Commerce readies contract for broadband grant support

The Commerce Department intends to award a contract by June 30 to obtain assistance in distributing the $4.7 billion in economic stimulus law funds devoted to broadband expansion, according to a planning document published May 15. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration intends to publish a notice of funds availability in June and conduct initial proposal processing and review from September to December, with initial grant awards made in December. A second solicitation of proposals will be made from October to December, and a third solicitation will occur from April to June 2010. All awards must be made by September 2010. The target date for awarding a contract for grants program support is June 30.