NOFA No. 2021–MBI–02

Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (“Mass Tech Collaborative” or “MassTech”), on behalf of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute (“MBI”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Availability for Grants to Gateway Cities to Establish Community WiFi Hotspots (“Hotspot(s)”) (NOFA No.2021-MBI-02) (“NOFA”).  MBI is soliciting applications for grant funding from municipal officials in eligible Gateway Cities ("Applicant(s)") to support the deployment of wireless access points and related technologies to establish and maintain internet access through December 31, 2021, through one or more indoor and/or outdoor Hotspots or comparable internet access solutions.  MBI is also soliciting proposals from qualified organizations to establish partnerships that will support the goals and objectives of the NOFA. 

The Baker-Polito Administration announced on October 22, 2020, a $774 million comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan that focuses on getting people back to work, supporting small businesses, fostering innovation, revitalizing downtowns and ensuring housing stability. The Economic Recovery Plan designated MBI to administer programs to expand internet access for people impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing Hotspots in the Gateway Cities is a critical component of the Economic Recovery Plan goal of supporting internet connectivity for populations that have financial barriers to internet access. Due to the urgent need to expand internet access, it is a high priority for the MassTech Collaborative to award grants to municipalities that can stand up Hotspots on an expedited schedule.

Full details on this procurement are included in the downloadable PDF available below.

NOFA No. 2021-MBI-02

Procurement Team Lead:                                 Michael Baldino, baldino (at) masstech.org

RFP Released:                                                   January 25, 2021

Responses Due:                                                 Rolling Submission

Download Application Documents: