Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: Closing Date

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 960205021-7302-06]

RIN 0660-ZA01

Public Telecommunications Facilities Program: Closing Date

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration

(NTIA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration

(NTIA), U.S. Department of Commerce, announces the solicitation of

applications for planning and construction grants for public

telecommunications facilities under the Public Telecommunications

Facilities Program (PTFP).

Applicants for matching grants under the PTFP must file their

applications on or before February 12, 1998. NTIA anticipates making

grant awards by September 30, 1998. NTIA shall not be liable for any

proposal preparation costs.

Approximately $21 million is available for FY 1998 for PTFP grants

pursuant to Pub. L. 105-119, the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and

State, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998. The amount of a

grant award by NTIA will vary, depending on the approved project. For

fiscal year 1997, NTIA awarded $14.2 million in funds to 97 projects.

The awards ranged from $8,067 to $650,000.

The applicable Rules for the PTFP were published on November 8,

1996. These rules, 15 CFR part 2301 et seq. will be in effect for FY

1998 PTFP applications. Certain requirements of the PTFP at 15 CFR part

2301 are modified in this Notice. Copies of the 1996 Rules will be

distributed as part of the PTFP Application Kit and applicants are

cautioned not to use older versions of the PTFP Rules which were

published in 1991.

Parties interested in applying for financial assistance should

refer to these rules and to the authorizing legislation (47 U.S.C. 390-

393, 397-399b) for additional information on the program's goals and

objectives, eligibility criteria, evaluation criteria, and other

requirements.

DATES: Pursuant to 15 CFR 2301.8(b), the Administrator of NTIA hereby

establishes the closing date for the filing of applications for grants

under the PTFP. The closing date selected for the submission of

applications for 1998 is February 12, 1998. Applications must be

received prior to 8 p.m. on or before February 12, 1998. Applicants

sending an application should submit an original and five copies to the

place indicated in the Address section below. Applicants sending

applications by the United States Postal Service or commercial delivery

services must ensure that the carrier will be able to guarantee

delivery of the application by the Closing Date and Time. NTIA will not

accept mail delivery of applications posted on the Closing Date or

later and received after the above deadline. However, if an application

is received after the Closing Date due to (1) carrier error, when the

carrier accepted the package with a guarantee for delivery by the

Closing Date, or (2) significant weather delays or natural disasters,

NTIA will, upon receipt of proper documentation, consider the

application as having been received by the deadline. Applicants

submitting applications by hand delivery are notified that, due to

security procedures in the Department of Commerce, all packages must be

cleared by the Department's security office. Entrance to the Department

of Commerce Building for security clearance is on the 15th St side of

the building. Applicants whose applications are not received by the

deadline are hereby notified that their applications will not be

considered in the current grant cycle and will be returned to the

applicant. See 15 CFR 2301.8(c); but see also 15 CFR 2301.26. NTIA will

also return any application which is substantially incomplete, or when

the Agency finds that either the applicant or project is ineligible for

funding under 15 CFR 2301.3 or 2301.4. The Agency will inform the

applicant of the reason for the return of any application.

ADDRESSES: To obtain an application package, submit completed

applications, or send any other correspondence, write to: NTIA/PTFP,

Room H-4625, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution

Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis R. Connors, Director, Public

Broadcasting Division, telephone: (202) 482-5802; fax: (202) 482-2156.

Information about the PTFP can also be obtained electronically via

Internet (http://www.ntia.doc.gov).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Application Forms and Regulations

To apply for a PTFP grant, an applicant must file an original and

five copies of a timely and complete application on a current form

approved by the Agency. The current application form will be provided

to applicants as part of the application package. This form expires on

November 30, 2000, and no previous versions of the form may be used.

(In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, the current

application form has been cleared under OMB control no. 0660-0003.)

Applications submitted by facsimile or electronic means are not

acceptable.

All persons and organizations on the PTFP's mailing list will be

sent a copy of the current application form and the Final Rules. Those

not on the mailing list may obtain copies by contacting the PTFP at the

address or telephone, fax or Internet numbers noted above. Prospective

applicants should read the Final Rules carefully before submitting

applications. Applicants whose applications were deferred in FY 1997

will be mailed pertinent PTFP materials and instructions for requesting

reactivation of their applications.

Based upon NTIA's experience in implementing the PTFP during the

1997 grant round, NTIA has determined that it is in the best interests

of NTIA and applicants to modify or waive certain requirements

contained in the PTFP regulations at 15 CFR part 2301. These changes,

which are applicable to the FY 1998 PTFP applications and resulting

awards only, are indicated in italics below. Dependent upon the

effectiveness of these changes, amendments may be made to the PTFP

regulations to implement these changes.

