Request for Proposals
Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment & Digital Equity Planning Program (RFP#WSBO 22-02)
The Department of Commerce, Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) has applied for funding pursuant to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) notice of funding
opportunity (NOFO) for the state Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) and Digital Equity Planning Grant programs.
The WSBO is the designated administering entity for both the BEAD and Digital Equity Planning grants in Washington state.
Background
The state of Washington has defined specific goals for the WSBO that are ambitious and seek to ensure that everyone in Washington has access to the broadband internet resources that they need. To move forward with these state goals while aligning with new opportunities provided for in the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), WSBO will prepare a five-year action plan and a first-ever statewide digital equity plan concurrently.
Developing these plans in alignment will ensure that investments in broadband infrastructure are equitable and that the unique needs of underserved and unserved communities are centered throughout the state’s planning and programming processes.
The WSBO is seeking a Contractor that will bring together a team with wide-reaching experience to support WSBO in these efforts. The successful proposal will be one from a contractor that has the following experience on the team:
- Coordinating large-scale telecommunication infrastructure projects
- Assisting government and economic development agencies with a regional/community broadband needs assessment,
- Digital equity planning and program development,
- Leading inclusive stakeholder outreach and engagement,
- Working with diverse populations,
- Developing and implementing a strategy for archiving grant information,
- Broadband mapping and data analysis, and
- Communications deliverables and activities in multiple languages and accessible formats.
Budget for this work is not to exceed $1,175,000. Source of funding is the NTIA.
PROPOSALS ARE DUE BY 5 PM, NOV. 14, 2022
Complete details, including objectives, scope of work, minimum qualifications and more are in the RFP document.
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