Letter of Intent and Initial Planning Funding Grant Application

BROADBAND EQUITY, ACCESS, AND DEPLOYMENT PROGRAM

Letter of Intent and Initial

Planning Funding

Grant Application Guidance

Table of Contents

Grant Application Guidance Overview ..................................................................................................... 5

1.0 Program Guidance ................................................................................................................................ 7

1.1 Before You Get Started .............................................................................................................. 7

1.2 Standard Terms and Conditions for Department of Commerce Grants ..................................... 7

1.3 BEAD Program Eligible Entities ................................................................................................. 7

1.4 Key Submission Dates and Electronic Submission Requirement ............................................. 8

1.4.1 Application Templates ................................................................................................ 8

1.4.2 Uploads without Templates ........................................................................................ 8

1.5 Final Considerations .................................................................................................................. 9

2.0 NTIA Grants Portal Registration ........................................................................................................ 11

2.1 How to Access the NTIA Grants Portal .................................................................................... 11

2.2 NTIA Grant Programs Page ..................................................................................................... 11

2.3 Log in and Self-Registration ..................................................................................................... 12

2.3.1 Log in ....................................................................................................................... 12

2.3.2 Reset Password ....................................................................................................... 13

2.3.3 Portal Self Registration ............................................................................................ 13

2.3.4 Registration Welcome Email with Initial Login Link ................................................. 14

2.4 Setting Up Multi-Factor Authentication .................................................................................... 15

2.4.1 Downloading and Installing the Salesforce Authenticator ....................................... 15

2.4.2 Connecting the Salesforce Authenticator to Your NTIA Grant Portal Login ............ 15

2.5 Log into the NTIA Grants Portal Using the Connected Authenticator App .............................. 16

3.0 NTIA Grants Portal Workspace .......................................................................................................... 19

3.1 Welcome to the NTIA Grants Portal ......................................................................................... 19

3.2 Application Workspace Tab ..................................................................................................... 20

3.3 Application Team Tab .............................................................................................................. 20

3.4 Funding Requests Tab ............................................................................................................. 21

3.4.1 Reviewing Documents that have been uploaded .................................................... 21

3.5 Saving Your Work and Logging Out ........................................................................................ 23

4.0 BEAD Application – Step by Step Instructions ................................................................................ 25

4.1 Letter of Intent (LOI) ................................................................................................................. 25

4.1.1 LOI Template ........................................................................................................... 26

4.1.2 LOI Submission Instructions .................................................................................... 26

BEAD Initial Planning Funds Application Instructions .................................................................... 30

4.2 Project Narrative and Eligibility ................................................................................................ 30

4.2.1 Project Summary for Initial Planning Funds ............................................................. 30

4.2.2 Activities Allowed for Initial Planning Fund .............................................................. 31

4.2.3 Project Narrative and Eligibility Submission Instructions ......................................... 32

4.3 Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance) ........................................................................ 33

4.3.1 Program and Project Information ............................................................................. 35

4.3.2 Estimated Funding ................................................................................................... 36

4.3.3 Questions ................................................................................................................. 36

4.3.4 Authorized Organizational Representative .............................................................. 36

4.4 Budget Form 424C ................................................................................................................... 37

4.4.1 Budget Form 424C Submission Instructions ........................................................... 39

4.5 Detailed Budget Justification and Budget Narrative ................................................................ 40

4.5.1 Budget Narrative ...................................................................................................... 40

4.5.2 Administrative and Legal Expenses ......................................................................... 41

4.5.3 Sample Justification for Federally Funded Activities ............................................... 41

4.5.4 Detailed Budget Justification .................................................................................... 42

4.5.5 Detailed Budget Justification and Budget Narrative Submission Instructions ......... 42

4.6 Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement – as applicable ...................................................... 43

4.7 Additional Required Documents .............................................................................................. 44

4.7.1 Form CD-511- Certification Regarding Lobbying ..................................................... 44

4.7.2 Standard Form-LLL- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities ............................................ 44

4.7.3 SAM.gov registration ................................................................................................ 44

4.7.4 Additional Required Documents Submission Instructions ....................................... 44

4.8 Attestation & Application Submission ...................................................................................... 45

Appendix .................................................................................................................................................... 49

Repository of Documents Required for Download ......................................................................... 49

GRANT APPLICATION

GUIDANCE OVERVIEW

Grant Application Guidance Overview

This document has been created to support applicants as they submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) and an

Initial Planning Funding application. Step-by-step instructions are provided to familiarize applicants with

the NTIA Grants Portal, outline each component of the application, and provide direction on where to

access forms and templates. The document is structured in the following four sections:

There are multiple forms required to complete the Letter of Intent and Initial Planning Funds Grant

Application for NTIA’s Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Grant program. Application

materials will include the following forms:

PROGRAM GUIDANCE

1.0 Program Guidance

1.1 Before You Get Started

Before preparing and submitting an application,

Eligible Entities (applicants) are encouraged to

read the Broadband Equity, Access, and

Deployment (BEAD) Notice of Funding

Opportunity (NOFO), this Grant Application

Guidance, and the BEAD Program page

. By

carefully reviewing these materials, applicants

will help ensure that their Letter of Intent and

application for Initial Planning Funds are

complete and satisfy the requirements of the

BEAD Grant Program. Please note that all

applicants are required to be current and

registered in

www.SAM.gov and have a UEI number in order to receive a Federal award.

1.2 Standard Terms and Conditions for Department of Commerce Grants

All BEAD awardees are required to comply with all applicable provisions set forth in the following:

• Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements: Through 2 C.F.R.

§ 1327.101, the Department of Commerce adopted Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost

Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards at 2 C.F.R. Part 200, which apply to

awards in this Program. Refer to

http://go.usa.gov/SBYh and http://go.usa.gov/SBg4.

• Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions: The Department

of Commerce will apply the Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions in effect on the

date of award to each award in this Program. The current version, dated November 12, 2020, is

accessible at

Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions.

• Pre-Award Notification Requirements: The Department of Commerce will apply the Pre-Award

Notification Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements dated December 30, 2014 (79

FR 78390), accessible at

http://go.usa.gov/hKkR.

