[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 174 (Thursday, September 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46573-46574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-21797]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 0908061222-91268-03]
RIN 0660-ZA29


State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of funds availability; clarification of period of 
performance.

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SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce, publishes this Notice to provide 
clarification regarding the period of performance for awards under the 
State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program as set forth in the 
Notice of Funds Availability and Solicitation of Applications (NOFA) 
published on July 8, 2009.

DATES: NTIA implements this notice as of September 10, 2009. All 
amended budgets must be submitted to NTIA no later than 11:59 p.m. ET 
on September 15, 2009, as more fully described in this Notice.

ADDRESSES: All amended budgets must be submitted through the online 
Grants.gov system. NTIA requests that Applicants also submit a courtesy 
copy to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anne W. Neville, Program Director, 
State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, National 
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room 4716, Washington, DC

[[Page 46574]]

20230; by telephone at (202) 482-4949 or via electronic mail at 
[email protected]. Information about the State Broadband 
Data and Development Grant Program can also be obtained electronically 
via the Internet at http://www.broadbandusa.gov/broadband_mapping.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 8, 2009, NTIA published a Notice of 
Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register to announce the 
availability of funds for the State Broadband Data and Development 
Grant Program pursuant to the authority provided in the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), Public Law 111-5, 
123 Stat. 115 (2009), and the Broadband Data Improvement Act (BDIA), 
Title I, Public Law 110-385, 122 Stat. 4096 (2008).\1\ In the NOFA, 
NTIA provided that the period of performance for awards under the 
Program would be five years from the date of award.\2\
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    \1\ State Broadband Data and Development Grant Program, Notice 
of Funds Availability and Solicitation of Applications, 74 FR 32545 
(July 8, 2009) (NOFA).
    \2\ 74 FR 32550.
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    NTIA's highest priority with respect to this Program is to 
facilitate the development and maintenance of a national broadband map. 
The Agency seeks to develop the map in such a way that encourages 
continually improved data collection efforts while maintaining fiscal 
responsibility, resulting in a map that meets the requirements of 
Congress and the needs of all stakeholders, including policymakers and 
consumers. To that end, NTIA has determined that it will at this time 
fund mapping and data collection efforts for two years and will assess 
lessons learned, determine best practices, and investigate 
opportunities for improved data collection prior to obligating funding 
for subsequent years. NTIA now clarifies that the initial period of 
performance for funds allocated to Broadband Mapping purposes will be 
two (2) years from the date of award and any subsequent funding will be 
subject to and contingent upon the agency's review of program 
priorities and the availability of funds.
    NTIA will review and negotiate awards based on the five-year budget 
that applicants have already submitted. In light of this clarification, 
however, NTIA will allow an applicant to submit a new budget on SF 424A 
reflecting any revisions necessary for the first two years of the award 
period (2009-2010, 2010-2011). Any revised budget must be submitted no 
later than 11:59 p.m. on September 15, 2009, through the online 
Grants.gov system. NTIA requests that Applicants also submit a courtesy 
copy to [email protected].
    The period of performance for funds allocated to Broadband Planning 
purposes will remain five (5) years from the date of award. All other 
requirements provided in the Notice published on July 8, 2009, remain 
unchanged.

    Dated: September 4, 2009.
Lawrence E. Strickling,
Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information.
[FR Doc. E9-21797 Filed 9-9-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3560-60-P