Federal Agency Name: National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Department of Commerce

Funding Opportunity Title: Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP)

Announcement Type: Initial Announcement-Notice of Availability of Funds

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number: 11.550. Public Telecommunications Facilities Program

Program Authority: 47 U.S.C. 390-393, 397

Dates: Completed applications must be received at the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program office no later than 6:00 p.m., EST, Tuesday, March 1, 2005.

Funding Opportunity Description: The Public Telecommunications Facilities Program (PTFP) assists, through matching grants, in the planning and construction of public telecommunications facilities in order to:

1. extend delivery of services to as many citizens as possible by the most cost-effective means, including use of broadcast and non-broadcast technologies;
   
2. increase public telecommunications services and facilities available to, operated by, and controlled by minorities and women;
   
3. strengthen the capability of existing public TV and radio stations to provide public telecommunications services to the public.

Amount to be Awarded: $19.8 million; approximately 100 awards.

Funding Instrument: Grant

Eligible Applicants: To apply for and receive a PTFP Construction or Planning Grant, an applicant must be: (a) a public or noncommercial educational broadcast station; (b) a noncommercial telecommunications entity; (c) a system of public telecommunications entities; (d) a non-profit foundation, corporation, institution, or association organized primarily for educational or cultural purposes; or (e) a state, local, or Indian tribal government (or agency thereof), or a political or special purpose subdivision of a state.

Cost Sharing: Cost sharing is required.

Limitation on Number of Applications: None

Table of Contents for Electronic Access to this FFO

1. Funding Opportunity Description
1. PTFP Rules
2. NTIA Areas of Interest for the FY 2005 Grant Round
1. Eligible Projects and Priorities
2. Radio Broadcasting
1. Radio signal expansion
2. Radio station conversion to digital transmission
3. Internet streaming
4. Public Radio Satellite System-related applications
5. Stand-by Power Generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units
3. Television Broadcasting
1. Remaining digital conversion requirements and deadlines
2. FY 2005 procedures for digital conversion and equipment replacement applications
1. Subpriorities for digital conversion projects
2. Equipment eligible for digital television conversion projects and equipment replacement
3. Effective date for expenditure of local matching funds for digital television conversion projects
4. Funding levels for television projects
5. Use of Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) matching funds
6. Coordination with CPB and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), U.S. Department of Agriculture
4. Distance Learning and Nonbroadcast Projects
2. Award Information
3. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
2. Matching Funds Requirements
1. Construction Applications
2. Planning Applications
3. General Provisions
3. Other
4. Application and Submission Information
1. Address to Request Application Package
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
3. Submission Dates and Times
4. Intergovernmental Review
5. Funding Restrictions
1. Construction Grants
2. Planning Grants
3. Audit Costs
4. Indirect Costs
6. PTFP Mailing and Delivery Address for Applications
5. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
2. Review and Selection Process
3. Anticipated Announcement and Award Dates
6. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
1. General Conditions
2. Payment of Federal Funds
3. Protection of Equipment
3. Reporting
1. Reports Submitted to PTFP
2. Reports Submitted to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Grants and Agreements Management Division
4. Agency Contacts
5. Other Information
1. NTIA Policies on Procedural Matters
1. Applications Resulting from Catastrophic Damage or Emergency Situations
2. Service of Applications
3. FCC Authorizations
2. Department of Commerce Procedural Matters

I.   Funding Opportunity Description

1. PTFP Rules
   This section describes funding available under the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program, pursuant to Rules which were published on November 8, 1996 (61 FR 57966). Copies of the 1996 Rules (15 CFR Part 2301) are posted on the NTIA Internet site at www.ntia.doc.gov/Rules/currentrules.htm and NTIA will make printed copies available to applicants upon request.
   
