Letter to BTOP Inspector General - BIP Administration
Below is the letter we sent to the NTIA's Inspector General's office concerning BTOP application procedures. Thanks to all for your contributions and support. Obviously, we'll keep everyone posted on any significant developments. Meantime, we are on the lookout for the next Request for Information, which we expect to be issued sometime this month.
We assisted several applicants for funding under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program ("BTOP") administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration ("NTIA") and the Broadband Infrastructure Program ("BIP") administered by the Rural Utilities Service ("RUS"). We appreciate the opportunity to assist your office in its evaluation of the first funding round, as discussed in the September 2, 2009 memorandum from Judith Gordon to Assistant Secretary Lawrence E. Strickling.
In assisting our members to file BTOP/BIP applications, a number of difficulties arose that complicated the submission process and applicants' ability to use time efficiently. We believe that our experiences and materials our clients have provided to us can inform NTIA as it drafts the Request for Information, Notice of Funds Availability and application materials for upcoming funding rounds.