A key department in state government has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for independent consultants to assist the comptroller in researching and developing the State Digital Equity Plan for unserved and underserved broadband areas.
The work, sought by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA), entails applying for and managing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) grants and related services. The vendor will assist the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) in planning under IIJA and the Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) and applying for related grants.
Unserved areas are defined by the IIJA as those without any or less than 25 Megabits per second (Mbps) download/3 Mbps upload. Underserved areas are defined as access to broadband at 25 Mbps download/3 Mbps upload but less than 100 Mbps/20 Mbps.
The vendor will consult with the BDO to help ensure the BDO’s compliance with IIJA and related NOFOs, including advising and tracking all related requirements and deadlines.
The vendor will draft the initial proposal, final proposal, five-year plan, PEP and state digital equity plan to comply with IIJA and related NOFOs.
The vendor will identify and provide to the BDO existing research among public- and private-sector peer organizations in support of the required goals. Such research must include examples of public-sector entities implementing federal programs that expand broadband and the adoption of broadband.
The contact person is Vicki L. Rees. Proposals are due Oct. 18.
Office Seeks Consultants for State Digital Equity Plan
The effort will focus on unserved and underserved broadband areas across Texas.