   
2. NTIA Areas of Interest for the FY 2005 Grant Round

This section is divided into four parts. The first part provides an overview of the projects eligible for PTFP funding. The remaining three parts provide specific information about NTIA's emphasis for funding opportunities during the FY 2005 grant cycle. The four parts in this section are:




     1.   Eligible Projects and Priorities
     2.   Radio Broadcasting, Expansion and Digital Conversion
     3.   Television Broadcasting and Digital Conversion
     4.   Nonbroadcast (Distance Learning) Projects


1. Eligible Projects and Priorities
   
   An applicant may file an application with the Agency for a planning or construction grant. Each application shall be identified as a broadcast or nonbroadcast project and must fall within at least one of the following categories which are summarized here and are fully described in §2301.4 of the PTFP Rules:
   
   
1. Special Applications (Nonbroadcast/Distance Learning). NTIA possesses the discretionary authority to recommend awarding grants to eligible nonbroadcast applicants whose proposals are unique or innovative and which address demonstrated and substantial community needs (e.g., service to the blind or deaf and nonbroadcast projects offering educational or instructional services).
   
2. Broadcast Applications. The Broadcast Priorities are set forth in order of priority for funding.
   
   
1. Priority 1 Provision of public telecommunications facilities for first radio and television signals to a geographic area. Within this category, NTIA establishes three subcategories:
   1. Priority 1A. Projects that include local origination capacity.
   2. Priority 1B. Projects that do not include local origination capacity.
   3. Priority 1C. Projects that provide first nationally distributed programming. This subcategory includes projects that provide satellite downlink facilities to noncommercial radio and television stations that would bring nationally distributed programming to a geographic area for the first time.
      
2. Priority 2 Replacement of basic equipment of existing essential broadcast stations. The term "essential stations" refers to existing broadcast stations that provide either the only public telecommunications signal or the only locally originated public telecommunications signal to a geographical area.
3. Priority 3 Establishment of a first local origination capacity in a geographical area. Projects in this category include the planning or construction of facilities to bring the first local origination capacity to an area already receiving public telecommunications services from distant sources through translators, repeaters, or cable systems.
4. Priority 4 Improvement of public broadcasting services: Projects eligible for consideration under this category are intended to improve the delivery of public broadcasting services to a geographic area. Within this category, NTIA establishes two subcategories:



1. Priority 4A. This subcategory includes the four following types of projects:



1. Applications to replace urgently needed equipment from public broadcasting stations that do not meet the Priority 2 criteria because they do not provide either the only public telecommunications signal or the only locally originated public telecommunications signal to a geographic area.
2. The establishment of public broadcasting facilities to serve a geographic area already receiving public telecommunications services.
3. The acquisition of satellite downlinks for public radio stations in areas already served by one or more full-service public radio stations.
4. The acquisition of the necessary items of equipment to bring the inventory of an already-operating station to the basic level of equipment requirements established by PTFP.


2. Priority 4B. The improvement and non-urgent replacement of equipment at any public broadcasting station.


5. Priority 5 Augmentation of Existing Broadcast Stations. Projects in this category would equip an existing station beyond a basic capacity to broadcast programming from distant sources and to originate local programming. Within this category, NTIA establishes two subcategories:
   
   
1. Priority 5A. Projects to equip auxiliary studios at remote locations, or to provide mobile origination facilities.


2. Priority 5B. Projects to augment production capacity beyond basic level in order to provide programming or related materials for other than local distribution.


6. Broadcast Other cases (Digital Conversion). NTIA possesses the discretionary authority to recommend awarding grants to eligible broadcast applicants whose proposals are so unique or innovative that they do not clearly fall within the five Priorities listed in this section. Innovative projects submitted under this category must address demonstrated and substantial community needs or must address issues related to the conversion of public broadcasting facilities to advanced digital technologies.
   
   Please note that for the FY 2005 grant round, NTIA has established three subpriorities under the Broadcast Other category. These subpriorities are discussed in the sections on Radio Broadcasting and Television Broadcasting below.
   


2. Radio Broadcasting
   
   NTIA will take great care to ensure that its funding of radio applications follows the directive of 47 U.S.C. §393(c) that "a substantial amount" of each year's PTFP funds should be awarded to public radio. For the FY 2005 grant round, the eligibility and priority of radio projects, eligibility of radio equipment, and the presumption of 50% funding for radio equipment replacement applications remain as they were in the FY 2004 grant round.
   