1.3 BEAD Program Eligible Entities

To be eligible for funding under BEAD, applicants must be one of the following types of Eligible Entities: a

State of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin

Islands (USVI), and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

Only one Letter of Intent and Initial Planning Funds application from each of these Eligible Entities

will be accepted. In the Letter of Intent, the Eligible Entity must name the agency, department, or

office that will serve as the recipient of, and administering agent for, any BEAD Program award. The

Eligible Entity must also identify an individual who will serve as the main point of contact at that

agency, department, or office for the purposes of the BEAD Program, referred to as the Authorized

Organization Representative (as specified by the 424 Form).

Registering with System Award Management

To register or check your SAM.gov registration, go to

https://www.sam.gov and complete the online SAM

registration process. Through this process, you will

obtain a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) or verify if your

organization already has one. Note that a new

SAM.gov registration or renewal of an expired

SAM.gov registration can take up to 7-10 business

days to process after being submitted on SAM.gov.

1.4 Key Submission Dates and Electronic Submission Requirement

NTIA’s electronic application system, the NTIA Grants Portal (NGP), will be available at

https://grants.ntia.gov

beginning on May 13, 2022. At that time, applicants may submit the Letter of Intent

and, following the submission of the Letter of Intent, the BEAD Initial Planning Funds application. Upon

completion of the application and submission to the NTIA Grants Portal, the NTIA Grants Portal will send

an email to the Authorized Organization Representative with a date and time stamped confirmation of

submission. NTIA will review applications in the order they are received. As such, applicants are strongly

encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible to avoid last-minute congestion on the intake

system and facilitate early review.

All applicants must submit the required materials through the NTIA’s electronic application submission

system, the NTIA Grants Portal, which can be accessed at https://grants.ntia.gov

. The application

package for electronic submission, including templates, are available on the Project Profile page in the

NTIA Grants Portal and on the BEAD program page on

BroadbandUSA. NTIA will not accept Letters of

Intent or Initial Planning Fund applications via email, fax, or postal mail.

1.4.1 Application Templates

Applicants are required to submit a number of documents using templates or downloadable forms. To

ensure an expeditious review of applications, these documents must be uploaded in the same file type

as the provided template or as indicated in the template. In addition, the formatting of each uploaded

document must be consistent with that used in the provided template. Failure to provide files

consistent with the templates will result in NTIA being unable to automatically process the application and

may result in the delayed processing of the application.

The following forms are available to download at www.grants.gov

• CD-511

• SF-LLL

The following templates are available to download on the

NTIA

Grants Portal:

• Budget Narrative

• Detailed Budget Justification

The following documents are built directly into the Portal:

• SF-424

• SF-424C

• Project Summary and Eligibility

Applicants should ensure that their uploaded files are not password protected.

1.4.2 Uploads without Templates

Applicants will need to upload documents that do not require or do not have a standardized template, such

as the Letter of Intent. For example, while a template is provided for the Letter of Intent, use of this template is

not required. In general, NTIA recommends applicants upload Letters in PDF format. For other such

templates, please submit in its native form (i.e., if the template is in Excel, submit as an Excel file). Further

guidance is provided as to how to submit these documents throughout this instruction.

Applicants should ensure that their uploaded files are not password protected.

Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance

Number

The Catalog of Federal

Domestic Assistance (CFDA)

number for the BEAD Grant

Program is 11.035. The CFDA

title for BEAD is Broadband

Equity, Access, and

Deployment Program.

1.5 Final Considerations

• Before applying, applicants should fully read the NOFO and other Technical Assistance

materials available on the BEAD Program page on www.internetforall.gov

, as well as applicable

OMB circulars governing administrative requirements, cost principles, and audits (refer to above

Section 1.2).

• Applicants may receive funding only for costs established in the NOFO as eligible costs

for the appropriate project category.

• By submitting an application, the applicant certifies that the information and responses in the

application are material representations of fact and are true and correct.

• Once the application has been submitted, it is presumed that the application is final and the

applicant will no longer be able to make changes to the application in the portal. If an applicant

needs to make changes to an application, the applicant must contact NTIA for assistance.

NTIA GRANTS PORTAL

REGISTRATION

2.0 NTIA Grants Portal Registration

2.1 How to Access the NTIA Grants Portal

The NTIA Grants Portal is where the

application will be completed, and it can be

accessed here:

https://grants.ntia.gov/grantsPortal/s/

Use one of the following browsers to access

the Portal. Refer to the

Supported Browsers to

Access the Portal page for more information.

• Chrome Latest Release

(Recommended)

• Microsoft Edge Chromium

(Recommended)

• Mozilla Firefox Latest Release

• Safari

2.2 NTIA Grant Programs Page

Click the Learn More button under the

Broadband Equity Access and

Deployment (BEAD) Program to get to

the BEAD program home page.

When you click the Learn More button

on the landing page, you will be taken to

the Program specific Home page (the

BEAD program home page is illustrated

to the left).

If you are logged in, you can start your

application for the BEAD Program by

clicking the Apply Now button.

If you have not logged in, the button will

show Log in to APPLY Now, which will

redirect you to the login page. Once

logged in, return to the Program Home

page and click Apply Now.

2.3 Log in and Self-Registration

Click the Log in button in the upper right corner to sign in as a registered Portal user or to self-register the

first time you access the portal.

2.3.1 Log in

If you are new to the portal and need to register for the

first time, click Register below the blue Log in button.

If you have a Username and Password, enter the

username and password and click the blue Log in

button to move forward.

Important: Upon completing registration, your

Username will be the email address used to register for

the NTIA Grants Portal appended with “.ntia” as the

suffix. As an example, for JohnSmith@organization.com

email address, the Username would be

JohnSmith@organization.com.ntia.

If you forgot your password, click Forgot your

password? below the blue Log in button on the login screen.

2.3.2 Reset Password

Enter your Username, which is the email address used

to register for the NTIA Grants Portal appended with

“.ntia” as the suffix. As an example, for

JohnSmith@organization.com email address, the

Username would be JohnSm[email protected]tia.

Then click the Reset Password button,or click Cancel

to cancel and return to the login screen.

For assistance, email the NTIA Grants Portal Help Desk

at [email protected]ov

2.3.3 Portal Self Registration

As part of the Portal registration process, approval is required before completing registration. The person

who initiates the Application, referred to as the “applicant,” does not necessarily need to be the AOR.

However, only the AOR will be able attest that all statements are true and submit the application.

Follow the steps below to register, NTIA will send an

approval email with a link to complete the process.

1. Register to access the NTIA Grants Portal by

entering contact information in the fields provided.

A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field. Once all

fields are completed, click the blue Sign Up button.

Note: Sam.gov UEI registration information will be

required at a later step in the application process.

If you have registered previously, click Already

have an account? to log in.

2. Click the Entity Type field to select the entity type.

For State/Territory Government entity types, start

typing the name of your State or Territory in the

State/Territory Organization Name field to select the

from the list of States and Territories. Click the blue

process.

3. Keep an eye out for the approval

email, confirming your registration and

steps to complete the registration and

In the event of receiving an email

indicating that you are not

approved, contact NTIA for

assistance.

2.3.4 Registration Welcome Email with Initial Login Link

4. Open your Welcome Email and click on the

Important: Your Username is your email

address appended with .ntia, please make a

note of it for future use when logging into the

Portal.

5. You will be asked to Change Your Password. Enter a

password according to the requirements indicated, then click

the Change Password button.

2.4 Setting Up Multi-Factor Authentication

After setting up your password, you will be asked to set up a verification method using Multi-Factor

Authentication (MFA) to verify your identity each time you log in. You will be guided in the subsequent

steps to download and install an authentication app of your

choice onto your mobile device.

1. Click the radio button to select the app you prefer to

use either the Salesforce Authenticator mobile app or

another authenticator app. Once selected, click the

Continue button.

For more information about using the Salesforce

Authenticator mobile app for multi-factor

authentication, view this video:

How to Use

Salesforce Authenticator for MFA Logins.

2. If you selected to use the Salesforce Authenticator mobile app verification method, follow the

instructions on the Connect Salesforce Authenticator screen, or use the instructions outlined in

the following sections.

2.4.1 Downloading and Installing the Salesforce Authenticator

1. Search for Salesforce Authenticator in your phone’s app store.

a. iPhone/iOS users will search in the Apple App Store.

b. Android users will search in the Google Play Store.

2. Follow your screen’s prompts to install the app on your phone.

3. Open the Salesforce Authenticator app and follow the verification setup activities when you are

prompted (mobile number verification, four-digit passcode setup).

2.4.2 Connecting the Salesforce Authenticator to Your NTIA Grant Portal Login

1. In the Salesforce Authenticator app on your mobile device, tap Add an Account.

2. A unique two-word phrase will appear in the app, enter the phrase into the Connect Salesforce

Authenticator screen and click Connect.

3. Confirm the connection in the Salesforce Authenticator app and you will have successfully paired

your account.

What is Multi-Factor Authentication?

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is a digital authentication method used to confirm the identity of a user to allow

them access to a website or app through at least two pieces of evidence. With an authenticator app downloaded

onto your mobile device, users are given an automatically generated code that refreshes, typically every 30

seconds. Using an authenticator app on your mobile device bolsters your online security.

Note: You will only need to connect your account once. You will continue to use the Salesforce

Authenticator to approve future logins.

If you opt to use another authenticator app (other than the Salesforce

Authenticator App), follow the instructions on the Connect an

Authenticator App screen. The following is a list of commonly used

Authenticator Apps available to download from the app store onto your

mobile device:

• Google Authenticator

• Lastpass

• Microsoft Authenticator

• Authy by Twilio

• 2FA Authenticator

• Duo Mobile

• Aegis Authenticator

Note: You will only need to connect (pair) your account once with an

authenticator app. You will continue to use the authenticator app to approve future logins.

2.5 Log into the NTIA Grants Portal Using the Connected Authenticator App

https://grants.ntia.gov/grantsPortal/s/

Once you have installed and connected the authenticator app on

your mobile device, you will continue to use the app to verify your

identity each time you log into the Portal.

1. Enter your Username (your email address appended with

.ntia) and Password into the fields in the NTIA Grants

Portal on your computer web browser. The Portal will send

a notification to your mobile device.

2. The authenticator app will provide details of the login

request, including Username, Service, Device, and

Location.

3. Review the login details, then tap Approve; if you do not

recognize the request, tap Deny.

Note: To make logging in easier, enable Always approve from

this location from the Salesforce Authenticator to automatically

approve requests matching location and login information.

NTIA GRANTS PORTAL

WORKSPACE

3.0 NTIA Grants Portal Workspace

3.1 Welcome to the NTIA Grants Portal

The Home button at the top of the screen returns you to your NTIA Grants Portal home page. The

Support button takes you to a screen with NTIA Support contact information.

If you have not started a grant request, the My Grant Request(s) section will be empty. Use the following

steps to initiate a grant request:

1. From the Available Programs section, click on the link Broadband Equity, Access, and

Deployment (BEAD).

2. Click the Apply Now button. If needed, access additional information through links under

Resources.

3.2 Application Workspace Tab

The Application Workspace tab contains the sections of

the overall application request process listed in the order in

which to complete the application:

• Letter of Intent

• Project Narrative and Eligibility

• Form 424

• Budget Form 424C

• Detailed Budget Justification and Budget

Narrative

• Additional Required Documents

• Attestation and Generate Forms, and Submit

Each section reflects a Section Status, including Not Started, In Progress, and Completed.

3.3 Application Team Tab

Add team members early on who will participate in the application process. Each team member will

require their own login credentials to input application information. To ensure coordination on application

inputs, work with all team members on planned application activities so as not to overwrite application

information.

When adding a team member who needs access to the

current application, note that only one applicant role and

only one Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR)

role can be assigned to an application. Changing the

applicant role to another user or adding or changing the

Authorized Organizational Representative can only be done

in the Form 424 section in the NTIA Grants Portal.

1. Click the Application Team tab, then click the +

Add Contact button. Indicate if the contact is

outside of your organization by selecting Yes or No

from the drop-down menu.

2. Enter the new team member contact information in

the Add Contact fields. A red asterisk (*) indicates a

required field. Click the Save button, or the Save &

New button to add additional team members. Click

the Close button to close the Add Contact section.

The new team member will receive a Welcome Email

with a link to log into the portal.

Note: The link in the Welcome Email will expire after 7 days. If

a new login link is needed, the applicant team member can go to Forgot your password? on the login

page and enter their Username to receive a new login link via email. Alternatively, the team member can

contact NTIA to request a new email with a login link.

To update the role of an application team member,

click the drop-down menu under Role and select

the new role, then click the Save button. To

remove a team member, click the drop-down

menu under Status to select either Current or

Former status, then click the Save button.

