The recent release of the Broadband Initiatives Progam (BIP)/Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) FAQ is an important event, as it provides answers to many questions asked by BIP/BTOP application workshop participants and others working frantically to meet the Aug. 14 application deadline.

At the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, we’ve identified a few of the most commonly asked questions based on our attendance at workshops, and have provided them here, along with our perspective on why these issues are important.

Take some time to look them over, but don’t forget to download and read the both the FAQ and the BIP/BTOP applications in their entirety.

Q: Is an entity whose application is denied in the first funding round eligible to reapply for funding in a subsequent round?

A: If an application is not successful in the first round, the applicant may resubmit the proposal for the next round of funding. Applicants should be aware that NTIA and RUS intend to learn from the first funding round and,as a result, the agencies may issue subsequent NOFAs that contain different programmatic information to better achieve the agencies’ goals and to adjust the process based on the applications received. BIP and BTOP applicants will be notified in writing of the reason for the rejection. As a result, organizations resubmitting their applications in later rounds will have an opportunity to address the deficiencies identified in the first round.

Knight Center Perspective: The bottom line: Yes, you will be able to resubmit. However, be aware that much of the BIP money is being released in the first round of funding, so it benefits you to have a solid, well researched proposal to submit during the first round.

Q: Will the electronic application allow you to save your application, stop, and come back to it?

A: An applicant can edit and save an electronic application as many times as necessary until you submit the application. After the application has been submitted, the electronic system will not allow further revisions.

Knight Center Perspective: The greatest benefit of electronic submission is the ability to work collaboratively across large distances. REMEMBER: Just make sure you don’t hit SUBMIT before you’re finished. Once you hit the SUMBIT button your application becomes FINAL.

Q: If RUS or NTIA discovers that a few census blocks within a large service area are not unserved or underserved, will the agency reject the application in its entirety?

A: The determination of whether an area is unserved or underserved applies to an entire service area, not to specific census blocks within the service area. RUS and NTIA will post a Public Notice of the proposed funded service areas of each Broadband Infrastructure application for a 30-day period. If the information submitted by an existing service provider demonstrates that the applicant’s proposed funded service area is not unserved, both RUS and NTIA reserve the right to reclassify the application and consider the proposed area as underserved if the application meets the criteria in the underserved definition. If the information submitted by an existing service provider establishes that the applicant’s proposed funded service area is not underserved, both RUS and NTIA may reject the application.

Knight Center Perspective: Unserved/underserved - how do you define it? See our methodology blog.

Q: Are there any geographic restrictions on the areas served by Public Computer Center and Sustainable Broadband Adoption projects?

A: No. Public Computer Center and Sustainable Broadband Adoption applicants do not need to demonstrate that their projects are located within unserved or underserved areas. Rather, they must show that they serve vulnerable population groups where broadband technology has traditionally been underutilized.

Knight Center Perspective: You don’t have to stick to specific definitions for this part of your BTOP submission. As long as your organization provides a solid methodology for explaining why the population in the proposed area is considered VULNERABLE and UNDERUTILIZED, you should be in good stead.

Q: Please describe the “sustainability” evaluation factor for Sustainable Broadband Adoption grants. Do these projects need to be on-going after the period of performance for the award?

A: Applicants for Sustainable Broadband Adoption grants must explain how the expected increases in broadband adoption rates will be sustained without ongoing federal grant assistance after the funding period and grant program has concluded. The description should include an explanation for why the applicant believes increases in subscriber rates will be sustainable over time. Applicants also should demonstrate how any costs associated with training and/or other recurring expenses will be covered after the grant expires. NTIA expects projects funded by Sustainable Broadband Adoption grants to continue after the period of performance for the award.

Knight Center Perspective: Sustainability is the cornerstone to any business plan or grant proposal no matter who the funder is. You must have a plan for how you’re going to keep your program moving forward, no ifs ands or buts. Read our compliance blog for more information.