Review May Office Hours recording and get highlights
Our next Office Hours meeting is on June 10. Meetings are recorded.
Register for June 10 Office Hours
The WSBO held Office Hours on May 13.
Public Records Notice: Meeting registration information, such as name and email address, is a public record and may be subject to disclosure, pursuant to Chapter 42.56 RCW: PUBLIC RECORDS ACT.
BEAD program milestones
Significant progress occurred in May:
- Washington’s BEAD Notice of Award (NOA) is officially signed.
- All BEAD subgrantees have received their award letters.
- Applicants who didn’t get an award letter were not awarded a project area in BEAD
- Draft Scopes of Work (SOWs) are being sent out this week.
- Once SOWs are returned, contracts will be issued on a rolling basis.
After contract execution, subgrantees may begin seeking reimbursement for eligible incurred costs.
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May Frequently Asked Questions
WSBO shared several key reminders and updates focusing on environmental review requirements, reimbursement processes and material procurement guidelines for subgrantees. The topics have been pulled into the easy-access May Office Hours FAQ (PDF).
Treasury Capital Projects Fund: Extensions possible
The U.S. Treasury will allow very limited 6‑month extensions for certain Capital Projects Fund (CPF) broadband infrastructure grants.
Extensions may be available if:
- The project has incurred eligible capital expenditures, and
- Significant delays occurred for reasons outside the grantee’s control (such as permitting).
If you believe your project qualifies, contact your WSBO broadband program specialist for support. Commerce can apply on your behalf, but Treasury will make the final determination.
Federal guidance expected soon for remaining BEAD funds
The U.S. Commerce Secretary recently told Congress that updated guidance on remaining BEAD funds is expected by late June.
WSBO will share the information widely once it’s received.
New federal funding opportunity: USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants
The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened its Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. $27 million is available to support telemedicine and distance learning in remote communities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofits
- Schools and school districts
- Hospitals
- Tribes
- For-profit entities
Deadline: June 30, 2026
Past Washington recipients include:
- UW School of Dentistry: $1 million for tele dentistry
- Colville School District: $700,000 for classroom technology
Please help spread the word to partners who might benefit.
Project Area Mapping Tool – coming soon!
WSBO is finalizing an interactive public map showing:
- Which provider is building where
- Technology to be deployed
- Project status (under construction and complete)
The map will allow residents to look up their address to see the status of projects in their area.
We will share the published map in an upcoming bulletin.
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Updated BEAD Contract and Handbook posted
A new version of the draft contract and the 100‑page BEAD Subgrantee Handbook are available on the WSBO website.
The handbook:
- Translates federal (NTIA and NIST) requirements into plain language
- Explains procurement rules, reimbursement, NEPA requirements, reporting and compliance
- Includes checklists, timelines and documentation guidance
Subgrantees are strongly encouraged to review the handbook closely. They are also encouraged to review the most recent BEAD Draft Contract.
Upcoming trainings: June
June 3: BEAD Handbook Walk-through
A focused session covering the most essential components of the handbook for BEAD subgrantees.
June 4: NEPA/NHPA Training
A deep dive with WSBO’s NEPA/Historic Preservation contractor, including how ESAP submissions will be handled on your behalf.
Registration links will be shared soon. Both courses will be recorded.
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Declined awards
If an initial awardee declines to sign a contract:
- WSBO will work with NTIA to follow the federal scope‑change process.
- In many cases, the next-lowest‑cost eligible applicant may be considered.
- However, outcomes will depend on NTIA guidance and the specifics of each situation.
As of May 13, no BEAD awardee has indicated they will decline.
Who attends office hours?
Last month’s polling provided useful insights into who participates and which topics matter most.
- Most attendees are Washington-based, though we do see some out-of-state participation.
- Roughly one-third are BEAD subgrantees, another third are not, and the remaining third declined to answer.
- Attendees represent local governments, public and private ISPs, nonprofits and tribes.
- Top concerns among BEAD subgrantees include:
- Permitting
- Grants monitoring and compliance
- Supply chain and domestic content requirements
- Most responders rated office hours as very useful or somewhat useful.
Based on this feedback, WSBO will continue to tailor future sessions to meet the information needs of both BEAD subgrantees and non-grantees.
Questions? We’re here to help
As always, if you have project-specific questions — especially regarding procurement, NEPA, contract terms, or award amounts — please reach out directly to your WSBO program specialist or contact WSBO@Commerce.wa.gov.
Thank you for your engagement and partnership.
We look forward to seeing you at next month’s Office Hours.
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