[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 86 (Monday, May 4, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 26492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-09388]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Indian Affairs

[201D0102DR/DS5A300000/DR.5A311.IA000118]


National Tribal Broadband Grant; Extension of Application 
Deadline

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Bureau of Indian Affairs published a document in the 
Federal Register of February 10, 2020, that announced a grant funding 
opportunity for Tribes to hire consultants to perform feasibility 
studies for deployment or expansion of high-speed internet (broadband) 
transmitted, variously, through digital subscriber line (DSL), cable 
modem, fiber, wireless, satellite and broadband over power lines (BPL). 
This notice extends the application deadline.

DATES: Applications and mandatory attachments will be accepted until 
11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, June 15, 2020. Applications and mandatory 
attachments received after this time and date stamp will not be 
considered by the Awarding Official.

ADDRESSES: Applicants must submit a completed Application for Federal 
Assistance SF-424 and the Project Narrative Attachment form in a single 
email to [email protected], Attention: Ms. Jo Ann Metcalfe, 
Certified Grant Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. James R. West, National Tribal 
Broadband Grant (NTBG) Manager, Office of Indian Energy and Economic 
Development, Room 6049-B, 12220 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia 
20191; telephone: (202) 595-4766; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 10, 2020, the Office of Indian 
Energy and Economic Development (IEED), Office of the Assistant 
Secretary--Indian Affairs, published a solicitation for proposals from 
Indian Tribes, as defined at 25 U.S.C. 5304(e), for grant funding to 
hire consultants to perform feasibility studies for deployment or 
expansion of broadband transmitted, variously, through DSL, cable 
modem, fiber, wireless, satellite, and BPL (85 FR 7580). This notice 
announced an application deadline of May 8, 2020. The deadline has been 
extended from May 8, 2020, to June 15, 2020 due to the COVI-19 crisis.
    National Tribal Broadband Grants (NTBG) may be used to fund an 
assessment of the current broadband services, if any, that are 
available to an applicant's community; an engineering assessment of new 
or expanded broadband services; an estimate of the cost of building or 
expanding a broadband network; a determination of the transmission 
medium(s) that will be employed; identification of potential funding 
and/or financing for the network; and consideration of financial and 
practical risks associated with developing a broadband network.
    The purpose of the NTBG is to improve the quality of life, spur 
economic development and commercial activity, create opportunities for 
self-employment, enhance educational resources and remote learning 
opportunities, and meet emergency and law enforcement needs by bringing 
broadband services to Native American communities that lack them.
    Feasibility studies funded through NTBG will assist Tribes to make 
informed decisions regarding deployment or expansion of broadband in 
their communities.
    Award Ceiling: 50,000.
    Award Floor: 40,000.
    CFDA Numbers: 15.032.
    Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No.
    Number of Awards: 25-30.
    Category: Communications.
    Authority: This is a discretionary grant program authorized under 
the Snyder Act (25 U.S.C.13) and the Further Consolidated 
Appropriations Act 2020 (Pub. L. 116-94). The Snyder Act authorizes the 
BIA to expend such moneys as Congress may appropriate for the benefit, 
care, and assistance of Indians for the purposes listed in the Act. 
Broadband deployment or expansion facilitates two of the purposes 
listed in the Snyder Act: ``General support and civilization, including 
education'' and ``industrial assistance and advancement.'' The Further 
Consolidated Appropriations Act 2020 authorizes the BIA to ``carry out 
the operation of Indian programs by direct expenditure, contracts, 
cooperative agreements, compacts, and grants, either directly or in 
cooperation with States and other organizations.''

Tara Sweeney,
Assistant Secretary--Indian Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2020-09388 Filed 5-1-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4337-15-P