Digital Equity Act Programs (State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and Competitive Grant Program)

Digital Equity Act Programs (State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program and Competitive Grant Program) is sponsored by National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). The Digital Equity Act creates two federal grant programs to help promote digital equity, literacy, and inclusion initiatives at the local, state, and national levels.

California Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Program Draft Guidelines - For Public Comment | Broadband for All California Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Program Draft Guidelines – For Public Comment Submitted Public Comments Subgrant Program Guideline Sections Goals of the Capacity Subgrant Program Eligible Use of Funds and Program Requirements Proposed Allocation & Award Formula Information Requested from Applicants Proposed Schedule of Activities The California Department of Technology (CDT) requested public comment on the draft guidelines of the State Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant program from September 30 through October 29.

CDT will review submitted public comments and will update this page of the final grant guidelines when they are available. The State Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant will provide funding to local organizations to help them develop local digital equity plans, provide digital navigation services, offer digital literacy training, support targeted device distribution, and promote digital workforce development programs.

These combined actions will help members of covered populations overcome digital equity barriers and will support digital inclusion and outcomes related to education, healthcare, career development, and access to essential government benefit programs.

Read or print the California Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Program Draft Guidelines: View Submitted Public Comments CDT has developed an HTML version of the same draft guidelines to be available in over 100 languages and compatible with assistive technology. Access the HTML version of various sections of the draft subgrant guidelines below. Select your preferred language on the top right corner of the page.

Subgrant Program Guideline Sections Broadband for All is California’s comprehensive, multi-billion-dollar program to close the digital divide. It reflects the work of the California Broadband Council and its members, Executive Order N-73-20 , the Broadband for All Action Plan (2020), and the historic Broadband for All Act ( SB 156, 2021 ).

California’s State Digital Equity Plan (SDEP) represents the latest chapter in the evolution of the State’s Broadband for All program.

This plan describes how the State will pair its existing Broadband for All investments and efforts with new federal funding from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s (NTIA) State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program to advance digital equity in California, which means all Californians have access to the technology and digital skills they need to participate fully in modern society.

The plan’s vision embodies and expands on the State’s three long-term goals defined in the Broadband for All Action Plan and State Digital Equity Plan: Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses. Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband necessary devices. Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion.

California’s SDEP, approved by NTIA in April 2024, unlocked $70. 2 million in federal State Capacity Grant dollars to support its implementation. These draft guidelines and proposed allocations are dependent on the California Department of Technology (CDT) receiving the full award amount of $70.

2 million. CDT is the State’s Administering Entity to manage the State Digital Equity Planning and Capacity Grant Programs.

As outlined in the SDEP, CDT will structure the Capacity Grant program implementation around three components: Centralized Services : services procured by CDT to support the efficiency and effectiveness of capacity subgrant awardees and digital inclusion practitioners State Agency Digital Inclusion Efforts : programs that impact digital equity outcomes for Covered Populations statewide Capacity Subgrant Program : subgrants to eligible entities for allowable activities including local digital equity planning, localized digital navigation services, digital literacy training, targeted device programs, community center computer labs, workforce training programs, etc. CDT issues these draft Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant Program Guidelines to describe the requirements under which it will award subgrants through the Capacity Subgrant program to support SDEP implementation and further the goals of Broadband for All .

Informed by stakeholder input and in alignment with NTIA requirements, these Draft Guidelines specify CDT’s investments in statewide, regional and local planning, ecosystem development, and capacity building that address digital equity through defined activities to benefit California’s Covered Populations, consistent with the SDEP. 2.

Goals of the Capacity Subgrant Program The NTIA requires CDT to consider four focal points in examining proposed State Digital Equity Capacity Grant strategies: Focus on Covered Populations : Activities should align with the State’s Digital Equity Plan’s goals and objectives, and the priorities of the Covered Populations being served, including subgroups within each Covered Population.

Priority should be given to activities with the greatest potential impact, such as targeting Covered Households (i.e., low-income individuals) within other Covered Populations. Long-lasting and Meaningful Change: Digital Equity Plans are intended to address the systemic barriers and gaps to digital access. Activities should reflect this goal and consider the sustainability of initiatives created through this funding.

Measurable Implementation Strategies: Proposed programs and activities should be based on objectives that are measurable, achievable, sustainable, timebound, and are designed to address identified disparities directly and logically.

Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholders who are directly affected by the proposed strategies and interventions should be involved to encourage ongoing feedback regarding the effectiveness of the interventions and to seek input on potential solutions and improvements.

As defined in the SDEP, the California Capacity Subgrant Program (the “Program”) will address these focal points by funding further statewide, regional and local planning and alignment, and the delivery of digital inclusion services from trusted messengers in existing statewide and community-based organizations and institutions who can provide support in the communities and languages in which it is needed most.

The SDEP identifies barriers to digital equity for eight Covered Populations outlined in the Digital Equity Act and includes the State’s strategies to achieve specific objectives for each of the State’s Broadband for All goals. Goal 1: All Californians have high-performance broadband available at home, schools, libraries, and businesses.

This goal and its corresponding objectives will be addressed through the continued build-out of existing Broadband for All investments and Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD)-funded projects.

This Program is structured around funding further planning, ecosystem development, and capacity building for statewide and regional/local coalitions to implement strategies to overcome digital equity barriers experienced by Covered Populations and supports SDEP Goals 2 and 3, and their Objectives: Goal 2: All Californians have access to affordable broadband necessary devices . Objective 2.

1: Decrease the percentage of Californians who cite cost as the primary barrier to internet service. Objective 2. 2: Reduce the percentage of Californians who rely solely on a smartphone to use the internet due to devices being inaccessible and unaffordable and increase the percentage with a home computing device.

Objective 2. 3: Increase the percentage of Californians enrolled in low-cost internet options and subsidies, including the Affordable Connectivity Program or successor program. Objective 2.

4: Reduce the average cost that covered populations pay for internet service. Goal 3: All Californians can access training and support to enable digital inclusion. Objective 3.

1: Increase the availability of digital literacy, cybersecurity, and skills training programs. Objective 3. 2: Increase the percentage of Californians who have access to technical support services for internet-connected devices.

Objective 3. 3: Reduce the percentage of Californians whose concerns for privacy and cybersecurity prevents broadband adoption or effective use. Objective 3.

4: Increase the percentage of Californians who possess basic, intermediate, and advanced digital literacy skills. Objective 3. 5: Expand the number of members of covered populations trained/hired in broadband infrastructure and technology jobs.

Objective 3. 6: Increase the percentage of Californians who utilize the internet to apply for or use public benefits and other essential services and can participate in civic and social engagement online.

Through the accomplishment of the SDEP Goals and Objectives, the Program is also designed to help advance California’s State Policy Outcomes: Digital literacy & inclusion​ Workforce & economic development Essential services, accessibility & civic engagement​ Tribal collaborations & partnerships The Program will accomplish these overarching goals, objectives, and outcomes by supporting the implementation of statewide, regional and local planning, ecosystem development, and capacity building to support digital inclusion activities through the development of local and targeted statewide digital equity and inclusion ecosystems in two funding tracks.

Track 1: Regional/Local Digital Equity Ecosystems and Implementation ​ (expected to be no less than 54% of California’s total State Capacity Grant allocation) – subgrants to (1) develop and refine local digital equity plans and (2) provide capacity to implement digital equity activities directly or through secondary subgrants to local eligible entities with a focus on: Local alignment with the SDEP Strategies, Key Activities and Measurable Objectives Local digital equity asset identification and implementation strategy Track 2: Targeted Statewide Digital Equity Ecosystems​ (expected to be no less than 9% of California’s total State Capacity Grant allocation) – subgrants to support ecosystem development, planning, and innovation for State outcome areas and Covered Populations which may be served more effectively in statewide, rather than regional or local, ecosystems.

CDT will utilize the remainder of the State Capacity Grant funds on Centralized Services, State Agency Digital Inclusion Efforts, and costs associated with administering the grant, evaluation, and maintaining and updating the State Digital Equity Plan.

The following definitions are derived from the Digital Equity Act, NTIA requirements, and California’s SDEP: Allowable Use : use of grant funds towards costs for activities permitted by the NTIA Digital Equity Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) and the Subgrant Program guidelines.

Community Anchor Institution : a public school, a public or multi-family housing authority, a library, a medical or healthcare provider, a community college or other institution of higher education, a State or Territory library agency, and any other nonprofit or governmental community support organization.

