• Based on the small number of unserved and underserved BSLs that will remain after two grant solicitation rounds of the Gap Networks Grant Program and Round 1 of BEAD, MBI will not release a Round 2 grant solicitation. MBI will now proceed with direct negotiations with eligible entities to complete the BEAD subgrantee selection process.
• MBI will conduct direct outreach to providers to identify cost-effective solutions to provide access to reliable broadband service for the remaining BEAD-eligible BSLs. This outreach will involve engagement with known existing and prospective broadband providers within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts utilizing a variety of technologies, which may include fiber-optic, hybrid fiber / coaxial cable, fixed wireless and low earth orbit satellite.
• Throughout the negotiation process, MBI will continue to enforce all mandatory BEAD Program requirements as provided in the BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity and other program notices, guidance documents and waivers issued by NTIA.

• Providers that have not participated in the BEAD Program through the Pre-Qualification Process or the BEAD Round 1 grant solicitation are still eligible to participate in negotiations with MBI. However, all subgrantees will have to successfully complete the qualification process in order to be eligible to be provisionally selected by MBI as a subgrantee. All subgrantee selections, whether through the BEAD Round 1 grant solicitation or direct negotiations, are deemed to be provisional based on the federal requirement that all selections are subject to approval by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the Commonwealth’s BEAD Final Proposal.
• For each remaining municipality with BEAD-eligible BSLs, providers do not need to have existing or planned broadband infrastructure in either the municipality or an adjacent municipality to be eligible for selection as a subgrantee.

• MBI has updated the BEAD Funding Agreement Template. The updated agreement is available below in BEAD Program Resources.
• MBI is currently establishing the Extremely High Cost Per Location Threshold (EHCPLT) and will apply the EHCPLT to the grant applications submitted under the BEAD Round 1 grant solicitation, as well as proposals received in the negotiation phase. The EHCPLT provides a guidepost for the subsidy levels available through the BEAD Program.

The following entities are eligible to apply for funding through the Deployment Phase:

• Private companies (e.g. corporations, limited liability companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships, etc.);
• Local government entities (e.g. municipalities or municipal light plants that offer broadband service)
• Tribal governments
• Non-profit organizations
• Co-operatives, electric co-operatives and public or private utilities;
• Public utility districts;
• Public Private Partnerships, which are the long-term agreements between local government entities and private entities for the delivery and funding of broadband services; and
• Other entities that develop and/or operate broadband networks and can demonstrate the experience, capacity and financial resources and stability to satisfy the grant obligations.