The National Telecommunications and Information Administration issued a notice of funding opportunity today for up to $43.5 million from the State and Local Implementation Grant Program (SLIGP) 2.0, which will help state, local, and tribal governments plan for the nationwide public safety broadband network. All states, territories, and the District of Columbia will be eligible to apply for funding regardless of their opt-in or opt-out status regarding the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet).

Applications are due Dec. 28, or “on the 91st calendar day from the date that the Governor of an applicant State receives notice from FirstNet of its final State Plan, whichever is later.”

FirstNet has not provided that official notice yet, which starts the 90-day review period clock, because Commerce has yet to release funding level determinations for states that opt out of having AT&T, Inc., FirstNet’s network partner, build their radio access networks (RANs). Final state plans were posted in an online portal last week (TR Daily, Sept. 19).

NTIA awarded $116.5 million in initial SLIGP grants in 2013 to help states and territories identify public safety broadband gaps and priorities. While those awards expire in February 2018, NTIA has recovered unspent funds through a voluntary process, allowing it to create the 2.0 funding round.- Paul Kirby, paul.kirby@wolterskluwer.com

Courtesy TRDaily