Covered Populations [1] : Individuals who live in covered households (households with income from the most recently completed year of not more than 150% of the poverty level1 [2] ); Aging individuals (an individual who is 60 years of age or older); Incarcerated individuals (as defined by the State of California), other than individuals who are incarcerated in a federal correctional facility; Veterans (a person who served in the active military, naval, air, or space service, and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable); Individuals with disabilities (with respect to an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual; a record of such an impairment; or being regarded as having such an impairment); Individuals with a language barrier, including individuals who— a.

are English learners; and b.

have low levels of literacy; Individuals who are members of a racial or ethnic minority group; and Individuals who primarily reside in a rural area (any area other than – a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; any urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants; and in the case of a grant or direct loan, a city, town, or incorporated area that has a population of greater than 20,000 inhabitants.)

Digital Equity : the condition in which individuals and communities have the information technology capacity that is needed for full participation in the society and economy of the United States.

Digital Equity Assets (“Assets”) : organizations (including, but not limited to, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, internet service providers, philanthropic entities such as foundations, and government agencies), programs, services, funding, and other resources that are, or can be, leveraged to promote digital equity and support the implementation of the State Digital Equity Plan.

Digital Equity Ecosystem (“Ecosystem”) : the network of digital equity assets in a locality, region, or the state.

Digital Inclusion : the activities that are necessary to ensure that all individuals in the United States have access to, and the use of, affordable information and communication technologies, such as— Reliable fixed and wireless broadband internet service; Internet-enabled devices that meet the needs of the user; and Applications and online content designed to enable and encourage self-sufficiency, participation, and collaboration; and Obtaining access to digital literacy training; The provision of quality technical support; and Obtaining basic awareness of measures to ensure online privacy and cybersecurity.

Digital Literacy : the skills associated with using technology to enable users to find, evaluate, organize, create, and communicate information.

Digital Navigators : trusted community organizations or community members who conduct the following activities: Assess users’ individual needs and goals Advise on availability and access to low-cost offers for devices and internet service Connect residents to or provide digital literacy training Hardware and software technical support efforts Individual, one-on-one support Communal, group-based support Eligible Applicant : an entity eligible to apply for Digital Equity Capacity Subgrant funding permitted by the NTIA Digital Equity Capacity Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) and the Subgrant Program guidelines.

Lead Applicant : the designated applicant for a partnership application. Second-tier Subgrant: a formal agreement that includes the provision of funding between the Lead Applicant and a participating partner organization to further the goals of their Capacity Subgrant, if awarded. Tribe : California Native American tribes.

[1] Source: https://www. ntia. gov/federal-register-notice/2024/notice-funding-opportunity-state-digital-equity-capacity-grant-program [2] As determined by using criteria of poverty established by the Bureau of the Census.

Eligible entities must be located and operate in the State of California. Lead applicants for the Capacity Subgrant must come from the following entities: A local political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality of the State of California, including an agency of the State that is responsible for administering or supervising adult education and literacy activities, or for providing public housing, in the State.

A foundation, corporation, institution, organization, or association that is: a not-for-profit entity; and not a school (schools may be eligible as community anchor institutions) A community anchor institution. A local educational agency. An entity that carries out a workforce development program.

A partnership between any of the entities listed above. CDT encourages applications from partnerships of multiple eligible entities. CDT also encourages the following applicants to apply for each funding track.

Encouraged Eligible Applicants by Funding Track CDT encourages applications from the following types of eligible entities for Funding Tracks 1 and 2. Note that these are not minimum requirements, and applicants do not need every listed category of experience to be eligible.

Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems ​ CDT encourages Track 1 applications from applicants with the following experience: Local/regional coalition-building Digital equity or digital inclusion planning or programming Managing federal or state grants Awarding grants or subgrants CDT encourages the submission of one application per county representing the partnership of interested eligible entities within each county.

Additionally, eligible entities in multiple counties may also partner together to submit one multi-county joint application. Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems ​ CDT encourages Track 2 applications from applicants with the following experience: Statewide coalition-building Digital equity or digital inclusion planning or programming Managing federal or state grants Applicants with a statewide network of partners 5.

Eligible Use of Funds and Program Requirements Awards made under the Program must advance the Program’s goals, objectives, and outcome areas by supporting the implementation of digital inclusion activities through the development of regional, local, and targeted statewide digital equity and inclusion ecosystems. The period of performance for all awards made under the Program is 3 years and 10 months from the date of award.

Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems ​ All Track 1 Subgrantees must use their awarded funding for digital equity planning and implementation of activities within their specified county or multi-county region. Development or refinement of regional/local digital equity plans that align with the SDEP.