Section 2301.11 Service of Applications

Section 2301.11 provides that: `On or before the closing date, all

new or deferred applicants must serve a summary copy of the application

on the following Agencies:

(a) In the case of an application for a construction grant for

which FCC authorization is necessary, the Secretary, Federal

Communications Commission * * *.

(b) The state telecommunications agency(-ies) if any, having

jurisdiction over the development of broadcast and/or non broadcast

telecommunications in the state(s) and community(-ies) to be served by

the proposed project * * *.

(c) The state office established to review applications under

Executive Order 12372.'

Section 2301.11(a)--For the FY 1998 PTFP, applicants are not

required to submit copies of their PTFP applications to the FCC, nor

will they be required to submit copies of the FCC transmittal cover

letters as part of their PTFP applications. NTIA routinely notifies the

FCC of applications submitted for funding which require FCC

authorizations.

[[Page 369]]

Section 2301.11(b)--For the FY 1998 PTFP, applicants for distance

learning projects are not required to notify every state

telecommunications agency in a potential service area. NTIA has found

that state telecommunication agency input has been useful with regard

to broadcast projects, but has received little input from state

agencies with regard to distance learning projects. Since many distance

learning applications propose projects which are nationwide in nature,

NTIA believes that the requirement to provide a summary copy of the

application in every state telecommunications agency in a potential

service area is unduly burdensome to applicants. NTIA, however, does

expect that distance learning applicants will submit documentation that

they have coordinated their project with appropriate state

telecommunications agencies in their service area.

Section 2301.12 Federal Communications Commission Authorizations

Section 2301.12(a) provides, in part, that `Each applicant whose

project requires FCC authorization must file an application for that

authorization on or before the closing date. NTIA recommends that its

applicants submit PTFP-related FCC applications to the FCC at least 60

days prior to the PTFP closing date.'

For the FY 1998 PTFP, applicants may submit applications to the FCC

after the closing date, but do so at their own risk. Applicants are

urged to submit their FCC applications with as much time before the

PTFP closing date as possible. No grant will be awarded for a project

requiring FCC authorization until confirmation has been received by

NTIA from the FCC that the necessary authorization will be issued.

Section 2301.12(b) provides that `In the case of FCC authorizations

where it is not possible or practical to submit the FCC application

with the PTFP application, such as C-band satellite uplinks * * * a

copy of the FCC application as it will be submitted to the FCC, or the

equivalent engineering data, must be included in the PTFP application.'

For the FY 1998 PTFP applications, since there is no potential for

terrestrial interference with Ku-band satellite uplinks, grant

applicants for Ku-band satellite uplinks may submit FCC applications

after a PTFP award is made. Grant recipients for Ku-band satellite

uplinks will be required to document receipt of FCC authorizations to

operate the uplink prior to the release of Federal funds.

Section2301.12(d) provides that ``Any FCC authorization required

for the project must be in the name of the applicant for the PTFP

grant.''

For the FY 1998 PTFP applications, NTIA may accept FCC

authorizations that are in the name of an organization other than the

PTFP applicant in certain circumstances. Applicants requiring the use

of FCC authorizations issued to another organization should discuss in

the application Program Narrative why the FCC authorization must be in

the other organization's name. NTIA believes that such circumstances

will be rare and, in our experience, are usually limited to

authorizations such as those for microwave interconnections or

satellite uplinks.

Section 2301.12(g) provides that ``If the applicant fails to file

the required FCC application(s) by the closing date * * * the Agency

may reject or return the application.''

As noted above, for the FY 1998 PTFP applications, NTIA does not

require that the FCC applications must be filed by the closing date.

While NTIA is permitting submission of FCC applications after the

closing date, applicants are reminded that they must continue to

provide copies of FCC applications, as they were filed or will be

filed, or equivalent engineering data, in the PTFP application so NTIA

can properly evaluate the equipment request. These include applications

for permits, construction permits and licenses already received for (1)

construction of broadcast station or translator, (2) microwave

facilities, (3) ITFS authorizations, (4) SCA authorizations, and (5)

requests for extensions of time.''

