How Public Input Helped Shape NTIA’s Approach to the Uniform Guidance in the BEAD Program

The National Telecommunications Information Administration (NTIA) released a Policy Notice providing guidance on the application of the Uniform Guidance in the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program. This Policy Notice reflects NTIA’s latest step to create the conditions necessary for building high-speed networks that connect everyone in America to affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service. The Uniform Guidance is the Federal Government’s framework for grants management, providing rules and requirements for Federal grant programs. Recognizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach for administering these programs, the Uniform Guidance itself contemplates ways in which Federal agencies can implement exceptions and adjustments to these regulations. NTIA's Policy Notice is directionally aligned with Treasury’s approach, while also reflecting differences to account for distinctions between implementing statutes and program structures.