   In response to recent events and changes in technology and in the Federal regulatory environment, NTIA is providing guidance on five issues of interest to potential radio applicants. Applicants proposing projects involving (a) radio signal expansion, (b) conversion to digital transmission, (c) Internet streaming, (d) Public Radio Satellite System-related applications, and (e) stand-by Power Generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units should read the appropriate sections below. There are no changes from the FY 2004 grant cycle in applicant requirements in sections (a) and (c). In section (b), NTIA will now fund additional equipment required by stations to provide programming utilizing the Supplemental Audio Channel of digital radio, when authorized by the FCC. Sections (d) and (e) provide new guidance for the FY 2005 grant round.
1. Radio signal expansion

NTIA's highest priority is activation of public broadcasting facilities to provide a public broadcasting signal to unserved audiences. NTIA is prepared to fund new radio station projects as warranted by reviewers' evaluations and PTFP's financial resources. Activation of new radio stations has been delayed in recent years as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) placed a "freeze" on new applications while it considers a large number of mutually exclusive applications for construction permits.

NTIA anticipates receiving many applications for station activation projects when the FCC begins to accept new applications, resolves mutually exclusive applications, or issues authorizations for non-mutually exclusive applications. In anticipation of increased interest in these types of applications, we are hereby providing the following guidance to potential applicants.

NTIA's first priority for radio projects remains activations to provide the first public radio signal to an area. These projects are divided into two subgroups, Priority 1A and Priority 1B.

First Signal Activations with Local Origination: Priority 1A. As in the past, Priority 1A status will be given to first public radio signal projects that will originate a local public radio service to a geographic area. A Priority 1A application must include local offices and studios which are fully staffed for station management and program production.

NTIA has long recognized that new fully-staffed Priority 1A projects are usually submitted by organizations that are beginning to build community support. Priority 1A projects usually also incur significant project costs which are ineligible for Federal support, such as studio building acquisition/renovation and start-up staff costs. Because these projects are NTIA's highest priority, PTFP will continue to fund Priority 1A applications with a presumption of a 75% Federal share, the maximum amount permitted by law.

First Signal Activations without Local Origination: Priority 1B. Priority 1B status will continue to be given to first public radio signal projects which are repeaters or translators of other public radio facilities. Projects that will serve significant additional listeners with a first public radio signal through increases in tower height and/or power upgrades may be classified as Priority 1B or Priority 2 (equipment replacement) and are discussed in the section on power increase projects, below.

In recent years, the emphasis of applications received for expansion projects has changed from requests for fully-staffed stations to requests for Priority 1B repeaters and translators. Given the limited availability of Federal funds and the increasing number of applications for new repeater/translator stations, PTFP will now evaluate Priority 1B applications to determine whether or not 75% Federal funding is justified.

In general, NTIA will continue its present presumption of 75% Federal funding for Priority 1B applications which construct the applicant's first broadcast facility in a community.

An application seeking to upgrade a translator to a repeater will normally be funded by NTIA at a 50% Federal share. These applicants should be able to draw on the financial resources of the community served by the applicant's existing program service. Since the broadcaster would be building upon existing infrastructure, it also would incur reduced ineligible start-up costs. Applicants for these types of Priority 1B projects may seek a higher Federal percentage by submitting justification for the increased amount, which will be evaluated by PTFP.

Power increase projects. Sometimes a project to replace a station's transmitter or antenna results in an increase in coverage to a new, but relatively small, unserved audience. PTFP usually treats these applications with incidental coverage increases as Priority 2 applications if the equipment replacement meets the Priority 2 criteria. If an applicant requests a Priority 1B consideration of such an application, the applicant should provide documentation of a significant increase in the population that will receive a first public radio signal. PTFP will evaluate the Priority of such requests on a case-by-case basis. Since the applicant already has a facility in the community, these projects, if accepted as Priority 1B, will normally be funded by NTIA at a 50% Federal share. Applicants for these types of Priority 1B projects may seek a higher Federal percentage by submitting justification for the increased amount, which will be evaluated by PTFP.

Second (additional) Station Activations: Priority 4A. An application to provide an additional public radio signal to an area already served by public radio will continue to be placed in Priority 4A. The project must demonstrate that it addresses underserved needs in a way that significantly differentiates its services from what is already available in the proposed coverage area (see §2301.4(b)(ii)(b) of the PTFP Final Rules).