Applicants should note that they must continue to comply with the

provisions of Executive Order 12372, ``Intergovernmental Review of

Federal Programs.'' The Executive Order requires applicants for

financial assistance under this program to file a copy of their

application with the Single Points of Contact (SPOC) of all states

relevant to the project. Applicants are required to provide a copy of

their completed application to the appropriate SPOC on or before

February 12, 1998. Applicants are encouraged to contact the appropriate

SPOC well before the PTFP closing date.

Indirect costs for construction applications are not supported by

this program. The total dollar amount of the indirect costs proposed in

a planning application under this program must not exceed the indirect

cost rate negotiated and approved by a cognizant Federal agency prior

to the proposed effective date of the award or 100 percent of the total

proposed direct costs dollar amount in the application, whichever is

less.

You are not required to respond to a collection of information

sponsored by the Federal government, and the government may not conduct

or sponsor this collection, unless it displays a currently valid OMB

control number or if we fail to provide you with this notice.

All primary applicants must submit a completed Form CD-511,

``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Other

Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and

Lobbying,'' and the following explanations are hereby provided:

(1) Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension. Prospective

participants (as defined at 15 CFR part 26, section 105) are subject to

15 CFR part 26, ``Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension'' and the

related section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

(2) Drug Free Workplace. Grantees (as defined at 15 CFR part 26,

section 605) are subject to 15 CFR part 26, subpart F, ``Government-

wide Requirements for Drug-Free Workplace (Grants)'' and the related

section of the certification form prescribed above applies;

(3) Anti-lobbying. Persons (as defined at 15 CFR part 28, section

105) are subject to the lobbying provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1352,

``Limitation on use of appropriated funds to influence certain Federal

contracting and financial transactions,'' and the lobbying section of

the certification form prescribed above applies to applicants/bidders

for grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts for more than

$100,000, and loans and loan guarantees for more than $150,000, or the

single family maximum mortgage limit for affected programs, whichever

is greater; and

(4) Anti-lobbying Disclosures. Any applicant that has paid or will

pay for lobbying using any funds must submit an SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of

Lobbying Activities,'' (OMB Control Number 0348-0046) as required under

15 CFR part 28, Appendix B.

Recipients shall require applicants/bidders for subgrants,

contracts, subcontracts, or other lower tier covered transactions at

any tier under the grant award to submit, if applicable, a completed

Form CD-512, ``Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension,

Ineligibility and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions

and Lobbying'' and disclosure form, SF-LLL, ``Disclosure of

[[Page 370]]

Lobbying Activities.'' Form CD-512 is intended for the use of

recipients and should not be transmitted to the Department. SF-LLL

submitted by any tier recipient or subrecipient should be submitted to

the Department in accordance with the instructions contained in the

award document.

If an application is selected for funding, the Department of

Commerce has no obligation to provide any additional future funding in

connection with that award. Renewal of an award to increase funding or

extend the period of performance is at the total discretion of the

Department.

Recipients and subrecipients are subject to all Federal laws and

Federal and DOC policies, regulations, and procedures applicable to

Federal assistance awards. In addition, unsatisfactory performance by

the applicant under prior Federal awards may result in the application

not being considered for funding.

If applicants incur any costs prior to an award being made, they do

so solely at their own risk of not being reimbursed by the Government.

Notwithstanding any verbal or written assurance that they have

received, there is no obligation on the part of the Department to cover

preaward costs.

No award of Federal funds shall be made to an applicant who has an

outstanding delinquent Federal debt until either: (1) The delinquent

account is paid in full; (2) a negotiated repayment schedule is

established and at least one payment is received, or (3) other

arrangements satisfactory to the Department are made.

Applicants are reminded that a false statement on the application

may be grounds for denial or termination of funds and grounds for

possible punishment by a fine or imprisonment as provided in 18 U.S.C.

1001.

Special Note: NTIA has established a policy which is intended to

encourage stations to increase from 25 percent to 50 percent the

matching percentage for those proposals that call for equipment

replacement, improvement, or augmentation (PTFP Policy Statement, (56

FR 59168 (1991)). The presumption of 50 percent funding will be the

general rule for the replacement, improvement or augmentation of

equipment. Exceptions to this general policy direction are as follows:

small community-licensee stations will not be subjected to this policy.

The same is true of a station that is licensed to a large institution

(e.g., a college or university) documenting that it does not receive

direct or in-kind support from the larger institution. Also, a showing

of extraordinary need or an emergency situation will be taken into

consideration as justification for grants of up to 75% of the project

cost for such proposals.

