ReConnect Engineering Requirements 101

ReConnect EngineeringRequirements 101USDA RUS ReConnect Programhttps://reconnect.usda.gov1

Announcements Funding window has been extended to allow applicants toaccess technical assistance provided by USDA Final funding windows were announced in a notice in theFederal Register on February 25, 2019 Applications for the 100% Grant funding category will beaccepted through May 31, 2019 Applications for the 50/50 Loan/Grant Combination fundingcategory will be accepted through June 21, 2019 Applications for the 100% Loan funding category will beaccepted through July 12, 2019https://reconnect.usda.gov2

Bring high-speedbroadband torural areas thatlack access.Enabletechnologiescritical to ruralcommunities.https://reconnect.usda.govFuel long-termeconomicdevelopment inrural America.Support improvedaccess to educationand healthcare inrural communities.3

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Dec. 13, 2018Dec. 14, 2018A New Way ForwardOfficially ReleasedReConnect Program andfunding opportunity announcedby Sec. Perdue.ReConnect Program FundingOpportunity Announcementreleased in the Federal Register.March 2019Feb. 25, 2019Check reconnect.usda.govGet StartedThe date that applicationswill start being accepted willbe announced.Application deadlinesreleased in notice in theFederal Register.May 31, 2019June 21, 2019July 12, 2019100 Percent Grant50/50 Loan/Grant Combo100 Percent LoanApplications will beaccepted throughMay 31, 2019.Applications will beaccepted throughJune 21, 2019.Applications will be acceptedon a rolling basis throughJuly 12, sda.gov5

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Program DesignReConnect Products and Key Engineering Componentshttps://reconnect.usda.gov7

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Key EngineeringComponents of theReConnect Applicationhttps://reconnect.usda.gov9

Applicants Will Need to Submit Engineering Requirements from the FOA: A network design A network diagram Project costs and buildout timelineThese requirements must be certified by aprofessional engineerhttps://reconnect.usda.gov10

Applicants Must Demonstrate Proposed Funded Service Area (PFSA) Requirements For a 100% loan, the proposed funded service area (PFSA)must demonstrate that 90% of the households do not havesufficient access to broadband defined at 10/1 For a 50% loan and 50% grant combination, the PFSA mustdemonstrate that 90% of the households do not havesufficient access to broadband defined at 10/1 For a 100% grant, the PFSA must demonstrate that 100% ofthe households do not have sufficient access to broadbanddefined at 10/1Service Area Validations Service Area Validations will occurs in PFSAs to validatethe speeds of existing services USDA Staff will perform Service Area Validationshttps://reconnect.usda.gov11

Applicants Should Consider Technology The ReConnect Program is technology neutral Any technology or combination of technologies must meet theminimum construction requirements of 25/3 to all premiseshttps://reconnect.usda.gov12

Detailed Overview ofRequired ApplicationMaterialsNetwork Design, Network Diagram, Buildout Timeline and Milestones,Project Costshttps://reconnect.usda.gov13

Required Application Materials:A Network Design A network design provides a plan for how a proposed networkwill be built to meet subscriber requirements. The network design must include the following and must becertified by a professional engineer: Proposed technology that will be used to deliver the broadbandservices (ReConnect technology is neutral) Existing network (if applicable) Proposed network USDA will review the maturity of the Network Design andsupporting documentation (uploads) to ensure it is developedenough to perform a cost estimatehttps://reconnect.usda.gov14

Required Application Materials:A Network Diagram Network diagrams provide a way to map connections of atelecommunications network Applicant network diagram submissions should include thefollowing uploads and must be certified by a professionalengineer: Existing network diagram (if applicable) Proposed network diagram Core elements Distribution network elements Access elementshttps://reconnect.usda.gov15

Required Application Materials:Buildout Timeline A buildout timeline is considered a construction schedule for theproject – Milestones represent points through the projectlifecycle that identify key stages or development changes The buildout of the project must be completed within five yearsfrom the date funds are made available An applicant’s buildout timeline and milestones must include thefollowing: Buildout milestones Buildout support for reasonableness/data points for each buildoutmilestone Any supporting documentationUSDA will review an applicant’s buildout timeline for feasibilityand reasonableness given the technology and resourcesestimatedhttps://reconnect.usda.gov16

Required Application Materials:Project Costs* Project costs are provided via the Capital Investment Workbook(CIW), a detailed list of costs associated with the project The CIW must include the following network design or projectfinancing components: Proposed funded service areas (PFSA) Non-funded service areas (NFSA) Unadvanced prior loan funds (UPLF) USDA will review the CIW in order to assess technical feasibilityand to determine that Applicants have thoroughly thoughtthrough the proposed network design* Additional project cost information provided on the followingslideshttps://reconnect.usda.gov17

Required Application Materials:Project Costs (continued) The applicant must input information below for the serviceareas and common network facilities for the three categorieslisted on the previous slide Project asset categoryProject asset typeDescriptionQuantityMeasure unitAssociate project asset cost per unit Cost projections will be needed for each of the assets input aspart of the capital investment schedulehttps://reconnect.usda.gov18

Project Asset Categories andExamples of Asset Types Project asset categories: Outside plant – Conduit systemsBuildings – New construction, pre-fab hutsTowers – Guyed towers, tower improvementsCustomer premises equipment – Smart metersNetwork and access equipment – Routing equipmentNon-depreciable assets – Right-of-way procurementSupport assets – Construction vehiclesProfessional services – Engineering, environmentalOther expenditures All project assets must comply with 7 CFR part 1788 and 7CFR part 1970, any successor regulations found on theAgency’s website, and any other guidance from the Agencyhttps://reconnect.usda.gov19

Capital Investment Workbook (CIW)https://reconnect.usda.gov20

Capital Investment Schedulehttps://reconnect.usda.gov21

Construction Maphttps://reconnect.usda.gov22

Construction Map Interfacehttps://reconnect.usda.gov23

Post-Award Considerationshttps://reconnect.usda.gov24

Post-Award EngineeringReporting ConsiderationsAwardees will need to submit: Annually updated service area maps through theUSDA mapping tool showing the areas whereconstruction has been completed and premises arereceiving service A service area map indicating that all constructionhas been completed as proposed in the application Semiannual reports for 3 years after completion ofthe project, which must include the followingtechnical items: Types of facilities constructed and installed The speed of the broadband services being delivered The broadband adoption rate for each proposed serviceterritory, including the number of new subscribersgenerated from the facilities fundedhttps://reconnect.usda.gov25

Available ResourcesWhat resources are available and how you can get help during theapplication processhttps://reconnect.usda.gov26

Available Resources Workshops Multiple Workshops to be held across the country Schedule is on the ReConnect website under “Events” RD experts and detailed application information Webinars Multiple Webinars to be held Schedule is on the ReConnect website under “Events” RD experts and detailed application information Resources ReConnect Website https://reconnect.usda.gov Electronic application intake system Program FAQs OneRD Coordination Resources across RD Help Desk Technical Assistancehttps://reconnect.usda.govand support to Applicants27

For help or questions contact us atReConnect Support da.gov

A Network Diagram Network diagrams provide a way to map connections of a telecommunications network Applicant network diagram submissions should include the following uploads and must be certified by a professional engineer: Existing network diagram (if applicable) Proposed network diagram