NTIA Extends BEAD Final Proposal Deadlines by 90 Days

NTIA Extends BEAD Final Proposal Deadlines by 90 Days

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued a programmatic waiver extending the deadline for Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Final Proposals by 90 days for all Eligible Entities (State and Territory Broadband Offices). This extension changes the deadline from 365 days to 455 days after the date upon which an Eligible Entity’s Initial Proposal was approved. The extension afforded by NTIA to the Eligible Entities (State and Territory Broadband Offices) should not be construed as an automatic extension of existing BEAD application window deadlines.

Under the original BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), states and territories were required to submit their Final Proposals within 12 months after receiving approval for their Initial Proposals. The NOFO allows the Assistant Secretary to grant waivers for Final Proposal deadlines in “extraordinary circumstances.” In this case, the extraordinary circumstances stem from policy changes made under the Trump administration leading to an ongoing comprehensive review of the BEAD Program.

Department of Commerce’s Secretary Lutnick previously announced the department is “currently undertaking a detailed review of the BEAD program to remove unnecessary rules and mandates, to improve efficiency, take a more technology-neutral approach, cut unnecessary red tape, and streamline deployment.” This review is expected to result in significant programmatic changes that will be detailed in a forthcoming Policy Notice slated for mid-May. The extension is designed to give states and territories sufficient time to implement these changes in their Final Proposals.

The shift toward a more “technology-neutral” approach represents a significant change in the BEAD Program’s implementation. Previously, the Biden Administration released an “Alternative Broadband Technology Policy Notice” which provides states with additional flexibility for determining where alternative technologies can be funded. According to recent reports, NTIA is expected to eliminate the current funding preference for end-to-end fiber optic projects, opening the door for greater funding of alternative technologies such as LEO satellites and fixed wireless solutions.

For providers participating in the BEAD Program, these changes could have significant implications. While some stakeholders have welcomed the streamlining efforts, it’s important to note that these reforms are coming at a time when funding is about to be disbursed, with many states having already selected subgrantees or being in the later stages of that process. The timing of these changes raises questions about how new rules will apply to selections already in progress.

JSI encourages clients who are participating in the BEAD Program, either as current or potential subgrantees, to stay informed about these forthcoming changes. We recommend reviewing your state’s specific guidance on how this extension will affect local timelines and implementation plans. For assistance with your BEAD applications, you can contact Amanda Molina.