The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) gives notice of its intent to solicit an initial round of grant proposals as part of the Bringing Online Opportunities to Texas (BOOT) Program for the purpose of funding eligible broadband infrastructure projects designed to deliver, upon completion, broadband service that reliably meets or exceeds symmetrical speeds of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to directly enable work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, to eligible areas throughout the State. Through the BDO, the State of Texas has been allocated $363.8 million through the American Rescue Plan Act's Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund. This program is administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to carry out critical Capital Projects directly enabling work, education, and health monitoring, including remote options, in response to the public health emergency with respect to the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The funds allocated to Texas shall be distributed by the BDO through a multi-round competitive grant process. This first round of funds covered by this notice will be $120,000,000.00.

A Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) outlining the grant requirements and criteria will be published on the Texas.gov eGrants and TXSmartBuy websites on March 6, 2023. Interested parties are encouraged to carefully review the NOFA and submit proposals during the application acceptance period identified in the NOFA.

For more information regarding this opportunity please contact BDO by email at broadband@cpa.texas.gov

TRD-202300849

Don Neal

General Counsel, Operations and Support Legal Services

Comptroller of Public Accounts

Filed: February 22, 2023