A point of clarification is in order: NTIA expects to continue

funding projects to activate stations or to extend service at up to 75

percent of the total project cost. NTIA will do this because applicants

proposing to provide first service to a geographic area ordinarily

incur considerable costs that are not eligible for NTIA funding. The

applicant must cover the ineligible costs including those for

construction or renovation of buildings and other similar expenses.

Since NTIA has limited funds for the PTFP program, the PTFP Final

Rules published November 8, 1996 modified NTIA's policy regarding the

funding of planning applications. Our policy now includes the general

presumption to fund planning projects at no more than 75 percent of the

project costs. NTIA notes that most of the planning grants awarded by

PTFP in recent years include matching in-kind services and funds

contributed by the grantee. The new NTIA policy therefore codifies what

already has become PTFP practice. NTIA, however, is mindful that

planning grants are sometimes the only resource that emerging community

groups have with which to initiate the planning of new facilities in

unserved areas. We therefore will continue to award up to 100 percent

of total project costs in cases of extraordinary need (e.g. small

community group proposing to initiate new public telecommunication

service).

We wish to take this opportunity to restate the policy published in

the November 22, 1991, PTFP Policy Statement (56 FR 59168 (1991)),

regarding applicants' use of funds from the Corporation for Public

Broadcasting (CPB) to meet the local match requirements of the PTFP

grant. NTIA continues to believe that the policies and purposes

underlying the PTFP requirements could be significantly frustrated if

applicants routinely relied upon another Federally supported grant

program for local matching funds. Accordingly, NTIA has limited the use

of CPB funds for the non-Federal share of PTFP projects to

circumstances of ``clear and compelling need'' (15 CFR 2301.6(c)(2)).

NTIA intends to maintain that standard and to apply it on a case-by-

case basis.

The November 22, 1991, PTFP Policy Statement (56 FR 59168 (1991))

also discussed a number of issues of particular relevance to applicants

proposing nonbroadcast educational and instructional projects and

potential improvement of nonbroadcast facilities. These policies remain

in effect and will be distributed to all PTFP applicants as part of the

Guidelines for preparing FY 1998 PTFP applications.

II. Eligible and Ineligible Costs

Eligible equipment for the 1998 grant round includes apparatus

necessary for the production, interconnection, captioning, broadcast,

or other distribution of programming, including but not limited to

studio equipment; audio and video storage, processing, and switching

equipment; terminal equipment; towers; antennas; transmitters; remote

control equipment; transmission line; translators; microwave equipment;

mobile equipment; satellite communications equipment; instructional

television fixed service equipment; subsidiary communications

authorization transmitting and receiving equipment; cable television

equipment; and optical fiber communications equipment.

The FCC's adoption of the Fifth Report and Order in April 1997

requires that all public television stations begin the broadcast of a

digital signal by May 1, 2003. NTIA believes that it is critical that

all public television applicants fully consider digital technology in

any request for equipment replacement submitted to PTFP. Any public

television applicant must describe whether it has a plan for digital

conversion to meet the FCC's mandate and whether the requested

equipment is consistent with that plan. If the applicant is developing

a plan for digital conversion, the application should address how the

requested equipment will be consistent with the overall objective of

converting the facility for digital broadcasting.

NTIA recognizes that digital technology will be an important means

for the more efficient creation and distribution of programming in the

future. Consequently, public broadcasters seeking to replace, upgrade,

and buy new equipment that employs digital technology will be

permitted, when appropriate, to use PTFP funds for such purposes.

The following list provides clarification regarding several

equipment and other cost areas that will be helpful in preparing

applications. NTIA also reserves the right to eliminate any costs,

whether specified here or not, that it determines are not appropriate

prior to the awarding of a grant.

A. Equipment and Supplies

(1) Buildings and Modifications to Buildings. (a) Eligible: Small

equipment shelters that are part of satellite earth stations,

translators, microwave

[[Page 371]]

interconnection facilities, and similar facilities. (b) Ineligible:

Purchase or lease of buildings and modifications to buildings,

including the renovation of space for studios intended to house

eligible equipment; costs associated with removing old equipment.

(2) Land and Land Improvements. (a) Eligible: Site preparation

necessary to construct towers and guy anchors for transmission and

interconnection equipment. (b) Ineligible: Purchase or lease of land.

(3) Moving Costs. (a) Eligible: Shipping and delivery charges for

equipment acquired within the award. (b) Ineligible: Moving costs

required by relocation of any facilities.

(4) Reception Equipment. (a) Eligible: Fixed frequency demodulator,

as required by good engineering practice for monitoring the off-air

transmission of signals; subcarrier demodulator; telemetry transmitters

and receivers; satellite receivers; and subcarrier decoders for the

handicapped. (b) Ineligible: Consumer-type TV sets and FM receivers.

