The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity seeks public review and commentary on its draft request for proposals posted today as part of ongoing efforts to connect more North Carolinians with high-speed internet. The division will use the request for proposals to prequalify internet service providers for state convenience contract awards to participate in multiple broadband expansion programs, beginning immediately with the $400 million Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program.
The CAB program, funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act, is designed to create a partnership between the division and individual participating counties to foster broadband expansion in North Carolina as part of Governor Roy Cooper’s plan to close the digital divide. Internet service providers that are awarded state convenience contracts via this process will be eligible to reply to counties’ requests for service expansion in unserved and underserved areas mutually defined by the counties and the division, as well as participate and receive reimbursement for the upcoming $100 million Broadband Pole Replacement program.
“All North Carolinians need access to high-speed internet for work, education, health care and more. This new state convenience contract process helps streamline coordination with counties so we can connect as many unserved and underserved locations as possible,” said NCDIT Deputy Secretary for Broadband and Digital Equity Nate Denny. “This public review process will help us collect feedback from a broad range of stakeholders ahead of launching the CAB program and its associated qualifying request for proposals.”
The draft request for proposals will be available on the division’s website for two weeks through May 23. Feedback may be emailed to NCDITpartnerfeedback@nc.gov. All comments will be reviewed prior to issuance of the request for proposals.
For more information about the NCDIT Division of Broadband and Digital Equity, the CAB program, and the Broadband Pole Replacement program, please visit https://www.ncbroadband.gov.