Broadband for All: Affecting Policy at the Federal Level
How we helped a state agency access $1.3 billion in federal funding to fulfill their mission of making low-cost, high-speed internet services accessible for all residents.
Client
ConnectLA, the state broadband resource in Louisiana, aims to eliminate the state's digital divide by 2029. Established to address the state’s critical infrastructure gap, ConnectLA plays a pivotal role in ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet for all residents.
According to ConnectLA, about 43.6% of individuals or households lack access to a low-cost, high-speed internet service for their homes, which is critical in giving these individuals and businesses the same opportunities as those in major cities. ConnectLA is responsible for administering federal funds, such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, funded by the Infrastructure, Investment, and Jobs Act (IIJA) to expand broadband infrastructure and affordability.
Challenge
ConnectLA received the approval of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and was allocated its full BEAD program allotment of over $1.355 billion. As the first state to navigate the complexities of this new federal grant program, ConnectLA leaders faced opportunities and challenges; they had no blueprint to follow to operationalize and manage the BEAD program.
ConnectLA was in a great position to serve Louisiana communities. However, the team needed help developing a broadband implementation plan from scratch while meeting tight deadlines and compliance requirements.
The vast geographic expanse of Louisiana, coupled with its diverse population, necessitated a comprehensive and equitable approach to broadband deployment. ConnectLA needed to establish a robust program management system, develop effective partnerships, and maintain compliance with federal regulations to maximize the impact of this historic investment.
In addition, many of Louisiana’s internet service providers (ISPs) weren’t prepared to take on these jobs; before the IIJA, for-profit entities such as ISPs weren’t typically eligible for federal grant funding, and many Louisiana-based ISPs didn’t have the administrative bandwidth or staff knowledge to navigate large federal funding programs and their complex compliance measures.
Approach
Initial Proposal Process
EisnerAmper’s experienced government services team was already familiar with and closely following the federal regulations surrounding the BEAD program. We met with NTIA officials to assist with ConnectLA's Initial Proposal Volume I and II process by discussing the program, how the state would implement it, and various policies and procedures they would need to secure approval. During these meetings, we supported the program management process with:
- Compliance, subrecipient management, and monitoring guidance;
- Auditing and document retention;
- Initial Proposal development; and
- Meeting with federal agencies to better understand the expected framework and provide feedback on how certain rules affected implementation.
We knew that ISPs weren’t typically familiar with federally funded projects, so having a clear and practical program was essential in setting them up for success. Our team considered ISPs throughout the process and evaluated every facet of the program through their point of view. We advised on how to make the policies and procedures feasible for ISPs to comply with and implement, giving them a better chance to win BEAD funded broadband projects.
Policies and Procedures
After winning approval from the NTIA for BEAD funding, ConnectLA leaders needed to implement their comprehensive plan, including how they intended to run the program, how ISPs would interact with it, and how they could achieve 100% coverage in Louisiana. We also needed to help prepare internet service providers to implement these policies and procedures to apply for BEAD-funded projects.
Our team drafted fifteen federally compliant policies and procedures for ConnectLA's BEAD program to align with guidance from the NTIA, Uniform Guidance, state regulations, and the approved Initial Proposal Volume II for the state's plans. We also performed the startup and the integration and helped distribute the federal guidance for public comment.
Subgrantee Management
Grant Application Portal Development and IT Program Management
Results
The ConnectLA team had a big mission. EisnerAmper mobilized quickly, put the right teams in place, and provided the operational and advisory support ConnectLA needed to overcome challenges associated with the first-ever BEAD program implementation.
From the Initial Proposal process to advising on user experience, our team also kept ISPs in mind from start to finish to make sure the program would work for them. ISPs had ample time to learn more about the program and prepare administratively, setting them up for success when the application window opened. The prequalification process is complete, and Louisiana ISPs are well on their way to accessing BEAD-funded projects.
In addition, our team helped Louisiana create the foundation and become the blueprint for other states to utilize in applying for BEAD funding—making this a win for all states looking to make low-cost, high-speed internet services accessible state-wide. Now, our client has a solid foundation to run the program efficiently and achieve their goal: internet for all.
Grants Management