FY 2023 ACP Outreach Grant Program_TCOP NOFO_Round 2_vF.pdf

Federal Communications Commission ACP Outreach Grant Program – TCOP Round 2

FY 2023 ACP Outreach Grant Program TCOP NOFO – Round 2

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM – ROUND 2

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. Federal Agency Issued By

Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) / Consumer and

Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB)

B. Funding Opportunity Title

Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program – Tribal Competitive Outreach Program

(TCOP) Round 2

C. Assistance Listing (CFDA Number)

32.011

D. Funding Opportunity Number

FCC-ACOGP-23-004

E. Authorizing Authority for Program

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Division J, Title IV, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021) (47 USC 1752(b)(10)(C))

F. Announcement Type

Initial

G. Funding Instrument

Grant

H. Key Dates

TCOP: Complete applications must be received through https://www.grants.gov no later than 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on July 28, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted. FCC expects to complete its review, make selection, and issue an announcement by end of September 2023.

Entities may only apply for either TCOP or National Competitive Outreach Program

(NCOP) funding. Entities may not apply for both TCOP and NCOP funding.

I. Application Submission Method

Applications or portions thereof submitted through postal mail, courier, email, facsimile

(fax), or other means will not be accepted. All applications must be submitted through https://www.grants.gov. See Section VI - Application and Submission Information of this

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for detailed information concerning application submission requirements.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.grants.gov/

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Each section of this TCOP NOFO contains information and instructions relevant to the application process for the ACP Outreach Grant Program – TCOP Round 2. All applicants should read this document in its entirety so that they have the information they need to submit eligible and competitive applications.

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. FEDERAL AGENCY ISSUED BY

B. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TITLE

C. ASSISTANCE LISTING (CFDA NUMBER)

D. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER

E. AUTHORIZING AUTHORITY FOR PROGRAM

F. ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE

G. FUNDING INSTRUMENT

H. KEY DATES

I. APPLICATION SUBMISSION METHOD

II. INTRODUCTION

III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

B. ACP OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM ORDER

IV. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. OVERVIEW

B. PROGRAM GOAL, OBJECTIVES, PRIORITIES, AND MEASURES

V. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

A. TARGET FUNDING AVAILABILITY FOR THIS NOFO – TCOP ROUND 2: $5,000,000

B. FUNDING CEILING:

C. PROJECTED NUMBER OF AWARDS: 10 – 20

D. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

E. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

F. INELIGIBLE ENTITIES

G. COST SHARING AND MATCHING

VI. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. KEY APPLICATION SUBMISSION DATES AND TIME

B. KEY AWARD DATES AND TIME

C. OBTAINING EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (EIN)

D. SAM REGISTRATION

E. GRANTS.GOV REGISTRATION INFORMATION

F. FCC REGISTRATION NUMBER (FRN)

G. TIMELY RECEIPT REQUIREMENTS AND PROOF OF TIMELY SUBMISSION

H. CONTENT AND FORM OF APPLICATION SUBMISSION

VII. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS, PROHIBITIONS, AND ALLOWABLE COSTS

A. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS

B. ACP OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM PROHIBITIONS

C. ALLOWABLE COSTS

D. UNALLOWABLE COSTS

VIII. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. ELIGIBILITY (COMPLIANCE) REVIEW

A. INDEPENDENT MERIT REVIEW

B. VIRTUAL PANEL REVIEW (IF APPLICABLE)

C. FUNDING DETERMINATION

D. RISK REVIEW

E. FINAL SELECTION

IX. FEDERAL AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. AGREEING TO TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE AWARD

B. NOTICE OF AWARD

C. PASS-THROUGH REQUIREMENTS

D. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

E. AWARD PAYMENTS

F. PROGRAM AND BUDGET MODIFICATIONS

X. POST AWARD REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

A. FEDERAL PERFORMANCE REPORTING

B. FEDERAL FINANCIAL REPORTING

C. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE EXTENSIONS

D. CLOSEOUT REPORTING

E. WIND-DOWN

XI. MONITORING, COMPLIANCE, AND OVERSIGHT

A. OVERVIEW

B. FINANCIAL MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

C. PROGRESS MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE

XII. AWARD CLOSEOUT AND TERMINATION

A. ADMINISTRATIVE CLOSEOUT

B. SPECIFIC CONDITIONS

C. NON-COMPLIANCE

D. TERMINATION

E. POST-CLOSEOUT ADJUSTMENTS

F. RECORDS RETENTION

XIII. MANDATORY DISCLOSURES

A. OTHER FEDERAL AWARDS WITH SIMILAR PROGRAMMATIC ACTIVITIES

B. LOBBYING ACTIVITIES

C. SUSPENSION AND DEBARMENT

D. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

E. ASSURANCES AND CERTIFICATIONS

F. SINGLE AUDIT REPORT

G. REPORTING SUBAWARD AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION INFORMATION

H. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF FEDERAL FUNDING

XIV. OTHER NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

A. TRANSPARENCY

B. DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

C. WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

D. ENSURING THE PROTECTION OF CIVIL RIGHTS

E. NEVER CONTRACT WITH THE ENEMY

F. PROHIBITIONS ON PURCHASING TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT

G. PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT

XV. FCC AWARDING AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

APPENDIX A – ACRONYMS

APPENDIX B – TERMS AND DEFINITIONS

II. INTRODUCTION

The Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program (ACP Outreach Grant Program) includes the following sub-grant programs:

• National Competitive Outreach Program (NCOP)

• Tribal Competitive Outreach Program (TCOP)

The FCC issues this NOFO to describe the requirements under which it will award grants for the TCOP. A separate NOFO will be issued for the ACP Outreach Grant Program – NCOP

NOFO - Round 2.

The ACP Outreach Grant Program is one tool among a comprehensive set of measures authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021(Infrastructure Act) and implemented by the FCC to help bridge the digital divide. The ACP Outreach Grant Program will help increase awareness of and participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program

(ACP) among eligible households. The ACP Outreach Grant Program provides federal funding for the FCC to grant eligible governmental and non-governmental entities with the funding and resources needed to increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among those households most in need of affordable connectivity. See Section IV - Program

Description of this NOFO for the full Program Description.

TCOP provides funding for outreach activities to increase awareness of and encourage participation in the ACP for eligible low-income households on Tribal Lands.

III. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A. Affordable Connectivity Program

The Affordable Connectivity Program is a $14.2 billion FCC benefit program that helps ensure that qualifying low-income households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. The ACP is the successor program to the Emergency

Broadband Benefit Program which was established pursuant to the Consolidated

Appropriations Act of 2021 to provide discounted broadband service to low-income households, including those experiencing economic disruption related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The ACP benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for eligible households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to

$100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if the households contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price. The

ACP is limited to one monthly service discount and one device discount per household.

Households may qualify for the ACP if they participate in Lifeline or one of the Lifeline qualifying programs, including Federal Housing Assistance (i.e., Housing Choice Voucher

Program (Section 8 Vouchers); Project-Based Rental Assistance, which includes Project-

Based Section 8, Section 202, and Section 811 housing; Public Housing; and Affordable

Housing Programs for American Indians, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians); Medicaid;

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; Supplemental Security Income; Veterans https://www.fcc.gov/ACP

Pension and Survivors Benefit; and, for households on qualifying Tribal lands, Bureau of

Indian Affairs General Assistance, Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations, Tribally administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Tribal Head Start

(only those households meeting the incoming qualifying standard). A household may also qualify for the ACP if it has an income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty

Guidelines, or if a member of the household has received a federal Pell Grant during the current award year, is approved to participate in the National School Lunch or Breakfast

Program (including Community Eligibility Provision schools), participates in the Special

Supplemental Nutritional Program for Woman, Infants, and Children, or meets the eligibility criteria for a participating provider’s existing low-income internet program.

B. ACP Outreach Grant Program Order

On March 13, 2023, the FCC adopted a Fifth Report and Order authorizing additional funding of up to $10 million for NCOP and TCOP for Round 2 . This funding will come from a combination of: (a) unspent funding – funding previously allocated to the ACP

Outreach Grant Program but not awarded; and (b) unobligated funding – funding from the

$100 million ACP outreach budget that has not yet been allocated to specific outreach efforts.

IV. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Overview

The ACP plays an integral role in helping to bridge the digital divide, which remains a top priority for the Commission. As part of its efforts to encourage participation in the ACP, the Commission established the ACP Outreach Grant Program on August 5, 2022 in order to engage with partners around the country to help inform ACP-eligible households about the program in their local communities, with funding and resources to support such outreach and community engagement.1 The initial NOFO designated up to $80 million for outreach grants in competitive allocations: (1) up to $60 million for eligible NCOP entities;

(2) a minimum of $10 million for eligible TCOP entities; (3) up to $5 million for entities selected to participate in the Your Home, Your Internet Pilot Program; and (4) up to $5 million for entities selected to participate in the ACP Navigator Pilot Program. Following the release of the first NOFO, the extensive demand for ACP outreach funding underscored the need for additional TCOP funding to expand the number of entities raising awareness of the ACP to reach the eligible households that have not yet enrolled in the ACP.

This new funding opportunity for TCOP is intended to provide additional funding beyond the outreach targeted grant awards announced by the Commission in March 2023.2

Additional outreach grant funding will allow targeted eligible entities to receive grant

1 ACP Grant Program Second Report and Order, WC Docket No. 21-450, FCC 22-64 (2022) (Second ACP Order)

(establishing Outreach Grant Program). FCC, Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program, Funding

Opportunity No. FCC-ACOGP-23-001, Notice of Funding Opportunity at 4 (Nov. 10, 2022) (Initial NOFO), https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_outreach_grant_program_nofo.pdf.