Note: You will be able to see who is assigned as

applicant and as Authorized Organizational

Representative (AOR), but you cannot manage

those users within the Application Teams tab. To

change the applicant or to add or change the

AOR, you will need to create a new Form 424.

3.4 Funding Requests Tab

To view the overall status of the application, click the Funding Requests tab.

3.4.1 Reviewing Documents that have been uploaded

1. Click on the Funding Requests tab.

2. Click on the Planning Application.

3. Click on the Related tab.

4. Under the Related tab you will be able to review the list of documents that will have been uploaded

to the application. Click on the document you wish to review.

5. For each document you will be able to see any versions that have been uploaded, open and review

them or download them. Only add documents through the Application Workspace to ensure your

application is correct.

3.5 Saving Your Work and Logging Out

Important: Save your work within any section by clicking the ‘Save’ or ‘Next’ button, the Section Status

will display as In Progress. Click the Continue button to return your saved work. If you enter

information on a screen and do not click Save or Next, your work will not be saved and you will

need to re-enter it.

To log out of the Portal, click the profile icon in the upper right then click Logout.

BEAD APPLICATION

STEP BY STEP

INSTRUCTIONS

4.0 BEAD Application – Step by Step Instructions

4.1 Letter of Intent (LOI)

An applicant may submit only a single Letter of Intent (LOI). NTIA has created a template for applicants to

use in drafting the LOI. Please note that use of this template is not required. However, LOIs must be

signed by the Governor or equivalent chief executive of the Eligible Entity and submitted through the

NTIA portal by July 18, 2022. Applicants are not required to include a request for planning funds with the

LOI, which does not automatically result in the release of planning funds.

Requests for planning funds can be made through the NTIA portal through August 15, 2022. In order to

receive planning funds, applicants must also submit application materials as described in this guidance.

States, D.C., and Puerto Rico can request up to $5,000,000 in planning funds. American Samoa, CNMI,

Guam, and USVI can request up to $1,250,000 in planning funds.

The LOI must include:

• A statement that the Eligible Entity intends to participate in the program;

• Specific information to identify the agency, department, or office that will serve as the recipient

of, and administering agent for, any BEAD Program award for the Eligible Entity.

• The main point of contact at the recipient and administering agency, department, or office for the

purposes of the BEAD Program, with corresponding contact information (including an email

address).

A sample template of the LOI is shown on the following page. If used, it should be saved and uploaded in

PDF format.

4.1.1 LOI Template

[On Governor’s Office Letterhead]

May 16, 2022

The Honorable Alan Davidson

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information

U.S. Department of Commerce

1401 Constitution Ave., NW

Washington, DC 20230

Dear Assistant Secretary Davidson:

On behalf of [INSERT ELIGIBLE ENTITY NAME], I am declaring our intent to participate in

the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

The [INSERT DEPARTMENT, AGENCY, OR OFFICE] will serve as the as the recipient of,

and administering agent for, any BEAD Program award for this eligible entity. The following

individual will serve as the point of contact for all correspondence:

[INSERT NAME AND CONTACT INFO – INCLUDING EMAIL ADDRESS]

The [INSERT ELIGIBLE ENTITY NAME] is also requesting $[INSERT AMOUNT]

in initial

planning funds.

Sincerely,

[Signed by the Governor]

States, D.C, and Puerto Rico can request up to $5,000,000 in planning funds. American Samoa, CNMI, Guam,

and USVI can request up to $1,250,000 in planning funds.

Including a request for planning funds is not required in the Letter of Intent. Requests for planning funds can also

be made through the NTIA portal through August 15, 2022. To receive funding, Eligible Entities must also submit

application materials through the NTIA Grants Portal including standard documentation and a budget narrative.

Or by the chief executive of the Eligible Entity.

4.1.2 LOI Submission Instructions

1. From the Application Workspace, locate the Letter of Intent section and click the Get Started

button.

2. Review the Instructions for the Letter of Intent. Notice the Steps highlighted in the sidebar to the

right. Click the Next button to proceed. Click the X in the upper right corner of the modal to return

to the Application Workspace.

3. Click the Upload Files button to select the file(s) to upload or drag and drop the file(s) into the

upload files space.

4. Click the Done button on the pop-up window.

5. Verify the uploaded file(s) in the Upload Letter of Intent window. If necessary, click the delete

icon to remove the file(s). After uploading the Letter of Intent file(s), click the Save and Next

button.

6. Select Yes, No, or Decide Later. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required response.

a. If you select Yes, please proceed to the next section, Project Narrative and Eligibility.

b. If you select No, you can change your response and indicate your intent to request

Planning Money if you return to this page by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)

on July 18, 2022.

c. If you select Decide Later, you can still indicate your intent to request Planning Money if

you return to this page by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on July 18, 2022.

Note: BEAD Initial Planning Fund Applications are due on August 15, 2022. However, indication

to apply for those funds through submission of a Letter of Intent should be completed by the July

deadline indicated above.

Click on the Next button to return to the Application Workspace.

7. Upon completing the final step of the Letter of Intent section, a green banner with a confirmation

message will appear at the top of the screen. As noted in the banner, an email will be sent from

the NTIA Grants Portal confirming the date and time of your submission. Click the X icon in the

upper right corner to close the green banner confirmation message. To update the Status of

Applying for Planning Money, or to delete and upload a new Letter of Intent, click the

Review/Update button in the Letter of Intent section.

8. Click the radio button next to the action you wish to take, then click the Next button. Click the X in

the upper right corner of the modal to return to the Application Workspace.

BEAD Initial Planning Funds Application Instructions

Prior to submitting an application for Initial Planning Funds, the Eligible Entity must submit a

Letter of Intent. Once the Letter of Intent is submitted, the Eligible Entity may submit an

application for Initial Planning Funds. The Initial Planning Funds application must include the

following:

• Project Narrative

• SF 424 (Application for

Federal Assistance)

• SF 424C (Budget

Information - Construction

Programs)

• Detailed Budget Justification

• Budget Narrative

• Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate

Agreement—as applicable

• CD-511 (certification of lobbying

activities)

• SF-LLL (disclosure of lobbying

activities)—as applicable

• SAM.gov registration

4.2 Project Narrative and Eligibility

The Project Narrative section includes a Project Summary for the use of the Initial Planning Funds, as

well as an indication of which activities for which those funds will be used. Applicants must input both the

Project Summary and the Activities in the NTIA Grants Portal.