CDT plans to share a local digital equity plan template and local digital equity data collection tools such as the Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey and the Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping (DEEM) asset inventory tool with subgrantees to support the development of their local plans.

At a minimum, regional/local digital equity plans should include: Regional/local vision, goals, and objectives for digital equity in alignment with the SDEP’s vision, goals, and objectives Barriers to digital equity faced by Covered Populations in the region/county (if different than outlined in SDEP) Assets to be leveraged for digital equity program implementation (including existing funding, programs, and partners, such as local internet service providers, community-based organizations, and philanthropic partners) A regional/local implementation strategy that is holistic, addresses the barriers to participation in the digital world, and aligns with SDEP activities An explanation of how the implementation strategy will supplement and/or leverage existing federal, state, local, and private funding and initiatives for long-term sustainability Plans to collaborate with or make second-tier subgrants to key stakeholders in the county/region, especially those that represent the interests of or provide services to Covered Populations A timeline for implementation of the plan Regional/local digital equity plans must be completed and approved by CDT before Capacity Subgrant awards may be used for implementation of activities.

If the county or region has previously completed a local digital equity plan, it must demonstrate to CDT that the pre-existing plan meets all minimum requirements before Capacity Subgrant awards may be used for implementation of activities.

Implementation of local digital equity activities that align with the SDEP and regional/local digital equity plan, such as: Broadband adoption campaigns Broadband adoption efforts focusing on enrollment in affordable internet service programs Digital navigation services Referring or conducting digital literacy training Targeted device programs to ensure devices are relevant and useful, and hardware and software sensitive to specific needs for specific Covered Populations Establishment of computer labs/digital literacy training programs at community centers (Senior Centers, Veterans Halls) Workforce training programs and apprenticeships (broadband infrastructure and tech jobs) Making second-tier subgrants to eligible applicants (as listed in Section IV) in the county/region to implement any of the above activities.

Regional/local digital equity plans must be completed and submitted to CDT for approval within 6 months of award. If entities cannot complete the plan within this timeframe, CDT may consider requests for extension, not to exceed 12 months. CDT expects to complete its review and approval of regional/local digital equity plans within 3 months of receipt.

Each regional/local digital equity plan must address the entirety of the county or multi-county area it represents, including municipalities, unincorporated areas, and rural areas. If a lead applicant is awarded for a multi-county area, a regional/local digital equity plan must be submitted for each county. Regional/local digital equity plans may include individual plans for cities within the county.

All subgrantees are required to contribute to CDT’s ongoing collection of responses for the Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey and DEEM tool to continue to build out statewide and regional/local needs assessments and asset inventories. All subgrantees encouraged to leverage CDT’s provided Centralized Services to support the efficiency and effectiveness of their implementation activities.

If subgrantees opt out of utilizing the Centralized Services, they must provide justification and receive approval from CDT before Capacity Subgrant awards may be used for similar services. In the instance that Centralized Services do not meet unique needs of a certain region (for instance digital literacy training if specific languages beyond English and Spanish), exceptions will be granted if noted in applications.

Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems ​ Track 2 subgrants will fund digital equity activities that serve at least one Covered Population or outcome area. These may include, but are not limited to, digital equity activities for: Individuals with disabilities All Track 2 Subgrantees must use their awarded funding for the following purposes within their specified Covered Population or outcome area.

Ecosystem-building and ongoing planning to identify additional statewide/regional/local partners and develop a plan for mobilizing and obtaining resources to support the specific needs of the Covered Population or interventions and innovation for the specified outcome area. Track 2 subgrantees must include a plan for regional/local coordination with Track 1 subgrantees.

Statewide capacity-building for the ecosystem of partners to serve the specified Covered Population or outcome area. Capacity-building may include train-the-trainer and skill-building activities and other resources for partner organizations to better serve their constituents in the long-term.

Statewide innovative projects or solutions that can leverage other sources of funding to address an aspect of the digital divide without a current solution or supplements an existing solution in an innovative manner and uses a unique, novel, and/or creative approach aligned with an outcome area and/or tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by the Covered Population(s).

Track 2 Subgrantees must engage stakeholders across the state. All subgrantees are required to assist CDT with the ongoing collection of responses for the DEEM tool and Statewide Digital Equity Public Survey. All subgrantees encouraged to leverage CDT’s provided Centralized Services to support the efficiency and effectiveness of their implementation activities.

