B T O P Successful Application P P T
- 1. Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Guide to the Elements of Successful BTOP Applications BTOP Round 2 Winter 2010 Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 2. Vision of NTIA Secretary – Round II • “The strongest proposals are the ones that have taken a truly comprehensive view of the communities to be served and have engaged as many key members of the communities as possible in developing the projects.” - Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information Lawrence E. Strickling (December 10, 2009) Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 3. Agenda • BTOP Application Evaluation Process • Key Changes to Applications • Success Factors for Preparing Application – General Programmatic – Comprehensive Community Infrastructure – Public Computer Center – Sustainable Adoption • Resources for BTOP Applicants • Q/A Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 4. BTOP Application Evaluation Process Announcement of PFSA’s State & Tribal Consultation Application Application Due Diligence Selection Deadline Eligibility Review Merit Review Review (10 Selection (3/15) Factors) Closely review NOFA Do not wait until last minute to submit Ensure fully completed application Work early with your state’s Governor Office to promote project Review list of best practices to maximize score in Merit Review and perform well in Due Diligence Review Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Closely examine funded projects from Round by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Funded 1
- 5. Selection Factors in NOFA Ability to Influence Macro-Factors Score from Merit Review Geographic Distribution Analytical Findings from NTIA Program Staff Range of Technologies and Uses Satisfaction of Statutory Purposes and BTOP Priorities Availability of Funds Extent Match Equals or Exceeds 30% of Budget Avoidance of Redundancy, Duplication, and Conflicts with the Initiatives of Other Federal Agencies (e.g., Department of Agriculture, FCC, etc.) Comments from States & Consideration of Broadband Mapping Program Comments of Tribal Entities (if applicable) Gear Effort Here Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 6. Key Changes to Round II Application (CCI) • Split BTOP and BIP into separate • Expanded the demographic data applications requests to include median income and unemployment rates • Added a checklist to track Comprehensive Community • Added questions regarding existing Infrastructure criteria infrastructure, competitive landscape, job creation and vulnerable • Eliminated use of the mapping tool populations • Requested a business case analysis to • Eliminated certain uploads and justify financial need (based on combined other uploads into a valuation of cash flows) smaller number of files • Requested eight years of Pro Forma • Improved tracking of whether financial information applicants or partners are small businesses or SDBs Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 7. Key Changes to Round II Application (PCC & Sustainable Adoption) • Split SBA and PCC Project Applications Into Separate Workstreams • Expanded Data Collection to Include Information on Key Project Partners • Clarified Budget Information Requests with New Template • Revised Collection of Computer Center Data • Revised Collection of Data Concerning Vulnerable Populations and Community Anchor Institutions • Cut Number of Uploads in Half Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 8. Consideration Factors Change from Category Points Prior NOFA • Made Scoring Changes to Reflect Higher Weight on Project Purpose 20 Expert Reviewer’s Scrutiny on Viability and Budget/Sustainability Project Benefits 20 • Scoring Data (from Round 1) Indicates Applicants Received Lower Percentage of Available Points in Project Purpose & Project Viability 30 Budget/Sustainability (relative to Project Benefits & Viability) Project Budget & Sustainability 30 Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 9. General Key Success Factors: Project Purpose Compelling Problem Credibility Clarity • Existence of Significant • Fact- and Numerical- • Clear, Persuasive Story of Problem Based Claims to Justify Problem in Executive Problem Summary – High Percentage of Targeted Market Lacking • Wide Range of Letters of • 5-Minute Test to Digest Access Support & Commitment and Appreciate Overall – Long Wait Time at Public That Express a Story Problem and Solution Computing Center • Pre-BTOP History of • Consistency of Story – Low Awareness of Problem and Attempts to Throughout Application Broadband Benefits Solve • Strongly Consider 3rd Party • Clear Demonstration of Review of Proposal Before Financial Need (e.g., Submission Business Case Challenges) Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 10. General Key Success Factors: Project Benefits Link Between Problem and Metrics!!! Strategy to Deliver Benefits Solution’s Benefits • Clear Data (facts, figures) • Convincing Link Between • Clear Strategy and Tactics on Purported Benefits Problem & Solution (e.g., to Reach Targeted how does infrastructure Population or Market • Clear Explanation of solve low-adoption Methodology Used to problem) • Proof Targeted Market Calculate Benefits Will Consume Services • Link Ability to Yield • Fact-Based Comparison • Focus on Targeting Benefits to Project Between Project Viability and Vulnerable Populations Outcomes and Status Quo Budget/Sustainability • Realistic, Credible Forecasts Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 11. General Key Success Factors: Project Viability High Confidence in Meaningful Community Solution Feasibility Organizational Capability Involvement • Clear-Description of • Extensive Track Record for • Community Involvement Solution & Link to Benefits Similarly Scoped (Size and Across Value Chain Budget) Projects • Details, Details, Details - • Letters of Support or Solution Components • Experienced Management Commitment from Each Team (or Partnerships to Partner • Comprehensive & Realistic Fill Gaps) Project Plan • Specific Arrangements • Favorable Financial Regarding Role • Gain Credibility – Avoid Standing and Audit History Overselling, Identify Risks • Use BroadbandMatch To & Mitigation Approach Seek Community Partners Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 12. General Key Success Factors: Budget & Sustainability Budget Reasonableness Long-Term Sustainability Matching Funds • As NOFA States • Credible Assumptions & • Exceed Minimum Match Comprehensive, Detailed Forecasts (Subscribers, (20% for PCC/SA and 30% and Clarity Revenues, Costs, Adoption for CCI) Indicates Rates, etc.) Greater “Skin in the Game” • Reasonableness to Scope and Sustainability of Project • Multiple Community Stakeholders Across • Cash Match Removes • Favorable Cost Ratios (financial & operational) Valuation Concerns • Eligibility of All Costs • Clear Evidence of Self- • Diversified Match from Funding or 3rd Party Various Stakeholders Commitments Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 13. Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Sequencing Framework for Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Projects Middle Mile (MM) Infrastructure w/ Commitment to 1 Community Anchor Institutions 2 MM Project Backed by Public-Private Partnership MM Project w/ Intent to Bolster Growth in 3 Economically Distressed Communities Order of Priority MM Project w/ Commitment to 4 1 to 7 Community Colleges 1 to 6 MM Project w/ 1 to 5 5 Commitment to Public 1 to 4 Safety Entities 1 to 3 LM Infrastructure Component or 1 to 2 6 1 Commitment Letters Other Applications Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program 7 ≥30% Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 Match
- 14. Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Consideration Factors Category Pts Components Fit with Statutory Purposes Fit with BTOP Priorities Project Potential for Job Creation Purpose 20 Recovery Act and & Other Governmental Collaboration Indian Tribes and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Businesses Level of Need in Proposed Funded Area Impact on the Proposed Funded Service Area(s) Project Benefits 20 Network Capacity & Performance Affordability of Services Offered Nondiscrimination, Interconnection and Choice of Service Provider Technical Feasibility Project Viability 30 Organizational Capability Level of Community Involvement Project Reasonableness of Budget Budget & 30 Sustainability of the Project Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Sustainability Leverage of Outside Resources Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 15. Comprehensive Community Infrastructure Best Practices for Infrastructure Projects • Convincing Methodology for Determination of Unserved-Underserved Problem • Provision of Wholesale and Retail Service Offerings • Directly Connecting Anchor Institutions with BTOP Funds • Service to Small/Medium Businesses • Strong Track Record in Deploying and Managing Networks • 30% or Greater Match Funds • Reasonable Cost per Mile (Middle Mile) or Household (Last Mile) • Credible Subscriber Forecast Based on Clear, Detailed Methodology • Leverage Existing Network Assets via Leasing (if possible) • Composite Set of Revenues for All Project Members • Financial Need Based on Business Case Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 16. Public Computer Centers Consideration Factors Category Pts Components Fit with Statutory Purposes Potential for Job Creation Project Purpose 20 Recovery Act & Other Governmental Collaboration Indian Tribes and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Businesses Availability to the Public Project Training and Educational Programs Offered Benefits 20 Availability and Qualifications of Consulting and Teaching Staff Projects in Community Colleges Technical Feasibility of Proposed Project Project Viability 30 Applicant’s Organizational Capability Level of Community Involvement on Project Project Budget Reasonableness of the Budget & 30 Sustainability of the Project Sustainability Leverage of Outside Resources Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 17. Public Computer Centers Applications: Five Keys to Success • Specific Training and Education Programs • Compelling Outreach Plan • Evidence of Appeal to Target Populations • Technical Support Resources • Explanation of Proposal’s Impact on Center’s Overall Mission Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 18. Sustainable Broadband Adoption Consideration Factors Category Pts Components Fit with Statutory Purposes Potential for Job Creation Project Purpose 20 Recovery Act and Other Governmental Collaboration Indian Tribes and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Businesses Number of New Subscribers Project Cost Per New User Benefits 20 Innovation Support for Vulnerable Populations Operational Feasibility of the Proposed Project Project Viability 30 Applicant‘s Organizational Capability Level of Community Involvement in the Project Project Reasonableness of the Budget Budget & 30 Sustainability of the Project Impact Sustainability Leverage of Outside Resources by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Made Possible Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 19. Sustainable Broadband Adoption Applications: Five Keys to Success • Efforts to Educate, Train, Equip and/or Support New Broadband Subscribers • Plan for Measuring the New Broadband Subscribership • Evidence that Your Specific Approach Will Be Effective • Confirm that Broadband Service is Available • Illustrate On-Going Benefits of Building Capacity Within Existing Community Support Organizations Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 20. • Online service to help find potential partners with whom to work and/or apply with • Register your organization type, skills and geographic base • Search for other organizations • http://match.broadbandusa.gov Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 21. BTOP Resources for Applicants Main Website http://www.broadbandusa.gov Match Website http://match.broadbandusa.gov Recovery Act Website http://www.recovery.gov Support Line & 1-877-508-8364 Email BroadbandUSA@usda.gov Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
- 22. Q/A Made Possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009