FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel Responds to Broadband Mapping Timeline Request

Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel responded to a September 30 letter from Rep Victoria Spartz (R-IN) requesting a timeline for the "completion of broadband maps" by the agency. "The FCC has made significant progress," said Rosenworcel in her response. "As I have said before, the best time to undertake this effort was five years ago, but the second best time is right now–and we are proceeding with speed in order to avoid any further delay." Rosenworcel provided updates on a number of agency requirements included in the Broadband DATA Act. This includes IT development progress for the Broadband Data Collection system; a contract award for the development of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric; collaboration with the public to address "remaining legal and policy issues" associated with the processes required by the Broadband DATA Act; and meetings with stakeholders about the FCC's data collection process. Rosenworcel also highlights the FCC's nationwide 4G mobile coverage map, which is available to the public.

The FCC issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on June 1, which, among other things, specified that the chosen vendor would be required to deliver an initial production version of the Broadband Serviceable Location Fabric within 120 days of the award. Responses to the RFP were due on July 1. However, the FCC received a pre-award protest filed with the Government Accountability Office following the RFP response deadline, which the agency worked to quickly resolve by issuing a revised RFP to all offerors on August 13. Revised proposals were due August 26 and the FCC expeditiously reviewed these highly technical and detailed responses in a manner consistent with government solicitation practices. Following this review, the FCC awarded the contract for the Fabric development on November 9 to CostQuest Associates. Since that time, one of the unsuccessful bidders filed a post-award protest with GAO. Under this process, FCC efforts to proceed with the Fabric have been stayed while the GAO has 100 days to issue a decision on the protest.