In order to extend its resources to assist in signal expansion projects, NTIA will usually fund Priority 4A additional signal projects at no more than a 50% Federal share. This is due both to the lower priority and the reduced ineligible costs of Priority 4A repeater/translator projects which build upon existing infrastructure. Applicants for Priority 4A expansion projects, including those for new fully-staffed facilities, may seek a higher Federal percentage by submitting justification for the increased amount, which will be evaluated by PTFP.

If a project to construct a second station (or other additional stations in a community) results in coverage to a new, but relatively small, unserved audience and the applicant requests Priority 1B consideration of its application, the applicant should provide documentation of a significant increase in the population that will receive a first public radio signal. PTFP will evaluate the Priority of such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Important information for all station activation applicants:

1. Coverage Maps. An applicant proposing to construct a Priority 1A, 1B or Priority 4A station activation should provide documentation, such as maps or tables, of the number and geographical location of persons who would receive a first public radio signal as well as the number and location of persons already covered by another public radio station who would receive added service as a result of the proposed project (see §2301.4(b)(1)(v) of the PTFP Final Rules).
2. Digital Transmission Equipment. An applicant proposing to construct a Priority 1A, 1B or Priority 4A station activation should address whether it requests funds to equip the new facility with digital broadcast capability. As noted below in the discussion regarding digital conversion, NTIA anticipates that it will fund digital-upgradable transmitters as the usual equipment for new facilities. Grant recipients will be able to add-at their own expense- in-band, on-channel (IBOC) exciters and additional power output modules as needed to PTFP-funded digital-upgradable transmitters. ⁽¹⁾ Applicants requesting full IBOC digital transmitters as part of their activation project must include documentation of the station's digital plan demonstrating its programming readiness to begin digital broadcasting upon receipt of PTFP funding. An application for IBOC transmission equipment also must directly address in its technical exhibits the type of analog/digital signal combining proposed. The applicant should include its plans, if any, to utilize Program Associated Data or the Supplemental Audio Channel when authorized by the FCC. NTIA reminds potential applicants that licensing fees, including licensing fees related to the use of IBOC technology, are not eligible for PTFP funds.
3. Deferred Applications. NTIA will permit those applicants whose applications for activation projects were originally submitted in FY 2003 or FY 2004, and were negotiated by PTFP, but were deferred in FY 2003 and FY 2004 from funding because of the lack of FCC authorizations, to submit FY 2005 applications requesting the same Federal percentage as their initial applications.

2. Radio station conversion to digital transmission

NTIA encourages the use of digital technologies for public radio facilities. For several years, NTIA has funded projects for digital STLs and digital audio production equipment which will assist public radio stations as they prepare for conversion to digital technologies. These digital projects are funded as equipment replacement, improvement, or augmentation projects with the presumption of a 50% Federal share unless a showing of extraordinary need for a higher percentage has been made pursuant to §2301.6(b)(ii) of the PTFP Rules. NTIA will continue to support digital non-transmission equipment for radio equipment replacement projects.

Digital conversion projects. As noted, on October 10, 2002, the FCC approved digital transmission for radio stations, although it has not yet published regulations for such stations. Unlike the digital conversion of television stations, the FCC has not established a deadline for the conversion of radio stations. In addition, there is the question of when receivers will be generally available for purchase by the public. These factors raise the issue of whether projects whose primary purpose is to begin digital radio broadcasts present compelling urgency for funding in the FY 2005 grant round.

For FY 2005, NTIA will accept applications for digital transmission equipment for public radio facilities to convert to digital broadcasting. PTFP has included a list of eligible digital equipment on its Internet site and in its printed materials. This list includes transmission and STL equipment. Applicants for digital conversion projects must include documentation of the station's digital conversion plan demonstrating its programming readiness to begin digital broadcasting upon receipt of PTFP funding. The applicant should include its plans, if any, to utilize Program Associated Data or the Supplemental Audio Channel when authorized by the FCC. Digital conversion applications must directly address in their technical exhibits the type of analog/digital signal combining proposed.

