAD program.
BEAD Local, Tribe, and Regional Broadband Planning Process
Tribal Engagement:
- Despite multiple attempts, all efforts to contact the Narragansett Indian Tribe have been unsuccessful.
Community Initiatives:
- Town of New Shoreham’s Broadband BI:
- Rhode Island’s first municipally owned fiber-to-the-home network.
- As of June 2023, all locations on Block Island have access to service via Broadband BI.
- Aquidneck Island Planning Committee (AICP):
- The AICP is interested in developing alternatives to the current broadband networks on Aquidneck Island.
BEAD Labor Standards & Protection
The Corporation 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 Corporation will implement the following activities to ensure the inclusion and participation of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in the BEAD program:
- Solicitation Lists:
- Place qualified MBEs and WBEs on solicitation lists to ensure they are considered for relevant opportunities.
- Targeted Solicitation:
- Ensure MBEs and WBEs are solicited whenever they are potential sources for contracts or subcontracts.
- Dividing Requirements:
- Divide total requirements into smaller tasks or quantities, when economically feasible, to facilitate maximum participation by MBEs and WBEs.
- Delivery Schedules:
- Establish delivery schedules that encourage participation by MBEs and WBEs.
- Support Services:
- Utilize the services and assistance of organizations such as the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce, and the SBA Mentor-Protégé program.
- Subgrantee Requirements:
- Require each subgrantee to take these affirmative steps to include MBEs and WBEs in their projects.
- Marketing:
- Actively market the BEAD program to MBEs and WBEs to raise awareness and encourage their participation.
- Procurement Value:
- Track and aim to increase the percentage of the dollar value of procurements or projects awarded to MBEs and WBEs.
- Compliance Monitoring and Data Tracking:
- Ensure compliance with monitoring and data tracking for subgrantees on the utilization of MBE/WBE firms.
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 Corporation will adopt the example low-cost broadband service option as defined in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Requirements for Subgrantees:
- All subgrantees will be required to participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or any successor program.
BEAD Middle-Class Affordability
The Corporation has designed the Deployment Projects Subgrantee Selection Process and Scoring Approach to place a strong emphasis on affordability. This criterion has the largest impact on a proposer’s potential score.
By prioritizing affordability, the Corporation aims to ensure that broadband services remain accessible and cost-effective for all residents, thereby enhancing the overall effectiveness and reach of the BEAD program in Rhode Island.