Broadband Funding and BABA Compliance News

5/23/2024

https://twitter.com/NTIAgov/status/1773425485675987089
More #BuildAmericaBuyAmerica news! Last week, AFL announced a $50m investment in their Duncan, SC facility to expand production of fiber optic cable. Learn more about BABA here: https://internetforall.gov/blog/american-made-internet-all

AFL Meets with White House Officials

5/21/2024

Members of AFL’s executive leadership team recently met with Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Stephen Benjamin, in Washington DC to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s Build America Buy America Act policies and funding related to the expansion of broadband access and modernizing the power grid across America.

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BEAD/BABA News

A Commitment to BEAD: U.S. Fiber and Cable Makers Are Each Ready to Deliver

03/16/2026

AFL, Corning, Lightera, and Prysmian pledge BABA-compliant supply for the life of the BEAD program - By Marc Bolick, Patrick Jacobi, Randy Morin, and Mike O’Day

The United States stands at a defining moment for its digital future, and U.S. manufacturers are playing a critical role.

AFL Announces Self-Certification for Build America, Buy America Act Compliance

10/07/2024

Spartanburg, S.C. | October 07, 2024 | AFL, an industry-leading manufacturer of fiber optic cables, connectivity and equipment, today announced its self-certification for products compliant with the Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act requirements. This certification positions AFL as a key supplier for broadband infrastructure projects funded by the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.

CommScope and AFL Announce Licensing Agreement for Prodigy Hardened Connectivity Solutions

9/18/2024

CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM), a global leader in network connectivity, announced today that it has licensed fiber optic solution leader AFL to manufacture CommScope Prodigy® universal fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) hardened connectivity solutions.

Fiber optic cable manufacturer in Duncan unveils $50M expansion to help broaden internet access

8/27/2024

AFL, a manufacturer of fiber optic cables, has unveiled a multimillion-dollar expansion to its facility in Spartanburg County that, it says, could help broaden internet access. Company officials revealed the $50 million investment to representatives from the White House and local leaders Tuesday.

BEAD Initial Proposal Progress Dashboard | Internet for All

5/30/2024

Department of Commerce has launched a new dashboard tracking progress by States and other applicants on proposal submittals and approvals for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program.
BEAD Initial Proposal Progress Dashboard | Internet for All

Frequently Asked Questions – Department of the Treasury’s Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF)

3/29/2024

Department of Treasury provides final rule - Awards made under the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are not subject to the Buy America Preference requirements set forth in section 70914 of the Build America, Buy America Act included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58.
SLFRF Final Rule FAQ (treasury.gov)

Making Internet for All in America

2/23/2024

https://twitter.com/NTIAgov/status/1773425485675987089
More #BuildAmericaBuyAmerica news! Last week, AFL announced a $50m investment in their Duncan, SC facility to expand production of fiber optic cable. Learn more about BABA here: https://internetforall.gov/blog/american-made-internet-all

Ensuring Robust Participation in the BEAD Program | Internet for All

2/23/2024

The Department of Commerce has issued a waiver for the Letter of Credit Requirement for BEAD funding which provides additional avenues and options to address the requirement. This include ability for subgrantees to obtain LOCs from U.S. Credit Unions or to use a performance bond in lieu of a bank LOC. Also States and Territories can help reduce the LOC threshold through milestone-based reductions in percentage or providing funding to subgrantees on a reimbursement basis allowing for reduction of LOC threshold to 10%.
Ensuring Robust Participation in the BEAD Program | Internet for All

The Department of Commerce Issues Nonavailability Waiver for Key Components in Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program

2/22/2024

The Department of Commerce has issued a nonavailability waiver for the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program addressing key infrastructure component areas including electronics (e.g. ONTs, OLTs), enclosures, and passive optical equipment.
NTIA BEAD Limited General Applicability Nonavailability Waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference

AFL Meets with White House Officials

10/9/2023

Members of AFL’s executive leadership team recently met with Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Stephen Benjamin, in Washington DC to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s Build America Buy America Act policies and funding related to the expansion of broadband access and modernizing the power grid across America.

Department of the Treasury’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund Supplement

5/22/2023

Department of Treasury compliance supplement - Awards made under the Corona Virus Capital Fund Program authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) are not subject to the Buy America Preference requirements set forth in section 70914 of the Build America, Buy America Act included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58.
2023 CPF Compliance Supplement (treasury.gov)

The Department of Commerce Approves Middle Mile Waiver for Select Equipment

4/19/2023

Department of Commerce Middle Mile Waiver has been approved providing waivers for several different equipment areas including optical connectivity - cabinets, splitters, terminals, cable assemblies, and DWDM mux and transponders - see
National Telecommunications and Information Administration Limited Applicability Nonavailability Waiver of the Buy America Domestic Content Procurement Preference as Applied to Recipients of Middle Mile Grant Program Awards for more detail. It should be noted the waiver does not cover Optical Cable.

Customer Guide - USDA Releases Guide to Navigate Build America, Buy America Requirements for RD Financial Assistance Recipients

2/27/2023

The USDA Rural Utility Service (RUS) has released a customer guide to help USDA Rural Development (RD) financial assistance recipients and their design professionals, contractors, and material and product suppliers navigate Build America, Buy America requirements.
USDA Rural Development Build America, Buy America Act - Customer Guide

USDA Issues Final Rule on RUS Rural eConnectivity Program: Buy America Preference Applies Exclusively to Non-Federal Entities

1/30/2023

Department of Agriculture provides final rule on RUS Rural eConnectivity Program - only Non-Federal Entities must be compliant with Buy America Preference requirements set forth in section 70914 of the Build America, Buy America Act included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Pub. L. 117-58.
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-01621.pdf

USDA Finalizes RUS Rural eConnectivity Program Rule: For-Profits and Electric Cooperatives Can Source Materials from Eligible Countries

1/30/2023

Department of Agriculture provides final rule on RUS Rural eConnectivity Program - For-Profits and Electric Cooperatives may source materials from eligible counties. Where “eligible country” is any country that applies with respect to the United States an agreement ensuring reciprocal access for United States products and services and United States suppliers to the markets of that country, as determined by the United States Trade Representative.
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2023-01621.pdf

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BEAD/BABA News

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Demystifying BEAD & BABA: We're Here to Help!

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