(5) Tower Modifications. (a) Eligible: Strengthening or modifying a

commercial entity's tower to accommodate a public broadcasting entity

(structural modifications on towers and/or antenna changes must meet

EIA (Electronic Industries Association) and any required local

standards). (b) Ineligible: Modifying or strengthening the applicant's

tower to accommodate a commercial entity.

(6) Production and Control Room Equipment. (a) Eligible: Standard

production studio and control room equipment for TV or radio program

production. (b) Ineligible: Consumer-type mixers, tape recorders,

turntables, CD players, etc; ancillary production devices such as

stopwatches and stop-clocks, building lights, sound effects, scenery

and props, cycloramas, sound insulation devices and materials,

draperies and related equipment for production use, film and still

photography processing, film sound synchronization editing.

(7) Video Equipment. (a) Eligible: Videotape editing and processing

equipment that conforms to broadcast-standard quality equipment for

field recording and production editing. (b) Ineligible: Consumer level

videotape recording formats not accepted in the industry as broadcast-

standard quality.

(8) Furniture and Office Equipment. (a) Eligible: Consoles required

to mount equipment such as audio consoles and video switchers. (b)

Ineligible: Such items as office furniture, office equipment, studio

clocks and systems, blackboards, office intercoms, equipment inventory

labels and label-makers, word processors, telephone systems, and

printing and duplication equipment.

(9) Expendable Items and Spare Parts. (a) Eligible: A transmitter

spare parts kit and one set of final and driver tubes for a transmitter

awarded in the grant; a spare parts kit for video tape recorders

awarded in the grant. (b) Ineligible: Spare lenses, spare circuit

components, spare parts kits for studio equipment, except as noted

above; recording tape, film, reels, cartridge tapes, records, compact

discs, and record or tape cleaning equipment; art and graphics

supplies; maintenance supplies, including replacement final and driver

tubes normally considered in the industry as normal maintenance-budget-

provided items and similar items.

(10) Backup Equipment. (a) Eligible: Hot standby or backup

microwave for the main studio-to-transmitter link only; a backup or

spare exciter for a television transmitter, as required by good

engineering practice. (b) Ineligible: Redundant equipment, such as

spare transmitters, or costs associated with them, as well as backup

microwave equipment (except as noted above).

(11) Electric Power. (a) Eligible: Generally, all primary power

costs from the output of the main power meter panel; regulators and

surge protectors, as required by good engineering practice, to

stabilize transmitter RF output. Where primary power is not available

or is unusable for broadcast, then PTFP may provide funding for those

devices needed to power the facility if the need for that equipment is

fully documented in the application. (b) Ineligible: Costs of

installing primary power to the facility, including transformers, power

lines, gasoline or diesel powered generators, and related equipment.

(12) Test and Maintenance Equipment. (a) Eligible: Required test

equipment, as indicated by good engineering practice for the

maintenance of the project equipment. (b) Ineligible: Maintenance

equipment such as hand and power tools, storage cabinets, and

maintenance services.

(13) Air Conditioning and Ventilation. (a) Eligible: The costs to

provide ventilation of eligible project equipment, such as ducting for

transmitters, as required by good engineering practice. Transmitter air

conditioning can be applied for and will be supported if the need is

well-documented in the application. (b) Ineligible: Unless

exceptionally well-documented, air conditioning for transmitters,

control rooms, or equipment rooms, studios, mobile units, and other

operational rooms and offices.

(14) Remote Vans. (a) Eligible: Items to equip a remote van for

audio/video production. (b) Ineligible: All vehicles.

B. Other Costs

(1) Construction Applications: NTIA generally will not fund salary

expenses, including staff installation costs, and pre-application legal

and engineering fees. Certain ``pre-operational expenses'' are eligible

for funding. (See 15 CFR 2301.2.) Despite this provision, NTIA regards

its primary mandate to be funding the acquisition of equipment and only

secondarily funding of salaries. A discussion of this issue appears in

the PTFP Final Rules under the heading Support for Salary Expenses in

the introductory section of the document.

(2) Planning Applications. (a) Eligible: Salaries are eligible

expenses for all planning grant applications, but should be fully

described and justified within the application. Planning grant

applicants may lease office equipment, furniture and space, and may

purchase expendable supplies under the terms of Section 392(c) of the

Act. (b) Ineligible: Planning grant applications cannot include the

cost of constructing or operating a telecommunications facility.

