Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program Notice of Funding Availability #002

The following information concerning OCIO Broadband Grant Program Notice of Funding Availability #002 can be found below:

• Notice of Intent To Award
• Documentation
• Timeline
• Applications Received
• Review Committee Summary
• Map of Awarded Applications​

Notice of Intent To Award

NOVEMBER 27, 2019 — The Office has reviewed all Applications received in connection with NOFA #002 in accordance with the terms, conditions, and requirements of Iowa Code section 8B.11, Iowa Administrative Code rule 129—22, and this NOFA and has made a final agency decision regarding whether, to which Projects, and in what amount(s) to Award grant funds. On November 27, 2019, the Office issued a “Notice of Intent Award” or “NOIA,” available at the link below. Up to 15% of total project costs were available to communication service providers that submitted applications to the Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Grant Program. 17 applications were selected by the Office of the Chief Information Officer to receive a total of $5 million in available grant funds. When combined with state grant funds, nearly $44 million in new broadband infrastructure investment will be installed in the application service areas. Approximately 13,000 homes, schools, and businesses in 33 counties will be able to access broadband service upon completion of these projects.

• Download Notice of Intent To Award for NOFA #002
• View Map of Awarded Applications

Adversely affected Applicants have ten (10) days to appeal such Award decision(s) by requesting a contested case proceeding in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code rule 129—22.5(4) and 129—6. Failure to challenge the Office’s decision within the ten (10) day period shall waive any other claims an Applicant may have as it relates to the Office’s administration of the process and otherwise be deemed a failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Applicants may appeal an adverse decision only for a timely submitted Application. Appeals must clearly and fully identify all issues being contested and demonstrate what requirements or procedures of or in applicable law, rule, or the NOFA were not followed or were violated. In the event of an appeal, the Office will continue working with successful Applicants pending the outcome of the appeal.

Notice of Funding Availability #002 - Documentation

Information concerning the grant application process, including all application materials, agreements, and program information are provided below. All Applications to this NOFA were required to be submitted electronically through the Iowa Grants System (Funding Opportunity #324138  - Broadband Grant Program - Empower Rural Iowa - NOFA #002).

• Exhibit A - Notice of Funding Availability
• Broadband Grants Core Application, including:
  • Exhibit B - Broadband Grants Program Project Worksheet
  • Exhibit C - Broadband Grants Program Qualitative Attributes Form
  • Exhibit D - Broadband Grants Program Budget Plan
  • Exhibit D.1 - Limited exception for Broadband Infrastructure Installed Outside of Targeted Service Areas
• Exhibit E - Broadband Grants Program Grant Agreement
• Exhibit F - Certification Letter
• Exhibit G - Authorization to Release Information
• Exhibit H - Request for Confidentiality - Form 22
• Exhibit I - Application Check List
• Exhibit J - Iowa Grants Registration Instructions
• Exhibit K - Iowa Grants Application Instruction Guidance 
• Exhibit L - Broadband Block Selection and Export/Import Instructions 
• Written Responses to Pre-Issuance Publication Questions and Comments
• Addendum #1 to NOFA #002 - Broadband Grants Program
• Addendum #2 to NOFA #002 - Broadband Grants Program
• Addendum #3 to NOFA #002 - Broadband Grants Program 
• Addendum #4 to NOFA #002 - Broadband Grants Program
• Grants Management  Policies and Procedures Guide NOFA #1 and #2

Notice of Funding Availability #002 - Schedule of Important Dates

Notice of Funding Availability #002 was conducted from August 19, 2019 through November 22, 2019 (tentative).  Steps and dates of each activities are described in the schedule below.

Applications Received

PLEASE NOTE: To see the list of applications that were awarded grant awards Download Notice of Intent To Award for NOFA #002. The information below pertains to all applications received by the Office under this NOFA including those that did and did not receive grant awards

20 applications were submitted to the OCIO in response to NOFA #002. The public, redacted versions of each application are provided below. In the Application Download column, click the link labeled "zip" next to each application to download a zip file containing the public version of that application. Additionally, the OCIO conducted a public comment process wherein members of the public could comment on any of the applications received. The public comments, along with any attestations received, have been included in the Public Comments (Click To Download) column below.

Notice of Funding Availability #002 - Review Committee Summary

In accordance with Iowa Code Chapter 8B.11(3), the Office is required to publish the members of the review committee and a summary of the review committee's recommended results. The link below provides the information satisfying these requirements.

• Review Committee Summary

Notice of Funding Availability #002 - Map of Awarded Applications

The map below shows the location of applications that were awarded grant funds under the Notice of Intent To Award for NOFA #002. Click here to see the Notice of Intent To Award.

Open Map in New Window