Summary, Concerns, and Strategic Guidance regarding Notice of Funds Availability for BTOP

This memorandum provides analysis, strategic guidance, and policy concerns and recommendations with regard to the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

This memorandum includes:

1) A summary of the latest developments in the BTOP and how they will impact many would-be applicants;

2) Strategic recommendations for activities to undertake to maximize the chances of being funded;

3) Precautionary and protective steps to take during the application preparation process;

4) Discussion of policy concerns about how the BTOP is being implemented and why it does not, in many ways, live up to the promise established by the ARRA; and,

5) Policy recommendations for incremental, strategic changes by NTIA that could improve the program as implemented.