Challenge Process Policy Notice V1.3

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act), enacted in November 2021, includes funding for robust investment in American infrastructure projects. The Infrastructure Act includes the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, which provides $42.45 billion of funding to achieve reliable, affordable, and high-speed Internet coverage throughout the United States. See Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division F, Title I, Section 60102, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (Nov. 15, 2021). The U.S. Department of Commerce, in keeping with its mission to create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity for all communities, is ready to lead the building of equitable access to universal high-speed Internet coverage in the United States, in partnership with other agencies and Departments.

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), as the agency responsible for administering the BEAD program, provides herein additional guidance to inform the submission and execution of the Initial Proposal, including the design and implementation of the BEAD Eligible Entity challenge processes. This Policy Notice elaborates on, but does not replace, the BEAD Eligible Entity (States, territories, and the District of Columbia) requirements outlined in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that each Eligible Entity must adhere to for the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to approve its Initial Proposal.

An Eligible Entity that received NTIA approval of Volume I of its BEAD Initial Proposal prior to the publication of this updated guidance may wish to modify its Volume I to reflect this updated guidance. Before taking such action, that Eligible Entity must contact its Federal Program Officer for direction.

Find more information about the Challenge Results Submission Templates here. These CSV templates are intended to support Eligible Entities in implementing the challenge results submission data format requirements, as outlined in the Policy Notice.