Eligible applicants include:

• Municipalities and state agencies
• Nonprofit organizations and philanthropic foundations
• Educational and healthcare providers
• Community action agencies, career centers, and libraries
• Other organizations that can publicly deploy devices

Applicants must:

• Be physically located in Massachusetts
• Serving individuals strictly in Massachusetts
• Be in good legal standing
• Make devices available to the public at no cost, via onsite access or lending programs 

No. Per CPF guidelines jails and prisons are not considered publicly accessible and eligible entities for devices. 

Schools with programming or opportunities for public access to the devices would be eligible to apply. For example: A school could procure laptops through the Connected & Online Program for use in a tech lab or library to provide public access for students without devices at home. A school could also establish workshops to teach digital literacy and productivity tools, and on select evenings, parents and community members access the devices for education, skill-building and job training. 

Eligible projects will advance education, workforce development and health care access by providing devices that will expand broadband internet access and promote digital literacy and skills training. 

No. Only one application will be accepted and scored by MBI. Subsequent applications submitted will not be reviewed.  

 Yes. You must indicate this in your application which sites you will deploy your devices at.

No. MBI will procure and ship devices directly to awardees. No direct financial awards or reimbursements will be made. Applicants must be able to deploy devices within their existing programs and budgets.

Internal staff use is not a permissible activity by itself, however, staff assisted training or staff assistance with public use is permissible. For example: An eligible entity that establishes a program that would assist individuals with disabilities may have staff assisted training or staff assisted use of the laptop with other assistive technologies, like a screen reader. Provided these trainings or the use of the laptops is open to the public at no cost to the participant. 

The receipt of grant awards is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Compliance with the MBTA Communities Act is determined by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.

Opens: Monday, October 6, 2025

Closes: Friday, November 17, 2025

Yes. One Technical Assistance Session will be held and recorded on Wednesday, October 15 and applicants can submit questions during the Q&A period (October 6 - October 15). Answers will be posted by Wednesday, October 22.

Public access means that the laptops must be available for use on site and/or loan, at no cost to the public. Entities that wish to have laptops for training opportunities are permitted to apply provided those training opportunities are open to the public. Permissible use does not include internal staff use (use only by employees), but programs that provide staff assisted training for a member of the public are permitted.

No. However applicants are required to facilitate projects that expand access to work, education, and health monitoring to eligible populations. Applicants should clearly define how their project are facilitating this, applicants providing digitals skills training will receive bonus points.  

Yes, per CPF guidelines, the project must enable all three priority areas to be eligible. 

The facility must enable the public user to expand access to telehealth needs (e.g., conduct a doctor’s appointment or complete medical paperwork) 

Applicants may request a minimum of 30 devices or a maximum of 500 devices per organization/site. 

Devices are permitted to be loaned to individuals for use in their homes as well as available in the awardee’s public facing facility. Awardees may not charge an individual for use of devices whether accessed within the public facing facility or taken home on loan. 

The loan term length is at the discretion of the grantee. MBI does require an applicant to outline what a loan program would look like within their application. 

Based on the amount of interest MBI receives in the program, it is possible that an applicant will be awarded fewer devices than they requested in their application. MBI will be mindful of granting enough devices to maintain project integrity and uphold the intended community impact. 

Required documents include:

• W-9 form
• UEI Number
• Program narrative
• Submittable application

The narrative must include:

• Project scope and deployment timeline
• Justification for requested equipment
• Description of public access plans
• Monitoring and support strategies 

The Main Device Program is the core component of the Connected & Online initiative. All applicants must apply to the Main Device Program in order to receive laptops, tablets, desktops, and standard peripherals (e.g., monitors, keyboards, docking stations). This application requires a complete program narrative, equipment justification, and a plan for public deployment.

The Ancillary Equipment Add-On is optional and allows applicants to request additional equipment that supports device use. This includes items like:

• Remote Patient Monitoring kits
• Wi-Fi routers and access points
• Assistive technology (hardware/software)
• SMART Boards and Projectors
• Printers, scanners, and privacy booths 

No. You must apply for the Main Device Program in order to request any ancillary equipment. The ancillary application is considered an add-on and cannot be submitted on its own. 

The program narrative must describe:

• How ancillary equipment complements device use
• Its role in public access and broadband adoption
• Organizational capacity to manage it
• Justification for each item requested 

If applicants selected that they want to apply for ancillary equipment, they will be prompted in Submittable to complete additional questions within their existing application. Applicants must describe how the additional equipment supports broadband adoption, complements the use of the devices and enhances digital inclusion in your community.

