The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted with stark contrast the critical necessity of broadband to support telework, economic activity, education, and health care and to support businesses and communities under many circumstances. Broadband is a critical utility and economic tool that will enable and foster the needed economic recovery in New Mexico over the coming months and years as the pandemic runs its course and beyond.

This document provides a description and guidelines for the NM TAP based on the framework architecture for the program as outlined in the EDA grant. The NM TAP will help communities in the areas of greatest need throughout the State of New Mexico accelerate their recovery from the COVID-19 disaster by:

1. 1. Providing technical assistance to qualified government entities including tribal government, utility coops, companies, non-profits, and communities who are seeking to deploy or expand broadband infrastructure and/or services. This will enable the critical areas mentioned above to explore, expand, and diversify their economic capabilities under any circumstances in this new reality. It will also support entities who have not explored broadband planning, deployment, or expansion efforts because the burden is too great.
   2. Laying the groundwork for communities to build broadband infrastructure which will create jobs for the construction of the network(s).
   3. Enabling community businesses and residents to conduct business more efficiently and/or work from home as well as helping them to compete for high-quality jobs.
   4. Diversifying the economies within the communities. Adequate broadband would allow these communities to engage in businesses, education, and research in areas that they were not able to with poor or nonexistent access to the internet.
   5. Attracting workers whose employers have embraced work from home and/or who may be looking to relocate to safe, remote areas during these times.
   6. Supporting the expansion of broadband for existing industries in the State including oil and gas, aerospace, and agriculture.

The importance of broadband to the life of New Mexicans has never been more apparent. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, broadband internet access had become foundational to economic activity, political and civic engagement, education, healthcare, and delivery of public services. Given the crisis, the necessity of broadband to support telework, economic activity, education, and health care has only grown; broadband will be a valuable enabler of economic recovery in New Mexico.

Based on the available funding from the EDA, DoIT proposes to assist 12 to 15 New Mexico communities or organizations over the next two years—providing each with a custom-designed set of services. The NM TAP elements are summarized here.

1. 1. Create Program Guidelines and Provide Outreach The program guidelines will document the program elements in detail and provide guidance for DoIT to execute the program. Planned outreach includes interactive on-line sessions for internet service providers (ISP) and broadband stakeholders in New Mexico, a webinar sharing details on current broadband-related federal funding opportunities, and additional individual sessions with ISPs or stakeholders to discuss the program and gain an understanding of needs.
   2. Develop and Release a Request for Information (RFI) to Potential Recipients; Review Responses Develop an appropriate vehicle inviting eligible entities in New Mexico to respond seeking assistance. If necessary, there will be two cycles of procurement during the three years of the program (as shown on the program schedule included in this application).
   3. Provide Services to Recipient Organizations Each organization seeking assistance represents a unique community and will need varying levels of support to develop planning. The following outlines the activities recipient organizations may receive (based on each organization’s need) with the goal of developing a viable broadband plan:
      • Assist recipient organizations to identify and engage stakeholders and non-physical assets
      • Educate community leaders
      • Assess the recipient communities’ current broadband infrastructure and market
      • Evaluate current and future demand for broadband (needs assessment)
      • Prepare a high-level design and cost estimate for broadband deployment
      • Evaluate funding options and develop strategic approaches to acquire needed funding
      • Prepare Broadband Strategic Planning Guidebook

Proposals for NM TAP are through a Request for Information (RFI) instrument. The RFI was released on 16 September 2021 and proposals due 17 October 2021. However, that is a soft date. NM DoIT will continue to receive proposals throughout the duration of the US EDA Grant cycle. As this is not a competive process, the intent is not to turn anyone away. To access the NM TAP Request for Information and a webinar explaining the process please click on the following links:

• Request for Information (RFI# 22-36100-04409): Technical Assistance Program for Broadband
• NM TAP Webinar Overview Slides and Recording (1.0 GB)

In support of the NM TAP the DoIT NM Broadband Program (NMBBP) with CTC Techology and Energy have hosted two webinars focusing on funding availability from Federal Sources.

• Federal Funding Webinar Slides and Recording (2.0 GB)
• USDA Reconnect Funding Webinar Slides and Recording (330 MB)

• Technical: Gar Clarke, Broadband Project Manager
• Programmatic: Rand Tilton, Broadband Program Manager