2 For more information on ACP grant recipients as part of the Commission’s March 2023 target funding announcement, refer to: www.fcc.gov/acp-grants.

https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/acp_outreach_grant_program_nofo.pdf http://www.fcc.gov/acp-grants awards to conduct this necessary outreach to increase participation among those Americans most in need of affordable connectivity.

The Infrastructure Act and ACP rules3 require participating service providers to notify their broadband subscribers about the ACP and promote enrollment among eligible households within their service area. The ACP rules also require participating service providers to advertise the program in a manner reasonably designed to reach those consumers likely to qualify and in a format that is accessible to individuals with disabilities.

B. Program Goal, Objectives, Priorities, and Measures

1. Goal

The goal of the ACP Outreach Grant Program is to facilitate the promotion of the ACP and increase awareness of and participation in the ACP among eligible households. To support this goal, the FCC is providing federal financial assistance through the ACP

Outreach Grant Program to engage in targeted outreach to low-income households both to gauge existing levels of ACP awareness and to promote increased awareness of and participation in the program by eligible households.

2. Objectives

To support the ACP Outreach Grant Program goal, the FCC has identified three objectives:

• Expand and support diverse and impactful outreach efforts;

• Strengthen outreach partners by empowering them to mobilize people and organizations to help raise awareness about the ACP; and

• Increase ACP enrollment as a result of ACP Outreach Grant Program funded activities.

These objectives are consistent with the authorizing language in the Infrastructure Act and are also consistent with the Commission’s strategic goals and objectives.4

3. Program Requirements

The following are TCOP program requirements for this funding round:

• Familiarity with the ACP and experience with or knowledge of bridging digital disparities and connectivity issues.

• Target underserved low-income households or individuals that are not currently on a low-income broadband plan or that do not have broadband service.

• Target outreach in communities that have low ACP participation rates, to include those that are hard to reach populations (including minorities, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural or Tribal areas, and others who are or have been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality).

• Experience with, and past success in, conducting outreach regarding government programs and resources, particularly providing resources and directing services (such

3 For more information, refer to: eCFR :: 47 CFR Part 54 Subpart R -- Affordable Connectivity Program.

4 See FCC Strategic Goals Plan at 72-75.

https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-54/subpart-R?toc=1 as ACP application assistance) and education to people of color, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural or Tribal areas, and others who are or have been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

• Existing, trusted relationships with the communities that grant applicants expect to target (e.g., as “trusted messengers”), or the ability to readily establish those relationships, particularly relationships with people of color, persons with disabilities, persons who live in rural or Tribal areas, and others who are or have been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.

• Experience with or capability of providing multilingual outreach, including American

Sign Language, as applicable.

4. Performance Measures

The FCC has developed ACP Outreach Grant Program performance measures to assess progress toward the program’s goal and objectives through ongoing collection, analysis, and reporting of data. Quarterly progress reports will be used to collect grant recipients’ performance measurement data to ensure that ACP Outreach Grant Program funds are used for their intended purpose and achieve the stated outcomes in the grant application.

Detailed information on the geographic location and timing of outreach activities should be retained and submitted as part of quarterly progress reports.

Performance measures for the ACP Outreach Grant Program are:

• Awareness Measures o Number of outreach activities/events implemented by type (e.g., direct mail, door-to-door, etc.)

▪ Amount of funding spent on outreach activities by type

▪ Amount of personnel and/or volunteer hours spent on outreach activities by type, if applicable o Number of individuals reached by outreach type (e.g., direct mail, door-to-door, etc.) to increase awareness of the ACP

▪ For in-person engagement, number of eligible households that learned about the ACP for the first time because of a grant-funded outreach

• Enrollment Measures o Number and type of in-person enrollment assistance events held

▪ Number of individuals that participated in the in-person events

▪ Number of eligible households enrolled in the ACP during the event

▪ Number of new, eligible households enrolled in the ACP who (1) lacked access to home and mobile broadband internet or (2) lacked access to home broadband internet

V. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION

A. Target Funding Availability for this NOFO – TCOP Round 2: $5,000,000

The FCC will target $5 million of competitive funding available under this FY 2023 ACP

Outreach Grant Program – TCOP Round 2 NOFO.

The FCC will award TCOP funds based on four factors:

• Eligibility

• Merit-based review of application submissions;

• Risk assessment to confirm the financial stability and overall operational capacity of the applicant; and

• Maximum reach, effectiveness, and impact of the grant proposal.

B. Funding Ceiling:

The maximum (ceiling) amount TCOP applicants may apply for is: $400,000

C. Projected Number of Awards: 10 – 20

D. Period of Performance

For the ACP Outreach Grant Program, grant recipients must expend awarded funding against their approved projects and supporting milestones within 12 months (1 year).

