Are you applying to ConnectALL's Municipal Infrastructure Program (MIP)?

Do you acknowledge that the project(s) you are proposing for grant funding will meet the minimum project requirements as stated in the RFA and any subsequently published updates?

Do you have commitment from one or more ISPs to operate on the proposed network for open-access infrastructure?

Has your business ever violated applicable regulations, labor laws, prevailing wage requirements, or labor standards?

Provide a summary of the following key points of the project [Not to exceed two pages]:

- List of applicants and any eligible partners
- List of the proposed project areas with a percentage of unserved and underserved locations
- Total miles of proposed new fiber construction
- Brief overview of the proposed project approach
- Proposed infrastructure ownership model
- Approach for sharing the newly built infrastructure as open-access or reserved for exclusive use
- Total project budget with the amount requested from MIP grant funds

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_Project-Summary_MM.DD.YY"

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is PDF. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Upload the Applicant’s most recent financial statements prepared in accordance with standard accounting procedures of the Applicant and all principals of the organization. Eligible Private Applicants should provide three years of audited financial statements.

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_Finances_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is PDF. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Please provide two case studies of relevant past work done by the Applicant or team, with preference to work conducted in New York State. Include reference to adhering to relevant state and federal regulations.

Case studies shall be brief and include the following for each:
• Number of addresses served
• Number of businesses subcontracted
• Route miles constructed, and costs incurred by category (e.g., make-ready, permitting, engineering/design, labor, construction)
• Description of the technology deployed and why it was the appropriate choice for the project
• Service level commitment offered
• Advertised download speed in megabits per second
• Advertised upload speed in megabits per second
• Monthly, non-promotional price for each service offered over the funded infrastructure
• Specifications of signal latency and service reliability parameters
• Descriptions of any delays or changes made to project timeline

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_Experiences_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is PDF. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Please provide a project management plan with timelines clearly identifying the time to first connections and the time to project completion.

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_Deployment-Timelines_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file types for this question are PDF and XLSX. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Please provide the following information by filling out all four tabs of the MIP RFA Templates file (link to download below).

1. Project budget with a breakdown of costs using the “MIP Budget Templates” tab

2. Services and products that will be offered to the end-users, and pricing of those by completing the “MIP Service Tiers and Pricing” tab:
a) Include description of service tiers, speeds, and pricing, inclusive of all taxes and fees.
b) Indicate price, upload speed, and download speed for a product at or below $30 per month, if such a price point is planned
c) Include description, including service speeds and means of delivery, of any free service tiers or free introductory periods, if available

3. Details on the intent to hire additional employees if the Applicant is selected to be a Grantee by filling out the “MIP Workforce Development” tab

4. A list of locations the project will serve by filling out the “MIP Location Data” tab. Provide all available location data such as FCC Location ID, address, and latitude/longitude for each location
a) Indicate which locations are Unserved, Underserved or Served
b) Business, Residential or Mixed
c) Community Anchor Institutions


Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_MIP-RFA-Filled-Templates_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is XLSX. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Please use the link below to download the templates file.

Please provide a complete or close to complete network design and architecture, including:

• Network elements (both active and passive)
• Connectivity to the internet backbone
• Delivery to each served address with the required throughput and capacity
• Engineering decisions required to achieve service speeds and latency, such as:
• Backhaul connectivity
• Head end deployment
• Core network electronics
• Fiber capacity and strand counts on each segment of the network
• Maximum line speed at the premises
• Oversubscription ratio
• Split ratios
• Splice points
• Drop installation
• In-unit termination specification
• CPE or router model and capabilities (including Wi-Fi interface)

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_Network-Design_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is PDF. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Please provide Maps and address lists indicating the fiber routes and accompanying infrastructure (e.g., poles and huts) that the MIP grants would fund. Include a list of publicly controlled assets the project may use to support deployment. Include a .kmz or shapefile of the proposed routing with clearly defined layers for the various types of infrastructure and any other information relevant to the design, including:

• Fiber routes and segment types (backbone, distribution, etc.)
• Installation method (direction bore, micro-trenching, etc.)

