Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 4 - ADMINISTRATION
Part XXI - Granting Unserved Municipalities Broadband Opportunities
Chapter 15 - Non-Deployment Subgrantee Selection
Section XXI-1501 - Fair, Open and Competitive Non-Deployment Selection Process

1. Priority 1 (20 percent of funds available for non-deployment)-Creation of the Louisiana CASH Program to be administered by a state agency with experience executing federal programs, such as the Department of Children and Family Services, Office of Community Development, Department of Health or Louisiana Board of Regents or other.

2. Priority 2 (80 percent of funds available for non-deployment). In line with the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity, additional non- deployment activities related to the following will be accepted:

1. Announcement and Public Notice. The availability of funding for eligible non-deployment activities will be published. This announcement will include detailed information about the application process, eligibility criteria and evaluation criteria. Notice will be made available for at least a 60-day period.

2. Eligibility Screening. There will be an initial screening of the applications to determine their eligibility based on the criteria outlined in the program guidelines. This screening will ensure that the applicants meet the basic requirements for participation.

3. Evaluation Criteria. There will be a set of objective evaluation criteria that will be used to assess the applications. These criteria will be established in advance and communicated to all potential applicants.

4. Review Panel. A review panel comprising subject matter experts, industry professionals and other relevant stakeholders, including "lived experts" such as affected residents, representatives from community anchor institutions or community leaders from faith-based, business based and non-profit organizations will be utilized. The panel members will have the necessary expertise to evaluate the applications based on the predetermined evaluation criteria. Panel members shall disclose any conflicts of interest that may arise from their participation in the process.

5. Evaluation Process: The review panel will individually review and evaluate each application based on the established criteria. They may use a scoring system or a qualitative assessment to ensure consistency and objectivity in the evaluation process.

6. Transparency and Public Input. A list of selected subgrantees will be published online, along with a summary of the evaluation process.

7. Appeals/Protest Process. An appeals process will be used that allows applicants to seek a review of the selection decision if they believe there were procedural errors or inconsistencies in the evaluation process. The protest process, official decisions and provider appeals shall be conducted in accordance with La. R.S. 51:2370.27(F) and 2370.28. The period for protesting an award shall not exceed seven days from the announcement of awards. The appeals process will provide a fair opportunity for applicants to present their case, and a separate review panel or independent entity may be involved in the appeal evaluation. Detailed announcements that include information about the application process, eligibility criteria and evaluation criteria will be published to ensure that numerous stakeholder groups or potential applicants are aware of the availability of funds and the steps necessary to apply.

1. Effect on Broadband Availability (30 points). Evaluate the potential effect of the proposed activities on improving broadband availability and access in underserved areas. Evaluate factors such as the number of households or businesses that will benefit, location within economically disadvantaged areas, the expected increase in broadband speeds and the overall significance of the project in addressing the digital divide.

2. Feasibility and Viability (25 points). Assess the feasibility and viability of the project. Consider the technical and operational aspects, including the proposed timeline, budget and resources required for successful implementation. Evaluate the applicant's capacity to carry out the project effectively, including their track record, partnerships and relevant experience including:

3. Project Management Plan (20 points). Evaluate the quality of the project management plan presented by the applicant. Evaluate the clarity and comprehensiveness of the plan, including objectives, milestones, deliverables and risk mitigation strategies. Assess the applicant's ability to execute the project efficiently and effectively.

4. Partnerships and Collaboration (15 points). Assess the strength and relevance of the applicant's partnerships and collaborations. Evaluate the involvement of local community organizations, government entities, educational institutions and other stakeholders. Evaluate how these partnerships contribute to the success and sustainability of the project.

5. Budget and Cost-Effectiveness (10 points). Evaluate the proposed budget and cost-effectiveness of the project. Assess the reasonableness of the budget in relation to the proposed activities and expected outcomes. Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the project in terms of the number of beneficiaries and the expected impact on broadband access.

6. The total score for each application will be calculated by summing up the scores from each criterion.

The applicants with the highest overall scores will be selected as subgrantees for eligible non-deployment activities in the BEAD program.