PTFP will place radio applications requesting funds to convert to digital broadcasting in the Broadcast Other category. In order to process applications for digital conversion in an orderly manner and to provide guidance to potential applicants for the FY 2005 Grant Round, NTIA will divide the Broadcast Other category into three Subpriorities. Digital television projects will be placed into Subpriorities A and B because the FCC has mandated television's digital conversion and has established a series of deadlines that television stations must meet. Digital radio conversion projects will be placed in the new Subpriority C.

Broadcast Other, Subpriority C. Radio Digital Conversion. NTIA will assign the following applications for conversion of public broadcasting facilities to advanced digital technologies at the third subpriority level within the Broadcast Other category. These applications will receive equal consideration as subpriority C.

- An application to convert radio transmission facilities to digital technologies or an application to add a digital exciter to a digital-upgradable transmitter. In order to be highly competitive, an application must document its plans to utilize Program Associated Data or the Supplemental Audio Channel, when authorized by the FCC.

- An application to convert production equipment to digital technologies for a station already broadcasting in digital or a station proposing to broadcast in digital. In order to be highly competitive, an application must document its plans to utilize Program Associated Data or the Supplemental Audio Channel, when authorized by the FCC.

- An application for additional equipment necessary to originate programming utilizing the Supplemental Audio Channel, when authorized by the FCC. In order to be highly competitive, an application must document that current equipment is inadequate to program the Supplemental Audio Channel and that the requested equipment is required.

NTIA notes that in the past it has been able to fund applications each year in most if not all of the five traditional broadcast Priorities and anticipates that it will be able to fund applications in FY 2005 in most if not all of the Subpriorities in the Broadcast Other category. The presumption of funding for radio projects in the Broadcast Other category is a 50% Federal share. NTIA has not set aside a specific amount for funding radio digital conversion projects. Funding of radio digital conversion projects will depend on the quality of applications received and the availability of funds.

Digital replacement transmitters. Regarding FY 2005 applications for replacement equipment, NTIA anticipates that it will fund digital-upgradable transmitters as the usual replacement for analog transmitters at the power level required to achieve the licensed analog ERP, if justified as urgent replacement of radio transmission equipment. Transmitter replacement applications will be placed in Priority 2 or Priority 4A, as appropriate, depending on whether the applicant provides the only public radio signal to an area (see §§2301.4(b)(2) and (4)). Grant recipients will be able to add an IBOC exciter and additional power output modules as needed to PTFP-funded digital-upgradable transmitters. The cost for the IBOC exciter and additional power output modules above the amount initially approved for the replacement transmitter will be the responsibility of the grantee for FY 2005 awards. NTIA reminds potential applicants that licensing fees, including licensing fees related to the use of IBOC technology, are not eligible for PTFP funds.

NTIA may also directly fund fully compliant IBOC digital transmitters as replacement equipment, when fully justified by the application. Applicants requesting full IBOC digital transmitters as part of equipment replacement projects must include documentation of the station's digital conversion plan demonstrating its programming readiness to begin digital broadcasting upon receipt of PTFP funding. Included should be its plans, if any, to utilize Program Associated Data or the Supplemental Audio Channel when authorized by the FCC. The request for a digital transmitter, in itself, is not sufficient justification to replace an otherwise adequate analog or composite STL. The need for the replacement of the STL should be supported by technical documentation addressing the program channel and interface requirements of the digital transmitter. Digital conversion applications must directly address in its technical exhibits the type of analog/digital signal combining proposed.

Corporation for Public Broadcasting grant funds. NTIA is aware that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) has a grant program focused on projects to convert public radio stations to digital broadcasting. In order to facilitate application processing by both CPB and PTFP, applicants for PTFP funds should clearly identify in their application whether they have applied to CPB for funding and list the equipment requested from CPB. The submission of an application to CPB will have no effect on NTIA's evaluation of the PTFP application. While NTIA will coordinate grant awards with CPB, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that no PTFP-funded equipment is funded by both grant programs.