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_Maps-Addresses_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file types for this question are kmz, kml, shp, and shx. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

For an open-access infrastructure, please provide Letters of Commitment to operate on the network from one or more ISP, indicating details of the ISP’s planned technology approach and demonstration of a currently functional network meeting CAO requirements elsewhere. Other supporting documentation may include letters of endorsement from ISP(s) currently operating on infrastructure built by the applicant elsewhere, and documentation from an operator using infrastructure built by the Applicant to host ISPs that meet CAO’s service requirements.

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_ISP-LOC_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is PDF. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Attach letter(s) of commitment, if available, from partner organization(s) that demonstrate(s) Applicant’s current engagement, or future intent to engage, with partner(s) through advising on curriculum or program design, providing program funding, interviewing talent, hiring talent, building an apprenticeship or other program, or upskilling existing workers. Letters can be from labor unions, workforce development organizations, state and local workforce boards, educational institutions, community-based organizations, or others relevant organizations.

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_WorkforceLOCs_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file type for this question is PDF. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Provide any additional document(s) to strengthen your application (e.g. letters of endorsement from the proposed area municipality).

Name your file using the following naming convention: “ApplicantName_AdditionalDocs_MM.DD.YY”

Please note that the accepted file types for this question are PDF and ZIP. If you have an issue with uploading any files, please reach out to cfa-programs@ny.gov and MIP@esd.ny.gov.

Do you acknowledge that the project(s) you are proposing for grant funding will meet the minimum project requirements as stated in the RFA and any subsequently published updates?

Name of the Primary Applicant Organization

Applicant Street Address

Applicant City

Applicant State

Applicant ZIP Code (please use ZIP+4 if known)

Applicant organization website

Is the applicant "Doing Business As" (DBA)?

What is the applicant's DBA name?

Primary Contact First Name

Primary Contact Last Name

Primary Contact Title

Primary Contact Telephone

Primary Contact Email Address

What is the type of entity for the lead applicant?

Please specify the Public entity type for the lead Applicant:

Please specify the Private Partner entity type for the lead Applicant:

Select an applicant ID type from the list below that you normally use to identify your organization on application forms.

Based on your selection from the previous question, enter the associated ID number.

If you are a business, have you been certified as a New York State Minority or Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE)?

What is the expected infrastructure ownership structure?

Based on your selection from the previous question, please specify the entity or entities and entity type that will ultimately own the proposed infrastructure.

Please indicate if this application is submitted by a partnership or joint venture.

Please indicate the legal name(s) of any other organization(s) who are partners to this application or party to a joint venture.

Partner Organization Street Address

Partner Organization City

Partner Organization State

Partner Organization ZIP (please use +4 if known)

Partner Organization Primary Contact First Name

Partner Organization Primary Contact Last Name

Partner Organization Primary Contact Telephone Number (please include area code)

Partner Organization Primary Contact Email Address

Is there a third organization (including the Applicant) party to the partnership or joint venture?

Third Partner Organization Street Address

Third Partner Organization City

Third Partner Organization State

Third Partner Organization ZIP (please use +4 if known)

Third Partner Organization Primary Contact First Name

Third Partner Organization Primary Contact Last Name

Third Partner Organization Primary Contact Telephone Number (please include area code)

Third Partner Organization Primary Partner Email Address

Applicants that represent joint ventures or partnerships, please specify the roles and services provided through each party to the joint venture or partnership as well as how the partnership or joint venture is managed.

Please provide brief description of the operating model, specifying whether and how the infrastructure will be used by one or more internet service providers and what will be required of those ISPs.

How many years has the Primary Applicant’s organization been operating in New York?

Briefly describe the history of the Applicant or team as well as ownership and legal structure.

Briefly describe the Applicant’s experience in broadband deployment in New York.

How does the Applicant or team plan to staff for the project?

Does the primary applicant have experience in broadband deployment – planning, project managing, delivering and/or operating broadband infrastructure?

Briefly describe the experience the primary applicant has in other forms of infrastructure deployment.

Explain who the primary applicant will partner with or prepared to contract with that has broadband experience?

For aerial construction of the proposed broadband deployment, what is the applicant teams’ ability to mitigate cost and timeline risks as it relates to pole make-ready and licensing?

Describe prior experience coordinating with permitting authorities, utility pole owners, and existing utilities.

For underground construction of the proposed broadband deployment, what is the applicant teams’ ability to mitigate cost and timeline risks as it relates to pathway to receive expedited permitting for right-of-way (ROW)?