4.2.1 Project Summary for Initial Planning Funds

Applicants should provide, in a narrative project summary, an overview of the proposed project, including

activities and intended outcomes associated with the project. The project summary should include an

overview of how the applicant intends to use awarded funds, including indicating partners or subrecipients

who may support the applicant to execute the funded activities. Applicants should provide a clear and

compelling description of the project and should be clear about the project‘s intended benefits—for

example, outlining how the project will advance the objectives of the BEAD program as well as specific

objectives outlined in the NOFO for Initial Planning Funds and Five-Year Action Plan. For the Project

Summary, the applicant may provide high-level financial figures and budgetary information. It is important

that the numbers presented in this section are consistent throughout the entire application. Applicants are

limited to 1000 words for their Project Summary.

4.2.2 Activities Allowed for Initial Planning Fund

The applicant must also identify which allowable Initial Planning Fund areas it intends to use for its funds

in the narrative, including providing information on how those activities will support the BEAD program

objectives and support the development of a Five-Year Action Plan. The applicant will select, from the

below list, all activities that it intends to conduct using the Initial Planning Funds. (Note: applicants must

select at least one box)

 Research and data collection, including initial identification of unserved locations and

underserved locations consistent with the rules, regulations, and processes the Commission has

established for making these determinations in the Broadband DATA Maps;

 The development of a preliminary budget for pre-planning activities;

 Publications, outreach, and communications support;

 Providing technical assistance to potential subgrantees, including through workshops and events;

 Training for employees of the broadband program or office of the Eligible Entity or employees or

political subdivisions of the Eligible Entity, and related staffing capacity or consulting or contracted

support to effectuate the goals of the BEAD Program;

 Establishing, operating, or increasing capacity of a broadband office that oversees broadband

programs and broadband deployment in an Eligible Entity;

 Asset mapping across the Eligible Entity to catalogue broadband adoption, affordability, equity,

access and deployment activities occurring within the Eligible Entity;

 Conducting surveys of unserved, underserved, and underrepresented communities to better

understand barriers to adoption;

 Costs associated with meeting the local coordination requirements including capacity building at

the local and regional levels or contracted support;

Sample Project Summary for Initial Planning Funds

[Entity Name] is requesting funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program to help support

our pursuit of offering more reliable broadband service to our service area. Our proposed project, [Project Title], will [brief

summary description of the project]. Through the [Title of Project] project, we be able to [insert project’s intended benefits].

More specifically, our project is focused on advancing the objectives of the BEAD Program, including [insert specific objectives

outlined in the NOFO]. To do so, [Title of Project] intends to utilize the following activities: [insert list of intended activities].

Activity 1, [insert activity from provided list], includes [brief description of activity]. The intended outcome of Activity 1 is [X].

Activity 2, [insert activity from provided list], includes [brief description of activity]. Completing Activity 2 will result in [Y].

Repeat for each activity proposed.

The funds awarded through the BEAD Program will be used to help support the previously mentioned project activities. [Entity

Name] will have [#X] partners, including [#X] subrecipients, who will support in the execution of the funded activities: [List

partner names]. [Partner #1] is [brief description of partner, including mention of whether they are a subrecipient]. Activities [1,

2, 3...] will be supported by [Partner #1]. Repeat for each partner/subrecipient.

The [Project Title] project plans to use Initial Planning Funds to support the following areas: [list of applicable Initial Planning

Fund areas]. [Planning Fund Area #1] will both support the development of our Five-Year Action Plan and BEAD program

objectives by [Enter description]. Repeat for each Planning Fund Area.

OPTIONAL – The overall proposed project cost is [$X], which includes [$X] in federal funding and [X% or $X] in matching

funds. [Insert other high-level financial figures/budgetary information. Ensure any numeric data provided aligns with other

sections of the application package].

 Reasonable post-NOFO, pre-award expenses in an amount not to exceed $100,000 relating to

the preparation of program submissions to NTIA (such as the Letter of Intent) or adding additional

capacity to state or territorial broadband offices in preparation for the BEAD Program may be

reimbursed if they are incurred after the publication date of this NOFO and prior to the date of

issuance of the grant award from NTIA, except that lobbying costs and contingency fees are not

reimbursable from grant funds. Pre-award expenses should be clearly identified in the proposed

project budget. Additionally, pre-award costs are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant and will

not be reimbursed by NTIA if the proposed project does not receive an award pursuant to this

Program. Pre-award expenses must be approved by NTIA and the Grants Officer in writing to be

considered allowable; and

 Other uses approved in advance writing by the Assistant Secretary (including in response to an

Eligible Entity’s request) that support the goals of the Program.

Note: Requests for approval of uses not listed here should be made in writing to the Assistant

Secretary and submitted through the appropriate Federal Program Officer. Eligible Entities should

make such requests on a timely basis to facilitate resolution prior to point at which the Eligible

Entity seeks to make the expenditure or expenditures at issue.

4.2.3 Project Narrative and Eligibility Submission

Instructions

1. Click the Get Started button to begin the Project

Narrative and Eligibility section.

2. Enter Project Narrative and Eligibility information

in the fields provided. A red asterisk (*) indicates a

required field.

a. Click the drop-down icon to select a

response to the question: “Are you

coordinating with your State/Territory

Broadband office?” Options are Yes, No,

Not Applicable.

b. Use the scroll bar to scroll up and down the

screen to view all options among the Select

planning and pre-deployment activities,

click the box next to each activity that is

applicable. At least one activity must be

selected.

3. Upon making your selection(s), click the Next

button to return to the Application Workspace.

4.3 Form 424 (Application for Federal Assistance)

Applicants are required to fill out, directly in the

NTIA Grants Portal, an SF 424 Application for

Federal Assistance. The table below provides

instructions on each field that must be filled out.

Applicants are encouraged to fill out the SF 424

template available on the NTIA Grants Portal and

on the BEAD Program webpage on

www.internetforall.gov prior to filling out the form on

the NTIA Grants Portal. Instructions on how to

complete the SF 424 can be found on the

grants.gov website, or at this link:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms/sf-424-family.html

Note: Some of these fields will pre-populate as a result of the data entered when the applicant’s

organization is added.

Authorized Organization Representative

The Applicant should identify their Authorized

Organization Representatives (AOR) in the SF 424.

