BEAD Challenge Process FAQ Updated 12:00 p.m. CT, December 11, 2024
Read BEAD Challenge Process Guide
Challenged Location IDs Open For Rebuttal
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Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program
The BEAD Program will provide $797.4 million to build broadband infrastructure and develop programs to expand high-speed internet access.
BEAD is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the US Department of Commerce. The Oklahoma Broadband Office (OBO) will manage the competitive grant process, subgrantee selection process and awardee monitoring and compliance.
Subgrantee Selection Process
The Oklahoma Broadband Office will launch Candidate Pool 1 for the BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process on Monday, April 21.
Access to BEAD applications will become available starting at 9:00am Central Time in the BEAD portal.
Applicants will not gain access to submit a proposed BEAD project until they have completed their Pre-Qualification application. Pre-Qualification is located within the BEAD portal.
| Candidate Pool | Open Date | Close Date | Duration |
| Candidate Pool 1 | 4/21/2025 | 5/26/2025 | 5 weeks |
| Candidate Pool 2 | 4/28/2025 | 5/26/2025 | 4 weeks |
| Candidate Pool 3 | 5/5/2025 | 5/26/2025 | 3 weeks |
| Candidate Pool 4 | 5/12/2025 | 5/26/2025 | 2 weeks |
BEAD NET Request for Information
The first Request for Information window closed on Friday, February 21 at 11:59pm. The OBO received robust feedback from the business community about potential ways to serve all Oklahomans most efficiently with 483 RFIs submitted.
On March 31, the office opened a second RFI window for updated NETs only. NTIA updated BEAD eligible locations to account for awarded Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program funding. Original RFIs will still stand unless they are impacted by NTIA's updates. Submitting RFIs will follow the same process as the orginial submission period.
The second RFI window closed on Wednesday, April 9.
All location and NET data has been finalized.
NETs will be the basis for the BEAD Subgrantee Selection process. The RFI process is the one opportunity for companies to request changes to proposed NETs.
For technical difficulties email okhelpdesk@ready.net.
BEAD Pre-Qualification
Pre-Qualification is now avaiilable for organizations interested in participating in the BEAD Subgrantee Selection Process. It is a requirement before organizations can apply for BEAD funding. Questions will be related to an organization's operational history, finances and personnel, among other topics. An organization will complete the pre-qualification within the BEAD portal. If an organization participated in the BEAD Challenge Process, request access to the portal by emailing okhelpdesk@ready.net. Use the subject line, "OPT-IN" and include associated company name, your name, and your email.
For organizations new to the BEAD program, register for portal access here.
Access the Pre-Qualification Guide here.
Access the Pre-Qualficiation within the BEAD Portal here.
Organizations will have through the end of the Subgrantee Selection process to complete Pre-Qualification. Subgrantee Selection has not started yet.
For technical difficulties email okhelpdesk@ready.net.
BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQ
BEAD Subgrantee Selection FAQ Updated 4:30 p.m. CT, April 15, 2025
BEAD Applicant Resources
Tribal Letter of Consent
When requesting a letter of consent from Tribal Nations, applicants can use these templates approved by individual Tribes.
Other Resources
Eligible Entity Requirements
CostQuest Licenses
To access appropriate location data, the Oklahoma Broadband Office is requiring organizations that want to participate in BEAD to acquire a CostQuest license. This will allow an organization to view location data for mapping and planning purposes. To learn more click here.
Tier D License - Entities that participate in Federal Broadband Programs and will file challenges during state led challenges processes or relevant reporting will need a Tier D license. Examples: Recipients, sub-recipients, and prospective recipients of federal broadband funds from Federal Broadband Granting Agencies. Please use this link to request a license.
Tier E License - Entities that seek to participate in the BEAD program challenge processes will need a Tier E license. Examples: Units of local government, non-profits, and FCC Tier 4 organizations. Please use this link to request a license.
In addition, Eligible Entities will need to have an active FCC Registration Number (FRN), Employer Identification Number (EIN) and/or a Unique Entity Identifier through Sam.gov.
Note: Unique Entity Identifiers will be needed at the time of award.
- Availability - service identified is not offered at the location
- Examples of evidence:
- Screenshot of ISP webpage.