Do you have experience managing state or federal grants or loans for broadband deployment?

Have any of your grants or loans for broadband deployment been suspended, paused, or rescinded at any time due to lack of performance or compliance with program rules or applicable law?

Briefly outline the Applicant’s background in overseeing state or federal grants or loans for broadband deployment. If applicable, explain the circumstances that led to any grants or loans that faced suspension, pause, or rescission due to performance issues or non-compliance with program regulations or relevant laws.

Describe past record of responding to information requests to share data with the NYS Department of Public Service concerning broadband mapping initiatives, including the length of time taken to furnish the requested information.

Describe your current or past participation in the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) or other public subsidy programs.

Is the applicant team local to the proposed broadband deployment region in the New York State?

Describe the broadband infrastructure project and the specific geography and locations it would service (the Project Area(s))?

What are the wealth and income demographics for the proposed Project Area(s)?

Provide a list of the existing Internet Service Provider(s) in the Project Area(s) along with their advertised range of speed (download and upload) in Mbps and any other services offered.

Describe any patterns of non-investment or past challenges preventing Internet Service Provider(s) to provider services in the Project Area(s).

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the numbers of broadband serviceable locations in the following table (Unserved):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the numbers of broadband serviceable locations in the following table (Underserved Locations):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the numbers of broadband serviceable locations in the following table (Served Locations):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the numbers of broadband serviceable locations in the following table (Residential Locations):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the numbers of broadband serviceable locations in the following table (Business Locations):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the numbers of broadband serviceable locations in the following table (Community Anchor Institutions):

How many total miles of new fiber construction is proposed for the Project Area(s) (Aerial Fiber Construction):

How many total miles of new fiber construction is proposed for the Project Area(s) (Underground Fiber Construction):

How many total miles of new fiber construction is proposed for the Project Area(s) (Drop Fiber (Aerial & Underground) For the Last-Mile):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the financial details below (MIP Grant Requested):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the financial details below (Available or Earmarked Public Funds):

For the proposed Project Area(s), please provide the financial details below (Available Private Funds):

Briefly provide the information about the available or earmarked public funds and/or the available private funds.

Describe Applicant or teams’ access to capital to address any potential debt or operating revenue shortfalls.

Describe the methodology and any assumptions made to determine the cost estimates.

What is the projected take-rate % in the first five years of broadband service?

What is the take-rate % to break-even the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) expenses?

Describe efforts that will be made by the Applicant or team to keep costs reasonable and competitive.

Please describe the revenue sharing model between the Applicant and partner(s), including but not limited to the Internet Service Provider (ISP).

For any proposed public-private partnership, what is the minimum duration in years of shared public ownership?

For any proposed acquisitions as a part of the project (e.g. fiber leases), describe the age and remaining useful life of the infrastructure.

Within how many months of the project kick-off are the first connections expected?

Within how many months of the project kick-off will the project complete?

Describe the work that has been done to date in developing the project and explain why this grant is necessary to advance the Applicant’s project to implementation.

How does the Applicant plan to share the newly built network infrastructure?

Describe the identified risks for the proposed project and plans to mitigate those (if identified).

Is the network design of the proposed Project Area(s) complete or close to complete? Please ensure to upload the network design in whatever stage it is at in the Documents tab.

Is the proposed network design completely fiber?

What percentage of the network is another medium (non-fiber)?

Please specify what non-fiber medium is proposed and provide justification and explain what engineering decisions or other factors led to the decision to have any non-fiber portion in the network design.

Are there any interconnection plans with the existing publicly controlled middle mile and/or last mile infrastructure assets?

Describe whether any existing infrastructure would or has been integrated into the design.

Describe performance metrics of your proposed network, including the speeds, latency, average outage, network uptime, and existence of data caps or throttling.

In addition to completing the Service Tiers and Pricing template under the Documents tab of this application, please also describe the service speeds and means of delivery of any free service tiers or free introductory periods available to end-users. Specify if such options will be generally available without ACP utilization or will require additional qualification.

Describe plans to market the service to customers and plans to work with customers to enroll.

Specify the type and daily operating hours for all types of customer service provided for broadband subscribers including phone, email, SMS, and/or in person customer assistance (if provided). How is customer support provided outside of regular working hours and on weekends?

