BEAD/BABA News
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