• Projected period of performance start date: On or before November 2023

• Projected period of performance end date: On or before November 2024

Extensions to the period of performance may be allowed on a case-by-case basis with prior written approval from the FCC. For additional information on period of performance extensions, please refer to Section X - Post Award Reporting Requirements of this NOFO.

E. Eligible Applicants

TCOP eligibility will be limited to governmental and non-governmental Tribal entities that will conduct ACP outreach and enrollment assistance to eligible households on qualifying

Tribal Lands:

• Tribal governments and subdivisions thereof;

• Tribal designated housing entities;

• Tribal designated community-based organizations to include social service organizations;

• Tribal designated community anchor institutions;

• Tribal designated public service organizations; and

• Consortia of the entities listed above.

There are no exceptions to the above TCOP eligibility requirements, and submitted applications will only be reviewed if they meet the above-listed eligibility requirements.

F. Ineligible Entities

Grant recipients and sub-recipients that received funding under the initial ACP Outreach

Grant Program funding opportunities (NCOP, TCOP, Your Home, Your Internet Outreach

Grants, and ACP Navigator Pilot Program Outreach Grants) are ineligible to apply for and be considered for funding under the ACP Outreach Grant Program – TCOP Round 2.

In addition to any restrictions in 2 CFR Part 200, as implemented by 2 CFR 6000.1, broadband providers and their subsidiaries, affiliates, representatives, contractors, and agents are not eligible to participate in the ACP Outreach Grant Program – TCOP Round 2 or receive grant awards, either as grantees, pass-through entities, or subrecipients. For purposes of this grant program:

• A Broadband Provider is “a provider of broadband internet access service” as defined in 47 CFR Part 54.1800(d).5

• A Subsidiary is any entity in which a broadband provider (directly or indirectly) owns or controls more than 50 percent of the total voting power (or authority) of the entity, where no other individual or entity has de facto control.6

• An Affiliate is any entity that (directly or indirectly) owns or controls, is owned or controlled by, or is under common ownership or control with a broadband provider.

The term “own” means to own an equity interest (or equivalent thereof) of more than

10 percent.7

• A Contractor is any entity that has a mutually binding agreement with a broadband provider to provide goods or services to or on behalf of a broadband provider.8 An entity that receives unrestricted funding or support from a broadband provider (for example, the recipient of a charitable donation) is not a “Contractor” under this provision.

• An Agent or Representative is one that is authorized to act for or in the place of a broadband provider.9

Additional ineligible entities include broadband industry groups and trade associations that represent broadband providers; entities that are debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participation in federal assistance programs or activities; and entities that are ineligible by statute (such as 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations that engage in lobbying activities or organizations that are indebted to the United States and have judgment liens filed against them).10

For Tribal government broadband providers, the exclusion of broadband providers and their affiliates, subsidiaries, or representatives from eligibility does not extend to separate

5 See Affordable Connectivity Program, ACP Grant Program Second Report and Order, WC Docket No. 21-450, FCC 22-64, at para. 40 n.150 (2022) (Second Report and Order).

6 Cf. 47 CFR Part 1.5000(d)(10) (defining “Subsidiary” in the context of foreign ownership of FCC-regulated entities). For purposes of this definition, control includes both de jure and de facto control. See, e.g., 47 CFR Part

1.21001(d) (defining controlling interest for purposes of competitive bidding for universal support as including

“individuals or entities with positive or negative de jure or de facto control of the applicant”); Stratos Global

Corporation, Transferor, Robert M. Franklin Transferee, Consolidated Application for Consent to Transfer of

Control, Memorandum Opinion and Order and Declaratory Ruling, 22 FCC Rcd 21328, 21343, para. 35 (2007)

(stating “the Commission has taken an expansive view of what constitutes ‘control, ‘stating that the term, as used in section 310 [of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended], ‘embrace[s] every form of control, actual or legal, direct or indirect, negative or affirmative.’”).

7 See 47 USC 153(2).

8 For purposes of this grant program, where there is no existing FCC statutory or regulatory definition for a term in this section, we intend to rely on the common understanding of the term, as reflected in dictionary definitions. See

Merriam-Webster Dictionary, online version, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contractor, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contract (defining “contractor" as” one that contracts or is party to a contract,” and defining “contract” as “a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties, especially: one legally enforceable.”).

9 Merriam-Webster Dictionary, online version, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agent (defining

“agent” and “representative”.

10 See ACP Grant Program Second Report and Order, at paras. 41-42.

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/06/2022-17927/affordable-connectivity-program https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contractor https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contract https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agent https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/06/2022-17927/affordable-connectivity-program arms of the Tribal government that do not maintain, manage, or operate the Tribal government broadband network.

G. Cost Sharing and Matching

There will be no cost sharing or matching requirements for TCOP. However, applicants that propose a cost match or cost share will be given a priority consideration, among other considerations, in the event of a tie when making funding determinations. Cost share or cost match may be cash or in-kind contribution. If an applicant elects cost sharing or matching, the applicant must comply with 2 CFR Part 200.306.

