DEED Scoring2020 MINNESOTA BROADBAND GRANT APPU ATIOI
2020 BROADBAND GRANT APPLICATION SELECTION AND AWARD PROCESS
Introduction to Scoring and Award Process
DEED will award grants to projects that provide the highest return in public benefits for the public costs
incurred and that meet all of the statutory requirements. To evaluate the applications for public benefits with
respect to the costs incurred, the law specifies certain priorities that DEED must consider.
To fulfill this requirement of reviewing applications in an objective and fair manner, applications will be
reviewed and evaluated by a team composed by DEED. This team will use the following criteria and
associated point values to assist in systematically scoring and awarding grants. These criteria reflect
information provided in response to this grant application's questions. To ensure that your application receive
the best possible score, please be sure to provide complete and comprehensive responses to all information
requested in the application.
2020 Selection Criteria and Grant Scoring Categories
120 points possible
Anticipated Broadband Improvements: 0 to 20 points possible
Unserved or underserved total passings potentially served by project:
■ Anticipated improvements in broadband speed offerings from pre-existing broadband service levels tc
proposed service levels — project must reach or exceed state speed goals (speed now vs. speed
after)
■ Number of total passings potentially served (# of passings)
■ Total passings include households, businesses, farms, and community anchor institutions
■ Highest scores are awarded for largest broadband speed improvements
■ If project includes both unserved and underserved passings, each will be scored separately, and the
resultant scores averaged
Anticipated Broadband Improvements Scorino Table
# of Passings
Speed Now: 010 1
Speed After Build: 2513
51011
2513
010
100120
51011
100120
2513
100120
010
1 GM G
52513
1G/1G
<100120
1 G11 G
0-50
Points Awarded: 14
10
116
14
12
18
15
13
51499
15
11
17
15
13
19
16
14
500+
16
12
18
16
14
20
1 17
15
Grant Funding Reguest Amount: 0 to 10 points possible
Percent of state grant request compared to total eligible project costs:
■ Applicant matching funds of 55% or more will result in a higher application score for this category
■ Any funding partner contributions are included in Applicant matching funds for points
Grant Funding Request Amount Scoring Table
Percent of eligible project costs requested
Points
30% or less
31 to 35%
10
8
36 to 40%
5
41 to 45%
3
46 to 50%
0
2020, UP ESOTA BROADBAND GRANT APPLICATIO
Community Participation: 0 to 15 points possible
Additional scoring points will be awarded for the following:
■ Verified financial commitment to the project from any qualified community partner(s)
[Community partner may be any public, private, non-profit, or philanthropic entity — this would include
a business, county, township, city, tribal entity, or community coalition]
Projects that propose to serve or partially serve federally recognized tribal lands, and the associated
tribal entity has provided application documentation of project support
MOM■ :Project applications that provide substantive evidence of community support for the project
Project Readiness: 0 to 25 points possible
Applicant has concretely demonstrated a comprehensive knowledge of — and detailed preparation foi
— the proposed project. Applicant has provided evidence of being fully prepared to build, implement,
and operate the project:
■ All budget material is provided in detailed, yet clearly understandable manner, sources and uses of
funds is realistic, all grant eligible elements are included, all funding partners are secured
■ Other broadband infrastructure requirements are included — certified engineering design and
diagrams, documentation of scalable equipment, and all preconstruction requirements are identified
and included in the project schedule
■ Project implementation requirements are provided — proposed speed tiers and service pricing, 5 year
service commitment, and proposed marketing strategies
Complete project schedule and financial requirements are provided
Project Sustainability: 0 to 25 points possible
Applicant has demonstrated strong internal capacity to effectively support and sustain its broadband
infrastructure proposal:
■ Demonstration of technical expertise — specific prior experience in providing broadband services
■ Organizational support evidence provided — extent of organization and how organizational strength
will sustain broadband service delivery and maintenance
44 Financial statements provided — most current year's audited financial statements, and supporting
documentation where applicable, to demonstrate overall financial viability
Economic Development & Community Impact Review: 0 to 15 points possible
Applicant has demonstrated the economic development and community enhancement potential of tho
proposed project:
■ Applicant has idenfied businesses, farms and agricultural use customers, community anchor
institutions, and educational facilities in the proposed project area
■ For businesses, farms and agricultural use customers, Applicant has identified how improved
broadband speeds and coverage will enable the project area to become and/or remain competitively
viable
I For community anchor institutions, Applicant has identified how improved broadband deployment will
be incorporated into specific community programs
��■ For educational locations, Applicant has identified the proposed impact on e -learning
• For health and public safety locations, Applicant has identified the proposed impact on telemedicine
2020 MI TNESOTA BROADBAND GST APPLICXt1ON 1
If project area in an economically distressed area, Application has demonstrated that the proposed
project area has unemployment, poverty or population loss levels significantly greater than statewide
average (Application may reference median household income or percent of students eligible for free
or reduced school lunches for proposed project area)
Broadband Adoption Assistance: 0 to 10 points possible
Additional scoring points will be awarded for the following:
■ Are broadband adoption activities planned for project?
OW ■ Will technical support or training on broadband be offered?
■ Is there — or will there be — a low-income broadband assistance program offering?
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