An AOR is a member of your organization

authorized to submit applications in the NTIA Grants

Portal on behalf of the organization. Note that in the

submission of the application, only the AOR will be

able attest that all statements are true and submit

the application.

1. Click the Get Started button to

begin the Form 424 section.

2. Click each header of the Application for Federal

Assistance SF-424 form to expand or collapse the

section on the screen. Notice the Steps highlighted in

the sidebar to the right.

Click the Application Information header to expand

the section, enter application information using the fields

provided. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

3. Use the scroll bar to scroll to the next sections, click

on each header to expand the section, and continue

entering information for the remaining sections of the

Form 424:

• Address

• Organizational Unit

• Name and contact information of person

to be contacted on matters involving this

application (Authorized Organizational

Representative - AOR)

• Type of Applicant

4. Click the Save and Next button to proceed to the next

step, Program and Project Information.

4.3.1 Program and Project Information

5. Click each header of the Program

and Project Information step to

expand or collapse the section on

the screen. If needed, click the

Program Information header to

expand the section and enter

program information using the fields

provided. Some information

previously provided will be pre-

populated in various fields. Use the

scroll bar to scroll to the next

section to continue entering

information for the remaining

field(s). A red asterisk (*) indicates

a required field.

6. Click the Previous button to go back to the previous step;

click the Save and Next button to proceed to the next step,

Estimated Funding.

4.3.2 Estimated Funding

7. Enter estimated funding information in the fields

provided. A red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

The following fields must match:

• Form 424 18a must match Form 424C 17c

• Form 424 18g must match Form 424C 16c

Click the Previous button to go back to the previous

step; click the Save and Next button to proceed to

the next step, Questions.

4.3.3 Questions

8. Click the radio button to select a response to

the questions presented. A red asterisk (*)

indicates a required field. For question 19, if you

select response ‘a.’ select a State Review Date.

For question 20, if you select ‘Yes,’ provide an

explanation in the space provided.

Click the Previous button to go back to the

previous step; click the Save and Next button to

proceed to the next step, Authorized

Organizational Representative.

4.3.4 Authorized Organizational Representative

9. Enter the AOR information in the fields provided. A

red asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

The AOR will receive an email notification indicating

that they have been added to the Funding Program

application. If they are not already registered with

the NTIA Grants Portal, they will receive a second

email with a link to set their password to the grant

portal (see the

Registration Welcome Email with

Initial Login Link section of this guide and follow the

instructions). If the current applicant indicates

themselves as the AOR, they will not receive an

email as they are already registered in the Portal.

Click the Previous button to go back to the previous step; click the Save and Generate PDF button to

complete the Form 424 Section and return to the Application Workspace.

Once you click Save and Generate, a new tab will

open with the generated pdf. Click the download

button or the print button in the upper right corner to

save a copy of the pdf for your records. The

generated Form 424 will be saved on your

application record and will be available for review

and download by the AOR during the final step

before submission.

If the designated AOR needs to be updated, return

to the Form 424 to make the change. Refer to the

instructions above for guidance.

10. Click the download button or the print button in the upper right corner to save a copy of the pdf for

your records.

11. Return to the Application Workspace still open on the previous browser tab.

4.4 Budget Form 424C

Applicants are required to complete on the NTIA Grants Portal a SF 424 C- Budget Information—

Construction Programs budget. Applicants are encouraged to fill out the SF 424 C template available on

the NTIA Grants Portal and on the BEAD program webpage on www.internetforall.gov

prior to filling out

the form directly in the NTIA Grants Portal. Instructions for the OMB forms are available at:

https://apply07.grants.gov/apply/forms/instructions/SF424C_2_0-V2.0-Instructions.pdf

Note the special guidance below for completing the SF-424C for BEAD applications.

• In Column (a), enter the total project cost for each line item.

• In Column (b), if this is an application for a "New" project, enter that portion of the cost of each

item in Column (a) that is not allowable for federal assistance. Contact the federal agency for

assistance in determining the allowability of specific costs. If this application entails a change to

an existing award, enter the adjustment [+ or -] to the previously approved costs (from column

(a)) reflected in this application.

• In Column (c), enter total Allowable Costs (Column (a) – (b)).

• Note that for the Initial Planning Funds, only Line 1 “Administrative and Legal,” Line 5 “Other

architectural and engineering fees,” and Line 11 “Miscellaneous” are applicable cost categories in

the SF 424C.

• Line 1. Administrative and Legal: Enter estimated amounts needed to cover administrative

expenses. Do not include costs which are related to the normal functions of government.

Allowable legal costs are generally only those associated with the purchases of land, which is

allowable for federal participation, and certain services in support of construction of the project.

• Line 5. Other architectural and engineering fees: Enter estimated engineering costs, such as

surveys, tests, soil borings.

• Line 11. Miscellaneous: Enter estimated miscellaneous costs.

• Line 12. SUBTOTAL: Total of items 1 through 11.

• Line 14. SUBTOTAL: Enter the total of lines 12 and 13.

• Line 16. TOTAL PROJECT COSTS: Subtract line 15 from line 14.

• Line 17. Federal assistance requested: The percentage used should result in the exact dollar

amount of the federal funding request. Note that the amount in 17c will need to be identical to the

federal funding request in the Budget Narrative and Detailed Budget Justification, and tie out to

the exact dollar in all relevant sections of the application.

o Note that subtotals will need to be easily traceable to the line items in Column G of the

Detailed Budget Justification.

• The following budget categories are likely not applicable to Initial Planning Funds

Applications:

• Line 2. Land, structure, rights-of-way, appraisals, etc.: Enter estimated site and right(s)-of- way

acquisition costs (this includes purchase, lease, and/or easements).

• Line 3. Relocation expenses and payments: Enter estimated costs related to relocation advisory

assistance, replacement housing, relocation payments to displaced persons and businesses, etc.

• Line 4. Architectural and engineering fees: Enter estimated basic engineering fees related to

construction (this includes start-up services and preparation of project performance work plan).

• Line 6. Project inspection fees: Enter estimated engineering inspection costs.

• Line 7. Site work: Enter estimated costs of site preparation and restoration which are not included

in the basic construction contract.

• Line 8. Demolition and removal: Enter estimated demolition and removal costs.

• Line 9. Construction: Enter estimated cost of the construction contract.

• Line 10. Equipment: Enter estimated cost of office, shop, laboratory, safety equipment, etc. to be

used at the facility, if such costs are not included in the construction contract.