VI. APPLICATION AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION

A. Key Application Submission Dates and Time

• TCOP Application Start Date: May 25, 2023

• TCOP Application Submission Deadline: July 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. EDT

All complete applications must be received by the established deadline. The www.grants.gov system has a date stamp that indicates when an application is submitted.

Applicants will receive an electronic message confirming receipt of their submission.

The FCC will not review applications that are received after the deadline or consider late applications for funding. Extending the application deadline may only be considered if technical problems occur, exigent or emergency circumstances that impact a wide range of applicants.

Applicants experiencing technical difficulties outside of their control must notify the FCC as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours prior to the application deadline, with documented proof of technical difficulties. The FCC will work with that applicant on a case-by-case basis to assist in resolving such matters prior to the application deadline.

Failure to timely notify the FCC of the issue that prevented the timely filing of the application may preclude consideration of the award. For additional assistance using www.grants.gov, please contact the Grants.gov Help Desk at (800) 518-4726 or support@grants.gov. For programmatic questions, please contact the FCC Grants Team by e-mail at ACPgrants@fcc.gov.

Applicants who reside in States or Territories where there is an active Federal emergency declaration that may hinder their ability to submit a grant application must notify the FCC of their intent to apply prior to the application submission deadline. The FCC will work with such applicants on a case-by-case basis in a reasonable manner.

B. Key Award Dates and Time

TCOP Anticipated Funding Selection Date: On or before late-September 2023

Anticipated Award Date: November 2023 http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:ACPgrants@fcc.gov

Other Key Dates:

Event Suggested Deadline for Completion

Obtaining a valid Employer Identification Number Four weeks before submission deadline

Creating a Login.gov account, for a single sign on registration, to then establish an organization registration with System for Award Management

(SAM) SAM.gov

Four weeks before submission deadline

Registering in Grants.gov and adding organization profile, or updating registration

Four weeks before submission deadline

Assigning roles and access in Grants.gov Four weeks before submission deadline

Starting application in Grants.gov Workspace Two weeks before submission deadline

Registering for FCC Registration Number Two weeks before submission deadline

Submitting the final application in Grants.gov No later than the submission deadline

Registering and applying for an award under this program is a multi-step process and requires time to complete. Organizations need to complete the preliminary steps outlined here in sufficient time to ensure they do not impact their ability to meet the required application submission deadline. For this funding opportunity, the FCC requires applicants to submit their application through Grants.gov. To access application forms and instructions, go to https://www.grants.gov under Assistance Listing (CFDA) Number:

32.011 – Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program. By submitting an application, organizations agree to comply with the requirements of this NOFO.

C. Obtaining Employer Identification Number (EIN)

All entities applying for funding must provide an EIN. It will be required to register your organization in SAM.gov. If your organization doesn’t have an EIN, one can be obtained from the IRS by visiting: Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) Online |

Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).

D. SAM Registration

All SAM.gov users have specified roles, with each type of role offering different levels of ability to interact with the system. Beginning March 3, 2023, Entity Administrator roles can only be held by employees, officers, or board members of the organization. A comprehensive role with elevated responsibilities, this change to the Entity

Administrator role ensures the entity is in control of and accountable for who can update their registration in SAM.gov, while allowing entities to continue to use service providers to manage their entity registration, if they wish. Effective March 3, 2023, when you register an entity or update an entity registration, you must attest to your affiliation with the entity.

If you are not an employee, officer, or board member of the entity, you will no longer be able to hold the Entity Administrator role. Instead, you will be given the Data Entry role. With that role, you can continue to register new entities, manage updates, and renew entity registrations, but you can't manage user roles. Entities are strongly encouraged to have at least one backup employee Entity Administrator assigned in case of staff changes or absences. For more information, read this guide for more about SAM.gov roles and permissions.

https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/apply-for-an-employer-identification-number-ein-online https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0017347&sys_kb_id=1ef0bf811bb7d5543565ed3ce54bcba2&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0017347&sys_kb_id=1ef0bf811bb7d5543565ed3ce54bcba2&spa=1 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0040696 https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0040696

Applicants must have a Login.gov account in order to register with SAM or update their

SAM registration. Login.gov provides a streamlined process with a single sign on for participating federal government agencies, eliminating the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords. Applicants can create a Login.gov account here: SAM

Registration. Applicants only have to create a Login.gov account once.

Once a Login.gov account is created, applicants can begin the SAM registration process which can take up to four weeks to complete. To ensure an application meets the deadline, applicants are advised to start the required steps well in advance of their submission.

Specific instructions on how to apply for, update, or verify a SAM registration, are available at SAM.gov Home. Applicants are advised that the FCC may not accept applications or make a federal award until the applicant has complied with all applicable

SAM requirements. An applicant’s SAM registration must be active throughout the entire application process, that is not only at the time of application, but also during the application review period, when the FCC is ready to make a funding announcement and issue a Notice of Award.

