Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Funding Needs Planning and Analysis a. Assess and determine prioritization criteria and funding priority areas b. Identify potential project partners, including ISP (Internet Service Provider) grant partners and supporting entities c. Identify and prioritize up to ten potential middle-mile projects, with a focus on unserved / underserved areas within LCRA’s territory that would serve as opportunities to apply for middle-mile grant funding d. Develop high-level project descriptions and scope 2. Funding Source Identification and Grant Preparation a. Conduct research to identify grant resources including, but not limited to, Federal and state agencies and organizations that align with LCRA funding goals and priorities (See Appendix A for a list of opportunities that LCRA has compiled) b. Secure grant partners (ISPs) through LOI (Letters of Intent) c. Review recent NTIA, USDA, Texas Broadband Development Office, and other grant programs; identify processes/conditions likely to be imposed on grant applications d. Report on updates from potential grantors regarding broadband funding opportunities, including reporting emerging details of grant programs as they become available so that LCRA can act quickly when new information becomes available e. Align with LCRA’s existing fiber capacity leasing business and determine partners’ propensity to apply for ISP funding themselves f. Develop high-level budget estimates for proposed projects, as required by the grantors g. Develop narratives, middle-mile program justifications, and collections of any preliminary information expected to be needed in grant applications h. Monitor Requests for Proposal that include last-mile residential broadband expansion, middle-mile development, or other local/regional plans where LCRA might collaborate with an ISP, county or municipality. i. Services would commence upon contract execution and continue through December 2022. Services could be extended into calendar year 2023 upon mutual agreement. 3. Grant Proposal Development and Submittal – Provide grant writing services in calendar year 2022 associated with the completion of grant applications on behalf of LCRA and its partners, including, but not limited to, writing and editing proposals and funding requests, preparing funding abstracts, and producing and submitting applications to funding sources. Work with LCRA staff to develop a clear understanding of the nature of each funding request; its impact, benefits, outcomes, and potential for expanded partnerships. The chosen provider must adhere to interim due dates and the final application deadlines of the various grants.