If subgrantees opt out of utilizing the Centralized Services, they must provide justification and receive approval from CDT before Capacity Subgrant awards may be used for similar services.

In the instance that Centralized Services do not meet unique needs of a certain Covered Population or outcome area (for instance digital literacy training if specific languages beyond English and Spanish), exceptions will be granted if noted in applications.

Focus on Covered Populations All applications awarded under either Funding Track must benefit Covered Populations within the applicant’s county/region, specified Covered Population or outcome area. Applications should additionally prioritize Covered Households and consider intersectionality among Covered Populations to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of proposed activities.

Subgrants awarded under Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems ​ must develop plans and implement activities to drive towards measurable objectives to benefit members of all Covered Populations within the county/region or multi-county joint application regions (if multiple areas partner on one application to pool resources and leverage economies of scale).

Subgrants awarded under Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems ​ must benefit at least one Covered Population or outcome area statewide. 7. Proposed Allocation & Award Formula The NTIA used the following formula in determining the State’s Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocation.

Total number of members of Covered Populations (25%) Comparative Lack of Broadband Availability and Adoption (25%) Minimum allocation of one-half (0. 5) percent Based on stakeholder feedback, CDT is proposing the following modified allocation criteria.

Track 1: Regional/Local Ecosystems ​ Tentative award allocation percentages of total Track 1 funding per county were calculated using a formula-based approach to ensure geographic diversity and equity.

The formula considered: Covered Populations (75%) : To ensure service to Covered Populations is prioritized, 75 percent of a county’s allocation is based on the number of individuals in the county who are members of Covered Populations, in proportion to the total number of individuals in the State of California who are members of Covered Populations, as determined by data from the US Census Bureau and NTIA’s Digital Equity Act Population Viewer , which was used in NTIA’s formula that determined the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant allocation.

Relative Lack of Broadband Availability and Adoption (25%) : To ensure consideration for each county’s relative lack of broadband availability and adoption, 12. 5 percent of a county’s allocation is based on the county’s relative lack of broadband availability and 12.

5 percent is based on the county’s relative lack of broadband adoption relative to all counties, as determined by the most current broadband data available from CPUC’s 2023 CASF Annual Report and the broadband adoption data from the Digital Equity Act Population Viewer . Minimum Allocation : A minimum allocation of 0. 5 percent of the total Track 1 funding pool was assigned to counties whose formula allocations amounted to less than 0.

5 percent of the total funding pool and for counties that had less than 20,000 in total population. CDT expects to award Track 1 subgrants based on the following tentative county allocations, as determined by the formula which was developed with public input. If an applicant serves multiple counties, the applicable county allocations will be summed.

For example, if a Consortium applies for service to three counties, the applicant will be eligible to access the total allocation for those three counties. The below percentages correspond to the proposed allocation criteria in this section. These may be subject to further change based off of public comment.

County Allocation Alameda County 3. 2% Alpine County 0. 5% Amador County 1.

0% Butte County 0. 6% Calaveras County 0. 9% Colusa County 0.

5% Contra Costa County 2. 1% Del Norte County 1. 2% El Dorado County 1.

2% Fresno County 2. 3% Glenn County 0. 8% Humboldt County 0.

7% Imperial County 0. 9% Inyo County 0. 5% Kern County 2.

2% Kings County 0. 7% Lake County 0. 9% Lassen County 1.

6% Los Angeles County 19. 1% Madera County 0. 8% Marin County 0.

6% Mariposa County 0. 5% Mendocino County 1. 5% Merced County 0.

8% Modoc County 0. 5% Mono County 0. 5% Monterey County 1.

2% Napa County 0. 5% Nevada County 0. 5% Orange County 5.

8% Placer County 0. 8% Plumas County 0. 5% Riverside County 5.

1% Sacramento County 2. 8% San Benito County 0. 5% San Bernardino County 4.

8% San Diego County 6. 0% San Francisco County 1. 6% San Joaquin County 1.

7% San Luis Obispo County 0. 9% San Mateo County 1. 5% Santa Barbara County 1.

4% Santa Clara County 3. 6% Santa Cruz County 0. 8% Shasta County 1.

0% Sierra County 0. 5% Siskiyou County 1. 4% Solano County 1.

0% Sonoma County 1. 3% Stanislaus County 1. 2% Sutter County 0.

5% Tehama County 0. 9% Trinity County 0. 5% Tulare County 1.

4% Tuolumne County 1. 1% Ventura County 2. 0% Yolo County 0.