(3) Audit Costs. Audits shall be performed in accordance with audit

requirements contained in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-

133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations,

revised June 30, 1997. OMB Circular A-133 requires that non-profit

organizations, government agencies, Indian tribes and educational

institutions expending more than $300,000 in federal funds during a

one-year period conduct a single audit in accordance with guidelines

outlined in the circular. Applicants are reminded that other audits may

be conducted by the Office of Inspector General.

Federal guidelines allow NTIA to include an amount for audit costs

as part of a grant award. NTIA policy permits non-profit organizations

to include up to $5,000 for audit costs in an application. Because

audit costs may vary depending on the size and scope of an organ

ization's operations, NTIA recommends that applicants obtain estimates

from auditors to determine the appropriate amount to include in their

applications. Construction Grant Applicants should list the amount

requested for audit costs in Part II, Section B--Other Project Costs,

p.3 of the PTFP Application Form. Planning Grant Applicants should

include the amount on line 7, Other, in Part II--

[[Page 372]]

Budget Information for Planning Grant Applicants, p. 4 of the PTFP

Application Form.

III. Notice of Applications Received

In accordance with 15 CFR 2301.13, NTIA will publish a notice in

the Federal Register listing all applications received by the Agency.

Listing an application in such a notice merely acknowledges receipt of

an application to compete for funding with other applications.

Publication does not preclude subsequent return of the application for

the reasons discussed under the Dates section above, or disapproval of

the application, nor does it assure that the application will be

funded. The notice will also include a request for comments on the

applications from any interested party.

IV. Evaluation Process

See 15 CFR 2301.16 for a description of the Technical Evaluation

and 15 CFR 2301.17 for the Evaluation Criteria.

V. Selection Process

Based upon the above cited evaluation criteria, the PTFP program

staff prepares summary recommendations for the PTFP Director. These

recommendations incorporate outside reviewers rankings and

recommendations, engineering assessments, and input from the National

Advisory Panel, State Single Point of Contacts and state

telecommunications agencies. Staff recommendations also consider

project impact, the cost/benefit of a project and whether review panels

have consistently applied the evaluation criteria. The PTFP Director

will consider the summary recommendations prepared by program staff,

will recommend the funding order of the applications, and will present

recommendations to the OTIA (Office of Telecommunications and

Information Applications) Associate Administrator for review and

approval. The PTFP Director recommends the funding order for

applications in three categories: ``Recommended for Funding,''

``Recommended for Funding if Funds Available,'' and ``Not Recommended

for Funding.'' See 15 CFR 2301.18 for a description of the selection

factors retained by the Director, OTIA Associate Administrator, and the

Assistant Secretary for Telecommunications and Information.

Upon review and approval by the OTIA Associate Administrator, the

Director's recommendations will then be presented to the Selection

Official, the NTIA Administrator. The NTIA Administrator selects the

applications to be negotiated for possible grant award taking into

consideration the Director's recommendations and the degree to which

the slate of applications, taken as a whole, satisfies the program's

stated purposes set forth at 15 CFR 2301.1(a) and (c). These

applications are negotiated between PTFP staff and the applicant. The

negotiations are intended to resolve whatever differences might exist

between the applicant's original request and what PTFP proposes to

fund. During negotiations, some applications may be dropped from the

proposed slate, due to lack of Federal Communications Commission

licensing authority, an applicant's inability to make adequate

assurances or certifications, or other reasons. Negotiation of an

application does not ensure that a final award will be made. When the

negotiations are completed, the PTFP Director recommends final

selections to the NTIA Administrator applying the same factors as

listed in 15 CFR 2301.18. The Administrator then makes the final award

selections from the negotiated applications taking into consideration

the Director's recommendations and the degree to which the slate of

applications, taken as a whole, satisfies the program's stated purposes

in 15 CFR 2301.1(a) and (c).

VI. Project Period

Planning grant award periods customarily do not exceed one year,

whereas construction grant award periods commonly range from one to two

years. Although these time frames are generally applied to the award of

all PTFP grants, variances in project periods may be based on specific

circumstances of an individual proposal.

Authority: The Public Telecommunications Financing Act of 1978,

as amended, 47 U.S.C. Secs. 390-393, 397-399(b) (Act).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 11.550)

Bernadette McGuire-Rivera,

Associate Administrator, Office of Telecommunications and Information

Applications.

[FR Doc. 98-40 Filed 1-2-98; 8:45am]

BILLING CODE 3510-60-P