In this issue
- Wildfire impacts and how the Washington State Broadband Office (WSBO) can partner during recovery
- Funding opportunities beyond BEAD (tribal programs and Digital Equity Act competitive funds)
- BEAD deployment progress and contracts signed
- NEPA and NHPA engagement: What subgrantees can expect
- Reason codes: Key updates and practical implications
- Q&A highlights: Coverage challenges, government-entity requirements, fixed wireless and LEO details
- Important dates and next steps
Review the July Office Hours recording and get highlights
Our next Office Hours meeting is on Sept. 9. Register for Sept. 9 Office Hours
The WSBO held Office Hours on Aug. 12.
All previous Office Hours recordings and Broadband Bulletins are available in the “Additional Resources” section on our BEAD page.
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.
Wildfire impacts and WSBO support
WSBO team members and communities in eastern Washington have been affected by the current fires. WSBO is exploring flexibilities and ways to partner during rebuilding efforts. If your community or project is impacted and you have ideas or needs, please contact us at WSBO@Commerce.wa.gov. The state also made Household Needs Grants available through the Military Department last week.
Funding opportunities beyond BEAD
Tribal Application Assistance Grants Available for TBCP Round 3
WSBO is making $300,000 available to support tribes’ applications for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (TBCP) Round 3.
Funds can be used to assist with application preparation, submission, and curing for activities including, but not limited to:
- Project narrative creation
- Budget creation
- Creation of key personnel resumes
- Network sustainability plans
- Proposed service area mapping
- Design engineering and diagrams.
These reimbursement grant awards will require submission of backup documentation, including vendor invoices and/or staff timecards. Awarded applications may be full or partial awards, depending on the number of applications received.
Grant application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2026.
View the grant application
Contact Chelsi.Wickersham@commerce.wa.gov with any questions.
Digital Equity Act competitive funds: A new Notice of Funding Opportunity is being planned with a target opening in December 2026. Timelines are subject to change. WSBO will share updates as they are available. Read a recent news article for more information.
BEAD remaining funds and federal guidance
Guidance from NTIA on the use of remaining BEAD funds is still pending. States expect more clarity this summer. Many are watching NTIA’s mid‑September conference for updates. At present, the remaining funds are categorized as non‑deployment and cannot be used for construction or to augment awards.
BEAD deployment progress
Contracts are moving: Three contracts have been signed covering 15 project areas across Washington—Broadlinc, Hood Canal Communications, and the Spokane Tribe. WSBO has not had any providers walk away from their BEAD awards to date. If a provider were to decline, WSBO would address the issue promptly, potentially using negotiated coverage for small areas and competitive rebids for larger areas.
After contract signature: Onboarding and NEPA/NHPA
Upon signing, your infrastructure specialist (Sam, Nick, or Jason in Nick’s absence) will send onboarding information, including CMS registration details, an invoicing manual, and an invoice-tracking sheet for each project area. You will also be introduced to EA Engineering, WSBO’s NEPA and historic preservation contractor, to schedule a kickoff meeting and establish a regular communication cadence. WSBO staff should be CC’d on all correspondence between subgrantees and EA Engineering.
NEPA/NHPA considerations for fixed wireless
Whether a customer premise falls into NEPA/NHPA scope depends on what must be done at the property. Typical cases focus on tower locations and fiber backhaul. Most private homes are not in scope unless additional structures (e.g., poles) are required.
Reason codes: What to know now
Reason codes allow WSBO to justify why specific locations would not be connected. Two especially relevant codes right now include:
- Reason Code 3 – removal from FCC fabric when a location is not a service‑eligible structure.
- Reason Code 5 – served by non‑subsidized service; post‑contract changes require mutual agreement if new service makes planned builds infeasible.
NTIA issued and clarified recent policy guidance. WSBO will continue to apply changes carefully and with evidence, in partnership with subgrantees.
Q&A highlights
Mobile coverage degradation
While FCC maps may show coverage, real‑world performance can differ. WSBO recognizes this gap; state‑level solutions may be needed beyond BEAD. Individuals can use the FCC’s service availability challenges.
Government‑entity contracts
The template is final and posted. Additional transparency and documentation requirements apply. Initial documentation is required before the first reimbursement; annual updates will be requested.
Contract signatures
Commerce countersignature finalizes agreements. WSBO briefly paused signatures to resolve conflicting NTIA guidance and has resumed.
LEO capacity awards
Structured as fixed‑amount subgrants with milestone payments (e.g., subscriptions). CPE is provided at no cost. Installation is typically simple and may be self‑installed.
Links and resources
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