Maine's BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process
The Subgrantee Selection Process (SSP) is the two-step process by which MCA will evaluate prospective applicants on their organizational readiness to manage a BEAD-funded project.
Phase 1: Prospective Applicant Pre-Qualification Evaluation (September 18 - October 18, 2024)
- Prospective applicants will submit organizational-level information (technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity) that demonstrates their ability to meet the requirements of the BEAD program.
- Applicants will also be presented with a map of draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) and asked to indicate which they intend to apply for.
Phase 2: BEAD Project Application (Fall/Winter 2024)
- Prospective Applicants approved in Phase 1 will be invited to submit project applications for BEAD funding.
- Applicants will provide project-level information, including a bid for specific Project Service Areas (PSAs).
Pre-Qualification Evaluation
During the Prospective Applicant Pre-Qualification Evaluation, MCA will evaluate an applicant’s technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity. This evaluation is conducted at the organizational level. It is separate from, and prior to, MCA’s assessment of the capacity needed to successfully complete project-specific proposals in the subsequent BEAD Project Application phase.
The Pre-Qualification Evaluation will allow MCA to identify the pool of eligible applicants and work with those entities to ensure that the BEAD Project Application process is as streamlined and competitive as possible. This phase will also allow MCA to determine which prospective applicants meet the minimum qualifications set forth by guidance, included in the following documents.
- Maine's BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2
- Pre-Qualification Evaluation Supplemental Guidance (Sept 2024)
- BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
During the Pre-Qualification Evaluation, applicants will also be presented with draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) and asked to indicate which area(s) they intend to apply for during the BEAD Project Application phase. This selection will not be binding during Pre-Qualification Evaluation. The review of project-specific information will take place during the second phase of the Subgrantee Selection Process (the BEAD Project Application), where MCA will collect detailed information and bids for specific PSAs.
Within 30 days following the close of the Pre-Qualification Evaluation, MCA will notify prospective applicants of their pre-qualification status and ability to proceed into the BEAD Project Application period. Prospective applicants that are approved through Pre-Qualification Evaluation will be admitted to the BEAD Project Application phase where the final PSAs will be available to bid on, with the winner of the selection being required to build infrastructure to bring internet to the locations contained within the PSA.
BEAD Project Application
More information will be available soon!
Technical Assistance
For any questions during the Pre-Qualification Evaluation, please reach out to bead@maineconnectivity.org. For guided support throughout the application, please refer to MCA's Resource Exchange module on the Subgrantee Selection Process.
BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process (SSP)
Maine's BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process
The Subgrantee Selection Process (SSP) is the two-step process by which MCA will evaluate prospective applicants on their organizational readiness to manage a BEAD-funded project.
Phase 1: Prospective Applicant Pre-Qualification Evaluation (September 18 - October 18, 2024)
- Prospective applicants will submit organizational-level information (technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity) that demonstrates their ability to meet the requirements of the BEAD program.
- Applicants will also be presented with a map of draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) and asked to indicate which they intend to apply for.
Phase 2: BEAD Project Application (Fall/Winter 2024)
- Prospective Applicants approved in Phase 1 will be invited to submit project applications for BEAD funding.
- Applicants will provide project-level information, including a bid for specific Project Service Areas (PSAs).
Pre-Qualification Evaluation
During the Prospective Applicant Pre-Qualification Evaluation, MCA will evaluate an applicant’s technical, financial, operational and managerial capacity. This evaluation is conducted at the organizational level. It is separate from, and prior to, MCA’s assessment of the capacity needed to successfully complete project-specific proposals in the subsequent BEAD Project Application phase.
The Pre-Qualification Evaluation will allow MCA to identify the pool of eligible applicants and work with those entities to ensure that the BEAD Project Application process is as streamlined and competitive as possible. This phase will also allow MCA to determine which prospective applicants meet the minimum qualifications set forth by guidance, included in the following documents.
- Maine's BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2
- Pre-Qualification Evaluation Supplemental Guidance (Sept 2024)
- BEAD Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
During the Pre-Qualification Evaluation, applicants will also be presented with draft Project Service Areas (PSAs) and asked to indicate which area(s) they intend to apply for during the BEAD Project Application phase. This selection will not be binding during Pre-Qualification Evaluation. The review of project-specific information will take place during the second phase of the Subgrantee Selection Process (the BEAD Project Application), where MCA will collect detailed information and bids for specific PSAs.
Within 30 days following the close of the Pre-Qualification Evaluation, MCA will notify prospective applicants of their pre-qualification status and ability to proceed into the BEAD Project Application period. Prospective applicants that are approved through Pre-Qualification Evaluation will be admitted to the BEAD Project Application phase where the final PSAs will be available to bid on, with the winner of the selection being required to build infrastructure to bring internet to the locations contained within the PSA.
BEAD Project Application
More information will be available soon!
Technical Assistance
For any questions during the Pre-Qualification Evaluation, please reach out to bead@maineconnectivity.org. For guided support throughout the application, please refer to MCA's Resource Exchange module on the Subgrantee Selection Process.