BEAD Prequalification (Providers)
The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program provides $1.53 billion from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to North Carolina to expand high-speed internet access by funding planning, infrastructure deployment and adoption programs. As required by the BEAD program, we developed and submitted the BEAD five-year action plan, BEAD Initial Proposal Volume I (approved by the NTIA in April 2024), and the Initial Proposal Volume II (approved by NTIA in September 2021). These outline North Carolina’s plans for use and implementation of these funds.
We are offering broadband providers the opportunity to prequalify for the BEAD Subgrantee Selection phase, which will be launched in 2025. Prequalification is intended to streamline the application process and ensure applicants meet the program’s minimum and mandatory requirements.
While prequalification is not mandatory, we strongly encourage broadband providers to prequalify this fall so they can focus their efforts on project-related applications when that process launches in 2025. Providers must complete the qualification process during either the prequalification phase or the project application phase before they can submit project applications that may result in project funding.
Prequalification Window:
The division previously announced a Nov. 1 deadline for internet service providers to prequalify to participate in the BEAD program and has now extended the deadline until Feb. 3, 2025, to accommodate the competing demands that internet service providers experience as they work to restore service in disaster declared counties. This flexibility will provide more opportunities for internet service providers to complete the qualification process and encourage participation. Providers must either complete the qualification process during the prequalification phase or during the later project application phase before submitting project applications that may result in funding.
BEAD Program Prequalification Guidance
The following guidance will aid potential applicants in providing the required responses and documentation needed to prequalify. It also assists potential applicants in gathering the necessary information at an organizational level to assess their financial, technical, managerial, operational, and other capabilities, as outlined in the BEAD Notice of Funding (NOFO) and North Carolina's BEAD Initial Proposal. By submitting this information during the prequalification process, potential applicants can focus their efforts on project-related details once the project application window opens.