Specifications include, but are not limited to: Leveraging state broadband availability data, the state's Digital Connectivity Plan, the state’s BEAD Initial Proposal, local insights, and knowledge of Utah's geography, demographics, high-cost areas, and technology landscape, the contractor will recommend to UBC the optimal system or process for allocation of BEAD funds through the competitive grant process to address broadband service gaps. The contractor will collaborate with UBC with the facets of Utah’s BEAD Program grant management to ensure the highest and best use of available BEAD funds to achieve affordable universal high-speed internet service across the state and state Tribal lands to households and businesses. The process includes, but is not limited to pending the approval of the UBC, the following steps and services: 2a.1 Utah BEAD Grant Program Development and Management ● Establishment and administration of a program that complies with state and federal BEAD requirements to facilitate the building of broadband infrastructure to households and businesses lacking high-speed internet ensuring universal broadband coverage across the state. UBC anticipates the contractor will complete the BEAD grant design process by August 28, 2024. The Grant management, technical assistance, compliance, and reporting may run up to 8 - 10 years following the approval of the Final Proposal or 2035. o Subgrantee Selection Process: Design and assist in managing a selection process that adheres to the guidelines outlined in Utah’s legislation (Utah Code 63N-17), federal rules, and the Initial Proposal. Recommend Utah Project Funding Areas, Extremely High-Cost Per Location Thresholds, matching capabilities per project area, and best technologies to maximize available funds and ensure universal coverage of high-speed internet availability across the state. o Software Solution for Grant Management: Contractor will work with GOEO to implement chosen software systems for the public-facing and grant management processes. Solution will meet the specified requirement, including broadband grant management and data warehousing functionalities that can integrate key data points seamlessly with GOEO’s Salesforce systems. Key points include information needed for GOEO contract creation, data retention, analytics, and compliance for federal reporting per BEAD requirements. Chosen solution must provide mapping capabilities and the integration of mapping into the grant process. In addition to a Salesforce system, UBC has a license for ArcGIS Hub and UGRC has a license for ESRI.