- A service request was refused within the last 180 days (e.g., an email or letter from ISP).
- Lack of suitable infrastructure (e.g., no fiber on pole).
- A letter or email dated within the last 365 days that an ISP failed to schedule a service installation or offer an installation date within 10 business days of a request.
- A letter or email dated within the last 365 days indicating that an ISP requested more than the standard installation fee to connect this location, or that an ISP quoted an amount more than the ISP’s standard installation charge to connect service at the location.
- Examples of evidence:
- Technology - technology indicated for the location is incorrect
- Examples of evidence:
- Manufacturer and model number of residential gateway (CPE) that demonstrates the service is delivered via a specific technology.
- Examples of evidence:
- Enforceable commitment - broadband will/will not be deployed at the location by the date established in the deployment obligation
- Examples of evidence:
- Enforceable commitment by service provider (e.g., authorization letter). In the case of Tribal Lands, the challenger must submit the requisite legally binding agreement between the relevant Tribal Government and the service provider for the location(s) at issue (see Section 6.2 in Volume I).
- Examples of evidence:
- Planned Service - broadband will be deployed at the location within 12 months from the launch of the challenge process
- Examples of evidence:
- Construction contracts or similar evidence of ongoing deployment, along with evidence that all necessary permits have been applied for or obtained.
- Contracts or a similar binding agreement between the OBO and the ISP committing that planned service will meet the BEAD definition and requirements of reliable and qualifying broadband even if not required by its funding source (i.e., a separate federal grant program), including the expected date deployment will be completed, which must be within 12 months from the launch of the challenge process.
- Examples of evidence:
- Data cap - available service plans have monthly data caps below 600 GB
- Examples of evidence:
- Screenshot of ISP webpage.
- Service description provided
to consumer.
- Examples of evidence:
- Business only service - residential location has service listed but is only for business purposes
- Examples of evidence:
- Screenshot of ISP webpage.
- Examples of evidence:
- Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) - location should/should not be classified as a CAI (i.e. libraries, schools, hospitals, etc)
- Examples of evidence:
- Any evidence that proves the location falls within the definitions of CAIs set by the OBO, or does not.
- Examples of evidence:
The office hosted live events on September 12, 13, 23 & 27 for entities interested in participating in the BEAD Challenge Process.
These events, offered online and in person, explained the challenge process and its significance to the BEAD program.
Attendees watched a demo on how to use the challenge portal. The demo was recorded for those unable to attend.
Eligible Entities include:
- Internet service providers
- Local/Tribal Governments
- Community Anchor Institutions:
- Schools
- Libraries
- Health centers
- Public safety entities
- Institutions of higher learning
- Public housing organizations
- Community support organizations
- Nonprofit organizations
Event Information
Thursday, September 12, 1:00 p.m.: Virtual Teams call. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/3txm3fsp
Friday, September 13, 1:30 p.m.: Apache Casino Hotel, 2315 East Gore Boulevard, Lawton. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/387awt8t
Monday, September 23, 1:00 p.m.: Choctaw Community Center, 1201 W Liberty Rd, Atoka. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/42jwsp8x
Friday, September 27, 1:00 p.m.: Enid Public Library, 120 West Maine Street. RSVP and access call using this link: https://tinyurl.com/mr39bsxj
Initial Proposal Volume I has been approved by NTIA.
In compliance with federal guidance, the BEAD Initial Proposal Volume I focuses on existing funding, unserved and underserved locations, community anchor institutions, and a challenge process.
View Initial Proposal Volume I
Community Anchor Institutions (CAIs) play a critical role in delivering internet access and relaying information to residents. CAIs include, libraries, community centers, and other public entities that assist Oklahomans with critical high-speed internet required in our everyday lives.
View Oklahoma's Community Anchor Institutions
Click here to learn more about BEAD.
Initial Proposal Volume II has been approved by NTIA.
It focuses on how Oklahoma will deploy broadband across the state. It covers the subgrantee selection process, affordability plans, workforce readiness, and much more.
View the document here.
The state's Five Year Action Plan has been approved by NTIA.
Last Modified on
Apr 18, 2025
