United States Department of Agriculture Distance Learning, Telemedicine and Broadband Program

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome

Federal Notice of Funds Availability: http://www/broadbandusa.gov

Phase One Funding Availability: $1.4 Billion

$2.5 Billion

This is a discretionary competitive program. USDA will issue an RFP 
to solicit proposals from public and private entities.

Public and private entities (for-profit, not-for-profit, or institutions) who provide telephone or broadband services in rural areas.

The USDA will grant the awards directly. 

No deadline has been stated by the USDA as of this date.

The USDA has not issued reporting requirements. 

CIO/OFT

http://www.cio.ny.gov 

Melodie Mayberry-Stewart

melodie.mayberry.stewart@cio.ny.gov

518-408-2140

Sharon Cates-Williams

sharon.cates-williams@cio.ny.gov 

518-473-9450

Program Goals:  To provide broadband service to areas classified as being located in a rural area. 

Evaluation Criteria:

·     At least 75% of the area to be served is in a rural area without sufficient access to high speed broadband service to facilitate rural economic development as determined by the Secretary of Agriculture.

·     Project applications for broadband systems must deliver end users a choice of more than one service provider.

·     Projects with the highest proportion of rural residents that do not have access to broadband service.

·     Projects from borrowers or former borrowers under Title II of the Rural Electrification Act of 1936.

·     Projects that demonstrate, if approved all proposed project elements will be fully funded.

·     Project applications for activities that can be 100% completed if the requested funds are provided.

·     Projects that can commence promptly upon approval.

Restrictions: Projects funded under the Rural Broadband Grant Program may not receive funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), who will administer the program.

Important Dates: Joint Application Available On-line http://www/broadbandusa.gov   – July 7, 2009

Application Submissions Due  July 14, 2009 8:00 a.m. ET until August 14, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. ET.