• Line 13. Contingencies: Since contingency fees are not reimbursable expenses through BEAD,

leave row 13 blank.

• Line 15. Project (program) income: (Not applicable to BEAD Initial Planning Funds) The disposition of

program income shall be in accordance with the applicable Federal administrative requirements.

Program income must be deducted from total allowable costs to determine net allowable costs unless a

Federal awarding agency specifies otherwise in its regulations, terms of conditions of the Federal

award, or through prior approval (for additional detail, see 2 CFR 200.307 Program income

Otherwise, the value for this line item should be $0.

4.4.1 Budget Form 424C Submission Instructions

1. Click the Get Started button to begin

the Budget Form 424C section.

2. Enter Budget Information - Construction Programs

(424C) information in the fields provided. Use the

scroll bar to scroll up and down the screen.

3. Click the Save button to complete the

Budget Form 424C Section and return to the

Application Workspace.

4. A new browser tab may open with the completed

Form 424C. Click the download button or the print

button in the upper right corner. The NTIA Grants

Portal is likely still open on the previous browser tab.

5. Return to the Application Workspace still open

on the previous browser tab.

4.5 Detailed Budget Justification and Budget

Narrative

Applicants must upload both a Detailed Budget Justification and a Budget Narrative to the NTIA Grants

Portal. Templates for both of these required documents are available on the BEAD Program Page on the

NTIA Grants Portal and also available on the BEAD Program webpage on www.internetforall.gov

The applicant must ensure that the total project budget information matches across ALL budget forms

and templates, including the SF 424, SF-424C, Detailed Budget Justification, and Budget Narrative.

4.5.1 Budget Narrative

Applicants are required to submit a Budget Narrative that

adequately describes all proposed activities and costs for their

grant-funded project. The applicant must download the Microsoft

Word file template (available on the NTIA Grants Portal and on

the BEAD Program webpage on www.internetforall.gov), fill in all

required information, and upload the completed file to the NTIA

Grants Portal. The upload must be provided as Word file, and

not converted to a PDF prior to upload. There is no word limit.

The following information should be included in the budget

narrative, following the template provided on the NTIA Grants

Portal and on the BEAD Program webpage on

www.internetforall.gov:

• Applicant Name

• Organization Type

• Proposed Period of Performance

• Total Project Costs

• Total Federal Grant Request

The applicant should provide the following information under the respective headers:

4.5.2 Administrative and Legal Expenses

Administrative and legal fees should be listed by category (ex. rent, training, grant management, etc.), or

broken down by line item as much as possible. Each line must include the total time (ex. total number of

hours), cost per unit, and the total cost for that line item. If applicable, time commitment(s) such as hours

or level of effort should be provided.

Along with the calculations for each line item, applicants

must provide a description of each charge to include what it

is, who will be doing it (if applicable and if known), and how

it relates to the project objectives. If the applicant will be

providing a cash or in-kind match in this cost category, this

must be noted and explained in the justification.

If an applicant plans to charge indirect costs to this award,

they should also be included into the Administrative and

Legal Expenses line item. The Detailed Budget Justification

template and the budget narrative should clearly explain

how they are being applied and to what. Additionally, if

indirect costs are proposed, the applicant must also be

sure to attach a copy of their most recent negotiated

indirect cost rate agreement for analysis by the NIST Grants Management Division to ensure they are

applied appropriately.

If indirect costs are proposed in addition to local match/cost share, the applicant is required to provide in

their budget narrative the break-down of the federal amount and local share of indirect costs, consistent

with OMB Memorandum M-22-02 to assist with government-wide reporting of indirect costs.

4.5.3 Sample Justification for Federally Funded Activities

Activity Total Time Rate Total Cost

Grant Management activities 300 hours $50 per hour $15,000

Legal Fees 60 hours $150 per hour $9,000

Example details for items above:

Grant Management Activities ($15,000) – Staff time (exact staff TBD) to complete mandatory grant

management activities such as completing reports, responding to audit requirements, conducting

budgetary activities, and other activities as required by the grantor. These activities are necessary to

meet the reporting and compliance requirements of the grant program. This position will be Federally

funded/not match funded.

Legal Fees ($9,000) – Development of agreements and MOUs between the various organizations

involved in the grant, to include sub-grantees. Also, will conduct legal reviews for all contracts.

Examples of Administrative Expenses

Include Costs Attributable to:

Accounting, auditing, contracting,

budgeting, and general legal services;

facility occupancy costs, e.g., rent,

utilities, insurance, taxes, and

maintenance; general liability insurance

that protects the organization (not directly

related to a program); depreciation on

buildings and equipment; general office

supplies; and general and administrative

salaries and wages.

4.5.4 Detailed Budget Justification

Applicants are required to submit a Detailed Budget Justification to

provide general budget information and detailed project costs. The

applicant must download the Microsoft Excel file template (available on

the NTIA Grants Portal and on the BEAD Program webpage on

www.internetforall.gov), fill in all required information, and upload the

completed file to the NTIA Grants Portal. The upload must be provided as

an Excel file, and not converted to a PDF prior to upload. The applicant

should not alter the layout of the provided templates, except to insert additional line-items as needed.

4.5.5 Detailed Budget Justification and Budget Narrative Submission Instructions

1. Click the Get Started button to begin the

Detailed Budget Justification and Budget

Narrative section.

Tips for Completing Detailed Budget Justification

• All budget amounts must exactly match or tie out across all budget justification. For example, do not provide estimates or

approximate amounts in the Budget Narrative that do not exactly match amounts the SF-424, SF-424C, and all relevant

sections in the application.

• All subtotals and totals (including line items) must be rounded to whole dollars without cents. Although unit costs may include

cents, once multiplied by the number of units, the result must be rounded to the nearest whole dollar. Amounts ending in

$.49 or less should be rounded down to the nearest whole dollar, while amounts ending in $.50 or more should be rounded

up to the next whole dollar. (For example, a subtotal of $2.17 would be rounded down to $2.00, while a subtotal of $2.72

would be rounded up to $3.00.) It is acceptable if .00 appears at the end of an amount; that is auto-formatted in some

versions of the form.

• All project costs should be contained in the budget justification. Subrecipient costs should be rolled up into the primary

applicant‘s budget justification. Do not provide separate budgets or budget documentation for subrecipients.

