Get Ready to Finish BEAD

State broadband directors: your work isn’t wasted. You’ve spent years building a solid foundation to execute BEAD, and that foundation still matters.

NTIA’s new policy notice confirms that BEAD is moving forward. Now, you have a defined 90-day path to reopen competition, apply updated scoring criteria, and direct funding where it’s needed most.

Ready BOSS is positioned to help you navigate this transition with precision and confidence.

Seeing The Big Picture: From Three Tiers to Two

A fundamental change in NTIA's restructuring is the collapse of the previous three-tier technology hierarchy. Gone are the days of "Priority Broadband Projects" (fiber), "Other Last-Mile Projects" (cable/fixed wireless), and "Alternative Technologies" (satellite).

Old Model: Fiber automatically won unless costs exceeded "Extremely High Cost" thresholds 
New Model: Any technology meeting 100/20 Mbps and ≤100ms latency competes on cost alone

What You Must Do: The 90-Day Sprint

Days 0–30: Submit Your Correction Letter

• Use NTIA's one-page template to amend your Initial Proposal
• Rescind all previous subgrantee selections (they can recompete)
• Notify applicants about the "Benefit of the Bargain Round"

Days 30–60: Launch New Competition

• Reopen prequalification to all technology providers
• Allow 14 days for Unlicensed Fixed Wireless providers to assert coverage
• Update location lists using NTIA's new reason codes

Days 60–90: Select and Submit

• Score based on lowest BEAD outlay (primary criterion)
• Consider speed to deployment only for bids within 15% of lowest cost
• Submit streamlined Final Proposal for 90-day NTIA review

Even though all applications must be rescored under the new rules, your original evaluations are still valuable. Preserving the data to do a comparison analysis will be key in the Benefit of the Bargain justification.

What the New Scoring Prioritizes

The new rules simplify evaluation. Your scoring must now prioritize three core things:

1. Lowest total BEAD outlay (including match)
2. Fastest deployment timeline (earlier than the 4-year requirement)
3. Technical capabilities of the proposed network

This clarity reduces decision friction, but it also means you’ll need to evaluate a wider range of technologies and cost models than before.

A New Approach to Location Lists

Your BEAD-eligible location list must be updated using NTIA’s new “reason codes” framework. Specifically, you must:

• Remove any locations already covered by enforceable commitments
• Remove locations served by qualified unlicensed fixed wireless providers (after a short verification process)
• Add locations that have become eligible due to defaults or disqualifications in other federal programs

You must also allow ULFW providers to assert coverage and validate that they meet the required technical standards within a strict 14-day timeline. In addition, you’ll need to revise the CAI list to align with NTIA’s new requirements.

Low-Cost Plan Changes

Under the new rules, states are no longer allowed to set or suggest specific low-cost broadband rates. Subgrantees must now propose their own low-cost plans, and NTIA will only accept Final Proposals that include provider-defined rates.

Additionally, eligibility for these plans has been narrowed. Instead of using ACP criteria, eligibility now aligns with the FCC’s Lifeline Program, making fewer households qualify.

What’s Out (for Now)

States are also being told to halt all non-deployment activities under BEAD funding. That includes digital equity programs, device distribution, digital literacy training, and similar efforts. NTIA will not reimburse any new costs for these activities incurred after June 6, 2025.

Delivering on the Promise of BEAD

If you need support, Ready is here to help.

• Instantly rescore existing applications under new cost-focused criteria
• Model scenarios comparing technology options across your geography
• Track compliance in real-time through the Director's Dashboard
• Generate reports proving your selections deliver maximum value
• Re-run challenge extremely fast

Ready APP's geospatial capabilities let you simulate mixed-technology deployments, identify where LEO or fixed wireless makes sense, and demonstrate cost optimization across your entire state.

The future of American connectivity will be shaped by the work you do in the next 90 days. We’re here to make sure you’re ready for the road ahead.

More to come soon.