Standard devices:

• Dell Pro 14 Laptop
• Dell Latitude Tablet
• Dell Chromebook 

Bundled Packages:

• Dell Pro Micro Desktop Bundle  
  • Dell Pro Micro Desktop (16GB RAM)
  • Dell Pro 24" Video Conferencing Monitor
  • Dell Wired Headset
  • Wired keyboard and mouse
• Dell Pro Slim Graphics Desktop Bundle
  • Dell Pro Slim Graphics Desktop (RTX)
  • Dell Pro 24" Video Conferencing Monitor
  • Dell Wired Headset
  • Wired keyboard and mouse 

Optional Software Add-Ons

• JAWS – New England Low Vision
• TD Snap
• Deep Freeze (only for devices being used in public spaces, software not eligible for lending programs) 

Core

• Epson Projector + Epson Whiteboard Set
• SMART Board (75-inch)
• Charging Cart for 36 Devices
• HP Color LaserJet Multifunction Printer
• Dell Pro Dock – WD25

Assistive & Health Technology

• iBloodpressure Classic (RPM Kit)
• Freestyle Libre 3 Glucose Monitor
• Ergonomic Large Print Keyboard
• Logickeyboard XLPrint (Black on Yellow)
• Logickeyboard Braille Keyboard
• X-keys L-Trac Trackball
• CST Vertical Wireless Mouse
• X-keys XK-12 USB Switch Interface
• Echo Dot
• Omron BP7900 (BP+EKG) Monitor 

Wi-Fi Equipment  

To request Wi-Fi equipment, organizations must submit a narrative describing their specific needs. Based on this narrative, an appropriate equipment package will be provided from the components listed below.

• Ruckus R370 Indoor AP: Provides Wi-Fi signal
• Ruckus 1 GbE PoE+ Switch: Powers and connects APs
• Ruckus 10 GbE Core Switch: Aggregates traffic from edge switches
• Ruckus Power Cord: Powers the switches
• Ruckus 10G SFP+ Optic: Links edge switches to core switches 

No. MBI has contracted with a vendor to provide the devices outlined above.

No. The Connected & Online Program will only be deploying devices to awarded applicants utilizing the funds identified for this program to purchase those devices. 

The awardee will be responsible for the setup of the laptops upon delivery. However, if you require assistance, you may request deployment support in your application. MBI has a contracted vendor available to set up equipment on-site for those who request it. Please detail your specific deployment needs in your application. 

Yes.

Laptops: Comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office and antivirus software. Includes three-year Dell warranty covering accidental damage and hardware issues.  

Desktops: Comes pre-installed with Microsoft Office and antivirus software. Includes a two-year Dell limited hardware warranty plus service with onsite service after remote diagnosis.

Tablets & Chromebooks: Includes three-year Dell warranty covering accidental damage and hardware issues.

For organizations working with clients who have assistive technology needs JAWS–New England Low Vision and TD Snap are available as add on’s.  

No. The laptops, desktops and tablets do come equipped with the ability to connect to the internet, but internet service is not provided directly to any devices. 

The grantee is required to follow Uniform Guidance under 2 C.F.R. § 200.313. A control system must be in place to ensure safeguards for preventing property loss, damage or theft. Any loss, damage or theft of equipment must be investigated. The recipient must notify MBI of any loss, damage or theft of equipment that will have an impact on the grantees program and ability to report out on metrics.

Yes. Awarded applicants will be provided technical assistance contact information upon completion of the contract. 

Applications to the Main Device Program will be evaluated on a 100-point scale, with up to 20 additional bonus points available for projects that serve priority populations or offer added community benefits.

Scoring criteria include:

• Project Impact (20 points)
• Feasibility & Readiness (20 points)
• Community Engagement & Accessibility (20 points)
• Equipment Effectiveness & Program Alignment (20 points)
• Monitoring & Evaluation Plan (20 points)
• Bonus Points (up to 20 points) for factors such as serving Gateway Cities, integrating digital skills training or committing to refurbish/recycle displaced devices 

The Ancillary Equipment Add-On is scored separately from the Main Device Program, with a maximum score of 50 points. This scoring evaluates how well the requested equipment supports the deployment and impact of the core devices.

Scoring factors include:

• Public Access or Integration Readiness: Does the equipment clearly support digital inclusion and complement device use?
• Organizational Experience: Does the applicant have a strong track record in education, workforce or health care?
• Operational Readiness: Is there a clear plan and capacity to manage the equipment?
• Empowerment-Centered Implementation: Does the equipment reduce barriers for underserved or high-need groups (e.g., disabled, rural, elderly, LEP)?
• Priority Bonus (10 points): Automatically awarded for requests from organizations like Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs) or disability-serving organizations requesting assistive or remote patient monitoring equipment.

Note: Ancillary applications are only reviewed if the Main Device Program application meets baseline eligibility. While scored separately, final award decisions will consider the overall strength and alignment of both components. 

Your organization will:

• Sign an agreement with MBI that confirms the number of devices to be received and their current monetary value. The agreement will require the applicant to adhere to US Treasury reporting requirements.
• Receive devices via shipment and sign the transfer of ownership
• Confirm delivery and activation (serial numbers)
• Begin public deployment within three months 

Quarterly Inventory Narratives: detailing devices in circulation, basic usage counts and any lost or retired units.

Program Impact Report: due by Thursday, December 31, 2026

Close-Out Package: includes a final Asset Disposition Log 

Grantees are not required to return the devices at the end of the period of performance and will maintain ownership indefinitely. 

MBI and U.S. Treasury will oversee device usage to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines through Thursday, December 31, 2026. The contractual performance period spans from the date indicated in awarded applicants contract to Thursday, December 31, 2026. Following the program’s completion, the grantee must retain ownership of the devices for at least five years, until Wednesday, December 31, 2031. Any subsequent use, transfer or disposal must adhere to grant guidelines and applicable regulations.