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07/30/2009REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR BIP/BTOP AWARD WINNERS
Okay - let's fast forward afew months and assume you were fortunate enough to win a loan, grant or loan/grant award from NTIA (BTOP) or RUS (BIP) for a broadband infrastructure project. Enjoy the moment, since the paperwork has only just begun.
As a quid pro quo for accepting the government’s money, BIP and BTOP award winners must comply with multiple sets of reporting obligations. The required reports are not of the “check the box” variety – they entail periodic (in some cases quarterly) submission of very detailed financial, technical and other business information, without an absolute guarantee of complete confidentiality from NTIA or RUS.
Here is just some of what will be required:
MB Reporting Requirements Implemening the Recovery Act
Any grant, loan, or loan/grant combination awarded under the NOFA is subject to the applicable statutes and regulations regarding reporting on Recovery Act funds generally. In particular, the awardee and each contractor engaged by the awardee must submit the following information on a quarterly basis for three years: - The total amount of Recovery Act funds received;
- The amount of Recovery Act funds received that were expended or obligated to projects or activities;
- A detailed list of all projects or activities for which Recovery Act funds were expended or obligated, including:
- the name of the project or activity a
- a description of the project or activity
- an evaluation of the completion status of the project or activity
- an estimate of the number of jobs created and the number of jobs retained b the project or activity; and
- for infrstructure investments made by state and local governments, the purpose, total cost, and rationale of the agency for funding the infrstructure investment with Recovery Act funds, and name of the person to contact at the agency if there are concerns with the infrastructure investment;
- Detailed information on any subcontracts or subgrants awarded by the awardee to ensure compliance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006
BIP-Specific Reporting Requirements In addition ot the genearl Recovery Act reporting requirements, BIP awardees must report on the information requested below:
- Awardees must submit to RUS 30 calendar days after the end of each calendar year quarter, balance sheets, income statements, statements of cash flow, rate package summaries, and the number of customers taking broadband service on a per community basis utilizing RUS’s Broadband Collection and Analysis System (BCAS). BCAS is an electronic reporting system that is accessed through the Internet.
- Annually on January 31, starting the first January 31 after completion of the project, awardees must submit to RUS, using the electronic reporting system provided by RUS:
- Number of households and businesses subscribing to broadband service;
- Number of households and businesses subscribing to broadband service that receive improved access; and
- Number of educational, library, health care, and public safety providers receiving either new or improved access to broadband service.
- Awardees shall specifically state in the applicable quarter when they have received 67 percent of the award funds. Reaching this threshold will indicate that the awardee has substantially completed its project.
BTOP-Specific Reporting Requirements
In addition to the general Recovery Act reporting requirements (and, apparently, in addition to those
reporting requirements specific to BIP), BTOP awardees must report quarterly on the information set forth below.
- All BTOP Awardees must report on:
- Their progress in achieving the project goals, objectives, and milestones as set forth in its application;
- Expenditure of grant funds and how much of the award remains;
- How much non-federal investment is being added to complete the project;
- Whether the awardee is on schedule to substantially complete its projects within two years of the award and complete its project within three years of the award;
- The number and type of entities (as set forth in section 6001(b)(3) and (4) of the Recovery Act) receiving new access to broadband services; and
- The number and type of entities (as set forth in section 6001(b)(3) and (4) of the Recovery Act) receiving improved access to broadband services.
Awardees shall specifically state in the applicable quarter when they have met 67 percent of their milestones and received 67 percent of their award funds. Reaching these thresholds will indicate that the awardees have ‘‘substantially completed’’ their projects consistent with the Recovery Act.
- BTOP Broadband Infrastructure Awardees
Awardees receiving Last Mile or Middle Mile Broadband Infrstructure grants must report, for each specific BTOP projrct on the following:
- The terms of any interconnection agreements entered into during the reporting period;
- Traffic exchange relationships (e.g., peering) and terms;
- Broadband equipment purchases;
- Total and peak utilization of access links;
- Total and peak utilization on interconnection links to other networks;
- Internet protocol address utilization and IPv6 implementation;
- Any changes or updates to their network management practices;
- Average end-user and middle mile megabit per second increase;
- Availability of their broadband offering (including the technology used, location of infrastructure, area served, and the number of households passed);
- The total number of households and businesses subscribing to broadband service;
- The number of households and businesses subscribing to new broadband service;
- The number of households and businesses subscribing to broadband service that receive improved access;
- Advertised and averaged broadband speeds; and
- The price of the broadband services.
Again, this list is not exhaustive – other reports may be required depending, for example, on the applicant’s individual circumstances or simply where NTIAS or RUS want more information. BIP and BTOP applicants therefore should study the reporting sections of the NOFA carefully so that they fully understand all of the administrative costs involved with accepting a BIP or BTOP award for as broadband infrastructure project.
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Related Items:
• Communaute de Communes Roissy Porte de France
• W2i Announces 3rd Annual Best Practices Awards Winners
• Round 2 of broadband simulus awards: Are you disillusioned or eager?
• AN OVERVIEW OF THE BIP/BTOP SCORING SYSTEMS
• 4th Digital Inclusion Roundtable: Summary
• Webinar: How to Boost Broadband Adoption?
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