What aspects of the customer service experience are automated and which are provided through live customer support?

What is the scope of any subcontractors providing customer support?

Describe how Applicant will ensure long-term, high-quality connectivity and support for residents, including a proposed Service-Level Agreement.

How will the Applicant adhere to net neutrality principles, including commitments to no blocking, no throttling, no unreasonable discrimination in the transmittal of lawful internet traffic, and no paid prioritization?

What measures and strategies will the Applicant take to safeguard the privacy and cybersecurity of residents and other end-users?

Describe Applicant or teams’ outreach targets, including any plans to engage the community with any non-English-speaking residents.

Describe Applicant or teams’ prior experiences adopting community support programs and the outcomes of such programs.

Describe any plans to provide devices, skills and safety trainings, or provide other support to the community.

Describe any accessibility plans to the community residents with disabilities.

Describe the projected economic development and job creation impacts from the proposed project.

Describe Applicant or teams’ current practices aligning with NYS “good job” definitions and safety standards by committing to appropriate policies and investments to recruit, train, hire, retrain, and upskill a diverse workforce, particularly local workers and/or workers from historically disadvantaged communities, into good jobs that pay the prevailing wage.

Describe current and planned future workforce training, certification, and licensure (e.g., in-house training, safety training, industry-recognized certifications, and offer of vocational training, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, or other “earn and learn” opportunities) that are part of the Applicant’s workforce development strategies.

Explain current and planned future efforts to diversify the talent pipeline by engaging underrepresented and/or underserved individuals, including any statewide, regional, or local partnerships in place to support recruitment and hiring.

Describe the Applicant’s current employee engagement strategy as it relates to ensuring good jobs for the Applicant’s employees. Include an overview of compensation and benefits, job security, working conditions, worker engagement, and the organizational culture.

Describe the interest of one or more eligible partners and vendors to support the project. Detail any specific commitments that have been made.

Please specify the level of commitment from the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to operate on the proposed network build. For open-access network, the Applicant must have commitment from one or more ISPs to operate on the network.

By entering your name in the box below, you certify that you are authorized on behalf of the applicant and its governing body to submit this application. You further certify that all of the information contained in this Application and in all statements, data and supporting documents which have been made or furnished for the purpose of receiving assistance for the project described in this application, are true, correct and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief. You acknowledge that offering a written instrument knowing that the written instrument contains a false statement or false information, with the intent to defraud the State or any political subdivision, public authority or public benefit corporation of the State, with the knowledge or belief that it will be filed with or recorded by the State or any political subdivision, public authority or public benefit corporation of the State, constitutes a crime under New York State Law.

By entering your name in the box below, you the Applicant acknowledges the following:

-Applicant will meet all Project Requirements and Applicant Requirements per the RFA.
-Application is not receiving funding from other federal or state sources for the same activities proposed for MIP funding.
-Applicant will provide additional cost estimates, if requested, for Properties in the portfolio agreed upon with CAO, including total grant amount requested and matching funds.
-Application will work with all appropriate agencies to obtain all required right of way approvals.
-Application will obtain all required permits and private easement approvals.
-Application will coordinate project deployment with all utilities.
-Application will obtain any necessary subcontractors.
-Application will provide on-site construction inspections to ensure proper design and execution.
-Application will coordinate and resolve third-party or private claims.
-Application will repair any and all damage to private and government property.
-Application will at all times, maintain an adequate staff of experienced and qualified employees for efficient performance.
-Application will at all times, furnish or perform any services in a safe, proper, and professional manner.
-Application will comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
-Application must submit a performance report to the State that includes the following key performance indicators, if selected to be a Grantee:
• Project milestones and percentage of project/site completion, including construction milestones, quantity of fiber deployed, problems/issues encountered, and actions taken to resolve construction issues
• Description of changes, challenges, or risks to project timeline, including environmental compliance and permitting challenges
• Detailed reporting of actual construction costs, as compared to approved construction costs
• Speed and latency test data at the address level for all locations served in the project area--including maximum download speed offered, maximum download speed delivered, maximum upload speed offered, maximum upload speed delivered, and latency.
• Maps and associated data for all locations served, including all buildings/sites where service was installed.
• Compliance with Prevailing Wage requirements, as determined during negotiations
• Implementation progress of Digital Equity, Workforce Development, and Diversity Practices plans
• Other reporting as required by grantor agencies or as mutually agreed upon by the Applicant and State.
• Subscription information including the number of paying subscribers enrolled in the service, the number of low-income subscribers enrolled in ACP, and the number of subscribers enrolled in a low-cost service plan
• Information about customers' Internet access prior to enrolling in the service including whether or not the customer had a previous fixed Internet subscription and the speed of that previous subscription
-Applicant acknowledges receipt of and compliance with addenda to this RFA.

