On July 5, 2023, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”) released a Request for Comment (“RFC”) seeking input on the application of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (“Uniform Guidance”) to the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (“BEAD”) Program.
Specifically, various stakeholders have requested that NTIA consider exemptions of certain provisions of the Uniform Guidance from application to grants and subgrants awarded under the BEAD Program. Stakeholders have argued that without waiving or otherwise modifying such application, certain provisions of the Uniform Guidance will deter the participation of Internet service providers and/or increase the costs that subgrantees will incur — and the award amounts they will require — to participate in the program without concomitant benefit. In the RFC, NTIA seeks comment on the issues raised by stakeholders and other questions relating to the relationship between the Uniform Guidance and the BEAD Program.
Comments may be filed via https://www.regulations.gov/ in docket number NTIA–2023– 0007 on or before 5PM EST on August 4, 2023.
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