BEAD funds focus on the approved NTIA approved BEAD Initial Proposal Volume II, which presents the subgrantee selection process, in addition to fulfilling other requirements prescribed by the National Telecommunications and Information and Information Administration (NTIA).
The subgrantee selection process details how applicants will be selected to be awarded funds from the nearly $1.2 billion allocated to Washington to expand broadband services. Washington has ambitious goals as part of the “Internet for All in Washington” initiative that include:
- Universal broadband access for every business and household by 2028
- Equitable economic development through expanded broadband access and adoption
across all underserved populations - Scalable and sustainable “future proof” broadband infrastructure that meets access and
equity goals.
Eligible applicants
- Units of local government, including but not limited to ports and public utility districts
- Federally recognized tribes
- Nonprofit organizations
- Nonprofit cooperative organizations
- Public private partnership
- Private companies
- Public or private utilities
Broadband construction funding
The application cycle is open from March 18 to May 16, 2025 (open for 60 days). Applications are due by 11:59 pm May 16, 2025. WSBO is required to meet with NTIA to review the deployment subgrantee selection outcomes after the completion of the deployment Subgrantee Selection Process and no later than 14 calendar days prior to notification to any provisionally awards selected subgrantees (and prior to posting the draft Final Proposal for public comment). In addition, WSBO is not allowed to publicly announce provisional selected subgrantees between rounds of the application cycle. WSBO has requested that NTIA move the Final BEAD proposal deadline to July 31, 2025. We are anticipating it will take at least 60 days to review and approve the Final Proposal. Once approved WSBO will be able to issue award letters and start the contract process.
Application cycle timeline
Second Round (60 days):
• Application Cycle Opens March 18, 2025
• Application Cycle Closes May 16, 2025
• Application Review May 19, 2025, to approximately June 8, 2025
• Awards made after NTIA’s approval of the final plan around August/September 2025
The Third Round is for the WSBO Director to directly negotiate for project areas remaining
unclaimed after Round 2. These project areas will be required to submit a complete application to WSBO for award.