By entering your name in the box below, you are acknowledging that ESD’s Contractor & Supplier Diversity policy will apply to this project. You are further acknowledging that you are aware of ESD’s agency-wide Minority and Women Business Enterprise (‘MWBE’) utilization goal of 30%. Please note that each project will be assigned an individual contract-specific goal, which may be higher or lower than 30%. Furthermore, you understand that, should this project receive a funding award, the Applicant shall be required to use good faith efforts to achieve the prescribed MWBE goals assigned to this project and failure to attain MWBE goal could result in grant amount being reduced.

By entering your name in the box below, you certify and agree that you are aware that your award will be reduced in proportion to the reduction of jobs and/or total project costs. Furthermore, you understand that, should this project receive a funding award, the Applicant will maintain such records and take such actions necessary to demonstrate such compliance throughout the completion of the project.

By entering your name in the box below, you certify, under penalty of perjury, that the information given herein is true and correct in all respects for the company or organization applying for funding (the "Company"), presently and for the past five years: -the Company is not a party to any litigation or any litigation is not pending or anticipated that could have an adverse material effect on the company's financial condition;

-the Company does not have any contingent liabilities that could have a material effect on its solvency;

-the Company, its affiliates or any member of its management or any other concern with which such members of management have been officers or directors, have never been involved in bankruptcy, creditor's rights, or receivership proceedings or sought protection from creditors;

-the Company is not delinquent on any of its state, federal or local tax obligations;

-No principal, officer of the Company, owner or majority stockholder of any firm or corporation, or member of the management has been charged or convicted of a misdemeanor or felony, indicted, granted immunity, convicted of a crime or subject to a judgment, or the subject of an investigation, whether open or closed, by any government entity for a civil or criminal violation for: (i) any business-related activity including, but not limited to, fraud, coercion, extortion, bribe or bribe receiving, giving or accepting unlawful gratuities, immigration or tax fraud, racketeering, mail fraud, wire fraud, price fixing or collusive bidding; or (ii) any crime, whether or not business related, where the underlying conduct relates to truthfulness, including but not limited to, the filing of false documents or false sworn statements, perjury or larceny;

-the Company or any of the Company's affiliates, principal owners or Officers has not received a violation of State Labor Law deemed "willful";

-the Company or any of its affiliates has never been cited for a violation of State, Federal, or local laws or regulations with respect to labor practices, hazardous wastes, environmental pollution or other operating practices;

-there are not any outstanding judgments or liens pending against the Company other than liens in the normal course of business.

-the Company or any of its affiliates, principal owners or officers the company has not been the subject of any judgments, injunctions, or liens including, but not limited to, judgments based on taxes owed, fines and penalties assessed by any governmental agency, or elected official against the Company.

- the Company or any of its affiliates, principal owners or officers the company has not been investigated by any governmental agency, including, but not limited to, federal, state and local regulatory agencies

-the Company or any of its affiliates, principal owners or officers the company has not been debarred from entering into any government contract; been found non-responsible on any government contract; been declared in default ore terminated for cause on any government contract; been determined to be ineligible to bid or propose on any contract; been suspended from bidding on any government contract; received an overall unsatisfactory performance rating from any government agency on any contract; agree to a voluntary exclusion from bidding or contracting on a government contract.

- the Company or any of its affiliates, principal owners or officers the company has not failed to file any of the required forms with any government entity regulating the Company. By entering your name in the box below, you agree to allow the Department of Taxation to share the Company tax information with ESD. By entering your name in the box below, you agree to allow the Department of Labor to share tax and employer information with ESD. Note: If any of the statements above are not true, in addition to entering your name, also include an explanation in the box below, indicating which issue you are addressing.