If an applicant’s SAM registration is expired at the time of application submission, expires during application review, or expires any other time before award, the FCC may determine that the applicant is not qualified to receive a federal award and use that determination as a basis for making a federal award to another applicant. Due to the competitive nature of the

ACP Outreach Grant Program, the FCC will not reach out to entities with expired SAM registration prior to making a federal award to another applicant. Further, a recipient’s

SAM registration must remain active, and its information current, for the duration of an active federal award.

After registering with SAM.gov, applicants will be issued a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

All entities applying for funding must have a UEI number and enter it in the applicable data entry field on the TCOP Application Template and application form (SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance).

In accordance with 2 CFR 25, all subrecipients must also have a Unique Entity Identifier

(UEI) issued to them to be included on an applicant’s application for funding, as well as prior to applicants issuing subawards to the subrecipients.

FCC recommends that all applicants require all subrecipients, contractors, and vendors to also register as an entity in SAM.gov prior to issuing any formal subawards. However, if applicants have existing policies and/or procedures currently in place that require subrecipients, contractors and vendors to have an active SAM registration for all federal funding, the recipient must adhere to whichever is the more stringent requirement. This will greatly assist applicants in fulfilling their pass-through entity and subrecipient monitoring requirements, as well as ensure there are no issues with FSRS and FFATA reporting. The responsibility for ensuring pass-through entity requirements lies with the applicant, including necessary risk reviews and for reporting requirements.

https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-%20a62b99571fd3 https://secure.login.gov/sign_up/enter_email?request_id=34f19fa8-14a2-438c-8323-%20a62b99571fd3 https://sam.gov/content/home

For more detailed instructions on registering with SAM, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-withsam.html.

Help with SAM: The SAM quick start guide for new recipient registration and SAM video tutorial for new applicants are tools created by the General Services Administration to assist those registering with SAM. If applicants have questions or concerns about a SAM registration, please contact the Federal Support Desk at GSAFSD Service Portal Landing –

GSA Federal Service Desk Service Portal or call toll free (866) 606- 8220.

E. Grants.gov Registration Information

• Creating a Grants.gov Account: The next step in the registration process is to create an account with Grants.gov. Applicants must know their organization’s UEI number to complete this process. For more information, follow the on-screen instructions or refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html.

• Adding an Organization Profile to a Grants.gov Account: A profile in Grants.gov corresponds to a single applicant organization the user represents (i.e., an applicant). If you work for or consult with multiple organizations and have a profile for each, you may log in to one Grants.gov account to access all your grant applications. To add an organizational profile to your Grants.gov account, enter the UEI number for the organization in the UEI field while adding a profile. For more detailed instructions about creating a profile on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html.

• Assigning User Roles: After adding an Organization Profile, the applicant’s request for

Grants.gov roles and access will be sent to their Ebiz point of contact (as entered into the organization’s SAM.gov account). The Ebiz POC will then log in to Grants.gov and authorize the appropriate roles, which will include a Workspace Manager (WM) and authorized organization representative (AOR), thereby giving your organization permission to complete and submit applications. Organizations will be able to submit applications online any time during the application submission window after they have assigned the AOR role. Applicants must ensure key points of contact assigned to various roles on Grants.gov are active personnel within their organization and available and able to complete key functions when required, such as submitting a grant application on behalf of the organization. Applicants are reminded that assigning key roles can take time and requires verification; as such, applicants are strongly encouraged to establish and verify roles weeks prior to the application submission deadline to avoid access and role issues. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to designate multiple individuals within their organization with key roles. For more detailed instructions about authorizing profile roles on Grants.gov, refer to https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html.

Help with Grants.gov: Grants.gov provides applicants 24/7 support via the toll-free number 1-800-518-4726 and email at support@grants.gov. For questions related to 32.011

– Affordable Connectivity Outreach Grant Program, contact the number listed in the application package of the grant to which you are applying. If you are experiencing difficulties with your submission, it is best to call the Grants.gov Support Center and get a https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-withsam.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/organization-registration/step-2-register-withsam.html https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/add-profile.html https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/registration/authorize-roles.html mailto:support@grants.gov ticket number. The Support Center ticket number will assist the FCC with tracking your issue and understanding background information on the issue.

F. FCC Registration Number (FRN)

In order to apply for TCOP, applicants are required to register for an FRN, using the

Commission Registration System (CORES). This unique 10-digit FRN is used to identify the registrant’s business dealings with the FCC. Applicants must enter their FRN as part of completing the TCOP Application Template. FRN is only required for applicants; sub-recipients will not be required to register and obtain an FRN.

