The Washington State Department of Commerce hereafter called "COMMERCE,” Broadband Digital Equity (BB DE) Unit is initiating this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), NOFO–BBDE-DNP-24-001, to solicit proposals from those qualified and interested in competitive grant funding, to implement digital equity and navigation services to WA State residents.

BB DE recognizes there is a need to continue digital navigator services to advance digital equity and connectivity to individuals and households with limited access to services. Building upon previous years of Digital Navigation work, the applicant must be a consortium to achieve the goal of increased digital equity and navigation services for people with limited access to services, to include one-on-one and group assistance for people with limited access to services.

Funding Request:

Applications may request funding of no more than $14,500,000.00 per fiscal year.

Project Period:

August 01, 2023 through June 30, 2025, year one start date August 01, 2023 through end date June 30, 2024, year two start date July 01, 2024 through end date June 30, 2025. Year two funding is dependent upon Commerce review and approval of year one achieved and timely deliverables, measurable outcomes and year two work plan and budget.

Funding Source: SB5187: Proviso

Funding is to provide digital navigator services, devices, and subscriptions.These services must include, but are not limited to, one-on-one assistance for people with limited access to services, including individuals seeking work, students seeking digital technical support, families supporting students, English language learners, Medicaid clients, people experiencing poverty, and seniors.

Funding:

Applications in excess of $14,500,000.00 per fiscal year will be rejected as non-responsive and will not be evaluated. In the event additional funding becomes available, any contract awarded may be amended to provide for additional related services. Additional funding is not guaranteed. Any contract(s) awarded as a result of this NOFO is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Period of performance:

The period of performance of any contract(s) resulting from the NOFO is tentatively scheduled to begin on or about 08/01/2023 and to end 06/30/2025.

ADA:

Commerce complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants may contact the program manager to receive this NOFO in Braille or on tape.

Required Attachments:

• Consortium Org Chart
• Work Plan Template
• Budget Template
• Data Management Plan
• Certifications and Assurances
• Organization Chart

Evaluation and Scoring

Commerce will identify a team to review, evaluate and score each application, to include a meeting for justification of scoring. All applications with scoring will then be reviewed by Commerce leadership to review and justify the scoring outcomes, to then identify the highest scoring applicants to identify the awardee(s) and awarded amount(s). The following weighting and points will be assigned for evaluation purposes:

Total of 100 points

• Questions 30 Points
  • Abstract: Does the applicant clearly and succinctly describe the project, objective and goals?
  • Does the applicant provide a project that will meet the NOFO objective(s)?
  • Does the applicant articulate the approach and methodology of data collection and data management plan that will provide measurable outcomes?
  • Does the applicant respond to all questions?
  • Does the applicant include all required attachment?
  • Does the applicant describe how the project will meet the proviso requirement in providing digital navigator services, devices and subscriptions, to specified groups of people with limited access?
• Work Plan 35 Points
  • Will the applicants approach meet the NOFO objectives?
  • Does the applicant clearly describe activities that will achieve the objectives, goals and measurable outcomes?
  • Does the applicant provide achievable and meaningful outcomes?

• Budget 35 Points
  • Does the applicant succinctly provide a budget narrative to achieve the project objectives and goals?
  • Does the applicant align the budgeted costs with work plan activities through the justification statement?

Definitions for the purposes of this NOFO include:

Apparent Successful Applicant/Grantee/Awardee: The Applicant(s) selected to enter into negotiations leading to a fully executed contract for the work described in this procurement document.

Applicant: Individual, company, organization, or firm submitting an Application in order to attain a contract with COMMERCE - BB DE.

Applicant or Grantee: Individual or ordeganization who’s Application has been accepted by COMMERCE- BB DE and is awarded a fully executed, written contract.

Application: A complete, formal offer submitted in response to this NOFO.

COMMERCE: The Department of Commerce is the agency of the state of Washington that is issuing this NOFO.

Community Based Organization:

This is an organization that has at least one year of providing community services in the application service area and is either a non-profit or for profit entity. 

Contract: A written, legally binding agreement to perform the services proposed, also called a Grant or Interagency Agreement.

Digital Curriculum and Education Services:

For the purpose of this funding curriculum is the topic of which will be shared with individuals and or groups to increase knowledge and or skills to enhance and increase access and usability of digital devices, platforms.

Digital Device:

1. Laptops
2. Computers
3. Hot spot devices with services that do not go beyond the project year
4. Digital supporting devices such as cameras, head phones with microphone, mouse, digital device carriers for portability