6% Yuba County 0. 5% Track 2: Targeted Statewide Ecosystems ​ CDT expects to award Track 2 subgrants within a range of $400,000 to $1,000,000. Subgrant recipients may only use federal award funds to pay for allowable costs of funds under the federal State Digital Equity Capacity Program .

Allowable costs are determined in accordance with the cost principles identified in the grant program’s authorizing legislation. In addition, costs must be reasonable, necessary, allocable, and allowable for the proposed activities, and conform to generally accepted accounting principles.

Subgrant funds may be used to cover only eligible costs incurred by the recipient during the period of performance, and for allowable costs incurred by the recipient during the subgrant closeout process. Applicants must comply with the requirements of 47 U.S.C. §1723(d)(3)(D) of the Digital Equity Act and these Program Guidelines.

An Eligible Entity awarded must use the subgrant funds only for Eligible Uses defined in Section V. Additional funding restrictions are as follows: Planning Costs: No more than five (5) percent of the amount of the subgrant for this purpose or $50,000, whichever is the higher amount, may be used for Track 1 or Track 2 digital equity planning activities. Prohibition on Supplanting: Pursuant to 47 U.S.C.

§1723(h) , Capacity Subgrant awards must supplement, not supplant, other federal or State funds that have been made available to carry out digital equity activities described at 47 U.S.C. §1723 and in these Program Guidelines. Evaluation Costs: No more than five (5) percent of the amount of the subgrant may be used to evaluate the efficacy of the efforts funded by the subgrants made to subgrantees.

Administrative Costs: No more than three (3) percent of the amount of the subgrant may be used for administrative costs (exclusive of costs for program evaluation and digital equity planning) in carrying out allowable activities under this Program and described in the Capacity Subgrant award.

For this purpose, the three (3) percent limitation on administrative expenses includes the combined total of indirect and direct administrative costs charged to an award. The applicant must clearly describe in the budget narrative how it applied or calculated the three (3) percent limitation on administrative costs.

Broadband Subsidies: No more than ten (10) percent of the amount of the subgrant may be used to fund subsidies for the provision of broadband services through affordable broadband programs. Pre-Award Costs: Reasonable pre-application expenses incurred between Request for Application (RFA) release date and the application deadline in an amount not to exceed $10,000 may be recoverable under federal rules ( 2 C. F.

R. §200. 458 ).

Pre-application expenses, which include expenses related to preparing an application, may be reimbursed if they are incurred after the publication date of the RFA and prior to the date of issuance of the grant award from CDT, except that lobbying costs and contingency fees are not reimbursables from grant funds.

These costs should be clearly identified in the proposed budget and must be approved by CDT in writing to be considered allowable. Pre-application costs are incurred at the sole risk of the applicant and will not be reimbursed by CDT if the application does not receive an award pursuant to this Program.

If approved, pre-award costs would be considered to be administrative costs, and would count against the administrative cost cap for the award. Device Costs: CDT encouraged NTIA Competitive Grant applicants to apply for funding for devices given their high cost relative to the Capacity Subgrant Program’s total available funds.

CDT suggests that subgrantees as part of their awards identify philanthropic and private partners to fund the cost of devices.

Reimbursement for computing devices used in community training rooms or other public spaces, such as local government centers, senior centers, public libraries, nonprofit organizations, and community-based organizations (i.e., in-classroom computers) is capped at $11,250 per award and limited to $750 per device (device software costs will be considered a separate expense).

Reimbursement for take-home computing devices is capped at $300 per device, limited to two computing devices per eligible household, and limited to $40,000 per award.

Prior to making second-tier subgrants to any of the eligible entities listed in Section IV, the Subgrant recipient must require that the entity to which a second-tier subgrant is to be awarded certify that: The entity shall carry out the activities as required by these program guidelines; The receipt of the second-tier subgrant shall not result in unjust enrichment of the entity; and The entity shall cooperate with any evaluation of the program as it relates to the second-tier subgrant awarded to the entity.

9. Information Requested from Applicants A. Applicant or Applicant Team Summary The following information must be provided for the lead applicant: Eligible entity type (as described in Section IV) Evidence verifying lead applicant’s status as an eligible entity Organization’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) number assigned by SAM.

gov Organization Address and Contact Information Note: While CDT understands that Track 1 applicants may need to develop their local digital equity plans before finalizing activity details, Track 1 applicants should provide the following Application Narrative information to