• All direct and indirect costs will be evaluated for allowability, allocability, and reasonableness according to the relevant cost

principles. Only include costs that meet all criteria and note that additional detail or documentation may be requested.

2. Click the Upload Files button, or drag and drop

files into the space provided for each required

document.

3. Click the Done button.

4. Enter Total Federal Funds Requested into the

field provided, then click the Save button to return

to the Application Workspace.

Note: This Amount should match field 18a from the

Form 424.

4.6 Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement – as applicable

If indirect costs are included in the proposed budget, the applicant must upload a copy of the approved

negotiated agreement if this rate was negotiated with a cognizant federal audit agency. If the rate was not

established by a cognizant federal audit agency, provide a statement to this effect. If the successful

applicant includes indirect costs in the budget and has not established an indirect cost rate with a

cognizant federal audit agency, the applicant will be required to obtain such a rate in accordance with

Section B.06 of the Department of Commerce Financial Assistance Standard Terms and Conditions

Dated November 12, 2020.

Alternatively, consistent with 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f), applicants that do not have a current negotiated

indirect cost rate may elect to charge indirect costs to an award pursuant to a de minimis rate, in which

case a negotiated indirect cost rate agreement is not required. Applicants proposing a de minimis rate

pursuant to 2 C.F.R. § 200.414(f) should note this election as part of the budget portion of the application.

4.7 Additional Required Documents

All additional documents should be signed by the AOR identified in the SF-424. Ensure that the name

listed and the signature match.

4.7.1 Form CD-511- Certification Regarding Lobbying

The applicant must upload a completed Form CD-511 Certification

Regarding Lobbying that certifies that Federal funds have not been

used and will not be used for lobbying in connection with this request

for Federal financial assistance. A fillable Form CD-511 is available

to be downloaded and filled out on the BEAD Program page on the

NTIA Grants Portal and on the BEAD Program webpage on

www.internetforall.gov

4.7.2 Standard Form-LLL- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities

The Standard Form-LLL- Disclosure of Lobbying Activities must be

completed and submitted for those applicants that need to disclose

lobbying activities that have been secured to influence the outcome of

a Federal action.

4.7.3 SAM.gov registration

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is an official website of the U.S. Government. The SAM

database is managed by the General Services Administration, which is responsible for acquiring goods

and services for government agencies. In order to do business with any federal government agency, an

Eligibly Entity must complete SAM registration on SAM.gov. There is no cost to use SAM.gov.

Applicants should upload evidence of SAM.gov registration of the Eligible Entity identified in the SF-424.

The documentation should include the Legal Name, Unique Entity ID (UEI), and expiration date of the

registration.

4.7.4 Additional Required Documents Submission Instructions

1. Click the Get Started button to begin

the Additional Required Documents

section.

2. Click the Upload Files button to select the

file(s) to upload, or drag and drop the file(s) into

the upload files space provided. A red asterisk (*)

indicates that a document is required. Click the

delete icon to remove a file. Click the Save

button to return to the Application Workspace.

For the SAMS.gov Registration required

document, a screenshot of the holder’s

SAMS.gov registration information page is

sufficient.

4.8 Attestation & Application Submission

Once the applicant has completed its application, it is advised to proofread the materials submitted and

verify the consistency of data provided in more than one location (particularly with respect to the project

budget).

The final Attestation & Generate Forms & Submit section is accessible only to the designated

AOR in Form 424; the Attestation & Generate Forms & Submit section is not accessible to other team

member roles. The AOR must complete the Attestation & Generate Forms & Submit section.

By submitting this application, the applicant or the AOR certifies that the information and responses in the

application are material representations of fact and are true and correct.

1. Click the Get Started button to

begin the Attestation & Generate

Forms & Submit section.

2. The AOR is responsible for

reviewing all forms and

application documents listed on

the Review Forms & Submit

screen before final submission. If

changes are needed, exit this

modal by clicking on the white X

in the upper-right corner, then

return to the corresponding

section(s) in the Application

Workspace and complete all

steps of the section(s) to update and

save changes to the form(s) and

document(s).

3. Click the document link in the Review

Forms & Submit modal screen to

download the pdf form or document. It

is recommended to download each

form and document for archival

purposes.

4. Click the Next button to get to the

Attestation step.

5. Upon reviewing the forms for final

submission, click the required checkbox

next to “I AGREE,” then click the Next

button.

6. A pdf version of Form 424 with the

AOR attested signature and date at the

bottom of the form will open in a

separate tab. Click the download

button or the print button in the upper

right corner to save a copy of the pdf

for your records.

7. Click the Next button to complete the attestation step.

Important: Once the AOR confirms submission by clicking Next, the application submission process has

completed, and the application records will be locked and awaiting review by NTIA.

8. Upon confirming attestation, you will be

returned to the Application Workspace

showing that each section status is now

marked as submitted.

9. A confirmation email will be sent from

the Portal system.

Congratulations!

You have successfully completed your application for the Broadband Equity, Access,

and Deployment (BEAD) Grant Program. Please reach out to BEAD@NTIA.gov for

BEAD programmatic inquiries. Please reach out to NGPhelpdesk@ntia.gov if you have

any outstanding technical questions or need additional guidance on submitting your

application.

Appendix

Repository of Documents Required for Download

• Budget Narrative: Applicants will create and submit a budget

narrative that adequately describes all proposed actives and costs for

their grant-funded project. Applicants must complete the file template

(available to download on the BEAD Program Page

and found in the

BEAD Initial Planning Funds ZIP folder) fill in all required information

and upload the file. The file must be uploaded as a Word file, and not

converted to a PDF.

• Detailed Budget Justification: Applicants are required to submit a

Detailed Budget Justification to provide general budget information and

detailed project costs. The applicant must use the Microsoft Excel file

template (available to download on the BEAD Program Page

and

found in the BEAD Initial Planning Funds ZIP folder), fill in all required

information, and upload the file to the NTIA Grants Portal.

• CD-511: A copy of this form is available to download on the

BEAD

Program Page and is found in the BEAD Initial Planning Funds Zip

folder.

• Standard Form-LLL: Standard Form-LLL must be completed and

submitted for those applicants that need to disclose lobbying activities

that have been secured to influence the outcome of a Federal action.

A fillable Form SF-LLL is available to download on the

BEAD Program

Page and can be found in found in the BEAD Initial Planning Funds

ZIP folder.