To register with CORES, please use the following link:

https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do. The first step to setting up an account in CORES is creating a username and account in the FCC User Registration System using the following link: https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.htm. Before the account is activated, the user will receive an automated email titled “FCC Account Request

Verification” and must verify its account email address as prompted. Once the user is logged in to CORES, the user should select the “Register New FRN” or “Associate

Username to FRN” option as applicable from the menu options that appear and provide the information as prompted by CORES. Users will need to provide their taxpayer identification number or TIN to register. The TIN is a nine-digit number that the IRS requires of all individuals, businesses, and other employers to identify their tax accounts with the IRS. Once the user provides the information required in CORES and clicks

“Submit,” CORES will generate a new FRN or associate the user’s existing FRN with its account.

G. Timely Receipt Requirements and Proof of Timely Submission

All TCOP applications must be received electronically by no later than 6:00 p.m. EDT on

July 28, 2023.

To ensure there are no issues associated with uploading and submitting required application materials, applicants should give themselves ample time and not wait until the day of the submission deadline. Proof of timely submission is automatically recorded by Grants.gov.

An electronic date/time stamp is generated within the system when the application is successfully received by Grants.gov.

H. Content and Form of Application Submission

All applicants must submit all required forms and required documents listed in this section.

Applications missing any of the required forms or documents listed in this section may not be considered for review. To access standard forms, templates, and application instructions for this funding opportunity, go to Grants.gov click on the “Search Grants” tab. Enter the

NOFO Opportunity Number located on the cover of this announcement. Click on the highlighted Funding Opportunity Number that appears and then click on the various tabs to read the Synopsis, review the Version History, read the Full Announcement, and complete the Application Package. Read the entire TCOP NOFO – Round 2 Application Package carefully before preparing and submitting an application. Application must be submitted in electronic format only.

https://apps.fcc.gov/cores/userLogin.do https://apps2.fcc.gov/fccUserReg/pages/login.htm

1. Program-Specific Required Forms

a. TCOP Application Template

Eligible entities applying for TCOP funds are required to complete and submit the

TCOP Application Template available at www.grants.gov. This Excel-based template must be completed and uploaded to www.grants.gov in Microsoft Excel-form (.xls) on or before the application submission deadline to be considered for funding.

As part of the application process, the TCOP Application Template must demonstrate how proposed projects aid in performing outreach activities that will increase ACP awareness and enrollment for eligible households and must describe engagement with and/or impacts on the target populations. The proposal must demonstrate the ability to implement ACP outreach and application assistance efforts consistent with the purpose, goal, and objectives of the program and guidance provided by the FCC. Applicants must complete and submit all sections of the TCOP Application Template.

If the applicant intends to partner with sub-recipient(s) to carry out a portion of the proposed grant funded activity, the applicant must provide the name(s) and corresponding UEI(s) of all the sub-recipient(s) as part of the TCOP Application

Template. All sub-recipient(s) budget request should be accounted for as part of the applicant’s contract budget category.

As part of the Excel-based TCOP Application Template, the Detailed Budget

Worksheet tab is required for TCOP applicants and must be fully completed. The

Detailed Budget Worksheet tab reflects cost categories that appear on the SF-424A form. Applicants must itemize calculations for each cost category based on the instructions provided and in each subsection. This tab must be completed fully, for applicable budget categories, for the FCC to determine reasonableness and allowability of requested funds as part of the application review process. To assist with the completion of this Detailed Budget Worksheet Tab, the FCC has provided a sample Applicant budget that will be available at www.fcc.gov/acp-grants.

Budget information must support the proposed ACP outreach activities captured in the Application Template tab and dollar amounts identified in the SF-424 and SF-

424A forms. Proposed dollar amounts must also demonstrate that the project or activity meets the eligible use requirements in this NOFO. Applicants must provide details on the proposed use of project funds in achieving projected outcomes. The

Budget Narrative should address in detail how the funds awarded will be spent on a proposed project and how costs were determined across the following allowable cost categories:

• Personnel

• Fringe Benefits11

11 Fringe benefits are allowances and services provided by employers to their employees as compensation in addition to regular salaries and wages. For more information on how 2 CFR 200.431 defines fringe benefits, refer to:

eCFR :: 2 CFR 200.431 -- Compensation—fringe benefits.

http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.grants.gov/ http://www.fcc.gov/acp-grants https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRed1f39f9b3d4e72/section-200.431

• Travel

• Supplies

• Contractual

• Other

• Indirect Costs

The TCOP Application Template, to include completion of the Detailed Budget

Worksheet tab, must be submitted to deem a submission complete for review consideration. The Application Template must be submitted in Microsoft Excel form.

2. Standard Required Application Forms and Information

a. Form SF-424 – Application for Federal Assistance

Complete the SF-424 application form. This form may be completed on the

Grants.gov website or it can be completed offline in its entirety. This form (and all additional forms requiring a signature) must be signed by the applicant’s AOR.

Electronic signatures submitted through Grants.gov satisfy this requirement.

NOTE: Applications submitted through Grants.gov must use the SF-424 provided by Grants.gov. Applicants must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in order to view and download the SF-424 application forms. The SF-424 application form on

Grants.gov is formatted so applicants are only required to complete fields that are indicated with an asterisk (*) and color coded. Applicants are encouraged to fill out

Standard Forms offline. Once the application is complete, close the document (you will then be prompted to save changes or not).

b. Form SF-424A – Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs

Complete the budget in its entirety. Provide budget amounts by object class (e.g., salaries, fringe, travel, indirect). ). Budget amounts by object class must correspond with the ‘Budget Category Summary and Federal Request’ table found at the bottom of the Detailed Budget Worksheet tab within the TCOP

Application Template. Funds may be requested as long as the item and amount are necessary to perform the proposed work and are not precluded by the cost principles or program funding restrictions. Applicants are encouraged to fill out Standard

Forms offline. Additional guidance on how to complete the Form SF-424A can be found at: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html.

c. Standard Form LLL – Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (if applicable)

Complete Standard Form LLL. Complete this form if the applicant has engaged or intends to engage in lobbying activities.

d. Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

Submit the Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), if applicable. If the applicant is requesting its negotiated federal rate, submit the approved, current

NICRA attachment in Grants.gov. Please see Section VII. Funding Restrictions, Prohibitions, and Allowable Costs of this NOFO.

http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/forms.html

VII. FUNDING RESTRICTIONS, PROHIBITIONS, AND ALLOWABLE COSTS

The following funding restrictions, allowable, and unallowable costs are guided by the ACP

Outreach Grant Program ACP Grant Program Second Report and Order. Additionally, the

FCC has adopted the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit

Requirements set forth in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E as well as 2 CFR, Subtitle B, Part 6000.

A. Funding Restrictions

1. Neutrality of Grant-Funded Outreach Activities

Grant and subgrant recipients must maintain neutrality among participating service providers or groups of service providers when conducting grant-funded outreach activities. Eligible households can be directed to the Companies Near Me Tool12 or be shown the list of ACP provider(s)13 serving the area. If there is only one service provider serving the area, the grant or subgrant recipient may inform the eligible household of that lone provider’s information. This neutrality requirement ensures that the grant funding is not being used in a manner intended to specifically increase a particular provider’s program enrollment and protects eligible households’ right to choose their ACP provider and the type of broadband service that best fits their needs.

Grant and subgrant recipients are expressly prohibited from favoring, directing, steering, incentivizing or otherwise encouraging households to enroll with a particular provider when performing grant-funded outreach activities. When conducting grant-funded outreach, grant and subgrant recipients are also expressly prohibited from using service provider-branded items such as outreach materials, gifts, or incentives, and from offering or providing consumers gifts or other incentives provided by service providers. Grant and subgrant recipients may not accept funding in any form, including in-kind contributions, from a participating provider or a specific group of participating providers (including, but not limited to, broadband industry groups such as trade associations) for the purpose of conducting ACP outreach activities.

Service providers may attend grant-funded outreach events to provide eligible households information on the available service offerings to which they may apply their ACP benefit. Other service providers in the area where the outreach is conducted must have the same opportunity to attend and provide information on their services to which the ACP benefit can be applied. Companies Near Me Tool can be used to obtain a list of all providers operating in an area where outreach events are held.

Grant and subgrant recipients may collaborate with state agencies, public interest groups, and non-profit organizations to carry out public awareness campaigns that highlight the value and benefit of broadband internet access and the ACP.

2. Funding Restriction

Entities may only apply for either NCOP or TCOP funding. Entities may not apply for both NCOP and TCOP funding.

12 The ‘Companies Near Me’ tool can be accessed at: Companies Near Me - Lifeline Support - USAC.

13 Internet service providers participating in the ACP can be accessed at: Affordable Connectivity Program Providers

| Federal Communications Commission (fcc.gov).

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/09/06/2022-17927/affordable-connectivity-program https://cnm.universalservice.org/ https://www.fcc.gov/affordable-connectivity-program-providers https://data.usac.org/publicreports/CompaniesNearMe/Download/Report https://cnm.universalservice.org/

B. ACP Outreach Grant Program Prohibitions

1. Prohibition of Supplanting Other Outreach Funding

Grant or subgrant recipients may supplement but are prohibited from supplanting

(replacing) funds that have already been obtained or are expected to be received from other sources, such as federal, state, or non-governmental funding provided to carry out ACP outreach activities as described in this NOFO. Grant or subgrant recipients may not supplant funding from a participating provider or a specific group of participating providers (including, but not limited to, broadband industry groups such as trade associations) provided to carry out ACP outreach activities as described in this NOFO. To guard against supplanting, funding will be prioritized to new, innovative outreach efforts and not outreach efforts for which an applicant has funding or expects to receive funding from broadband providers or other sources.

ACP Outreach Grant Program funding is intended for ACP outreach costs for which applicants and their expected pass-through entities do not…