3. Internet streaming

Given the limited availability of funds, NTIA has emphasized support of basic equipment required for a public broadcast station to serve its local audience (see the Final Rules, §2301.4, passim). NTIA continues to receive more activation and replacement applications than it can fund in any cycle. NTIA has received a few applications for equipment to provide Internet streaming. The applications have not been favorably evaluated by the reviewers or the national advisory panels.

NTIA has determined that streaming on the Internet goes beyond the provision of a basic local public broadcasting service. Until Internet streaming becomes a basic part of a station's service to its own community, therefore, NTIA will place any applications it receives for streaming equipment in Priority 5B (see §2301.4(b)(5)(ii) of the PTFP Final Rules). Priority 5B relates to equipment required for the production of "programming for regional and national use."

4. Public Radio Satellite System-related applications

The current Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) project to modernize its delivery services will retrofit all downlinks at participating stations, place two streaming decoders and two storage receivers at each station, and also will supply an automation system where necessary. According to the PRSS schedule, the modernized delivery system should be completed during the Summer 2005.

NTIA recognizes that additional stations that affiliate with the PRSS may require equipment in order to participate in the system. NTIA also recognizes that some PRSS stations may have a justified need for additional equipment to fully utilize PRSS services. All applications for PRSS-related equipment must document the need for the requested equipment to fully serve their community.

Applications for PRSS-related equipment for projects which would bring nationally distributed programing to a geographic area for the first time will be placed in Priority 1C. Other applications seeking PRSS-related equipment will be placed in Priority 2 or Priority 4A, according to the category in which the applicant otherwise qualifies for equipment replacement projects.

5. Stand-by Power Generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units.

For many years PTFP has funded stand-by power generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units for existing stations when an applicant has documented a pattern of frequent transmitter power outages accompanied by delayed restoration of power. Station activation projects have included stand-by power equipment only if justified by circumstances at the site where the transmitter was to be installed. Such projects will continue to be eligible for funding, but recent events have prompted NTIA to consider other conditions that might justify PTFP support for such equipment.

As a result, PTFP will now regard stand-by power generators and uninterruptible power supply units as essential equipment when justified as discussed in this section. Applications seeking such equipment will be placed in Priority 2 or Priority 4A, according to the category in which the applicant otherwise qualifies for equipment replacement projects. PTFP is prepared to support only the minimum level of equipment required to keep a station's signal on the air. Stand-by power for STLs may be funded if their inclusion is justified in the same way as transmitters. Emergency power for origination equipment will be considered in addition to transmission equipment when the applicant demonstrates that such equipment is integral to the emergency service it provides. Stand-by generators and UPS units to provide emergency power to entire facilities are not contemplated for PTFP support.

In order to be highly competitive, applicants must support the need for stand-by power by documenting one or more of the following conditions—
(1) the station is part of a state/regional system to which the public is referred by local authorities for information during an emergency, such as an evacuation from a storm or other event; or 
(2) the station is a relay point for the distribution of emergency information to get it to transmitters beyond its local coverage area; or
(3) the station is the sole source of emergency information in its service area in contrast to a station that is one of many in area broadcasting the EAS; or
(4) the station has experienced a pattern of frequent transmitter power outages accompanied by delayed restoration of power.

3. Television Broadcasting

Over the past five years, NTIA has awarded most of its television funds for projects to convert public television stations to digital broadcasting. The FCC's adoption of the Fifth Report and Order in April 1997 required that all public television stations begin the broadcast of a digital signal by May 1, 2003. In FY 2000, NTIA instituted several new policies regarding applications for projects to convert public television stations to digital transmission capability. NTIA continued those policies during the FY 2001, FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004 grant cycles. During these five grant cycles, PTFP was able to assist in the digital conversion of approximately 250 public television stations by funding projects which contained over 100 tower-related projects and over 200 digital transmitters and antennas, as well as STLs, intercity microwave relays, encoders, video servers, satellite interconnect, test and monitoring equipment. For FY 2004, NTIA awarded $9.4 million in funds to 30 projects which assisted public television stations in the conversion to digital technologies, and also awarded $4.3 million for 20 urgent television equipment replacement projects. The awards ranged from $22,000 to $1,853,70l. This first phase of digital conversion is almost complete, as nearly every public television station either has begun digital broadcasting or has funded its conversion and has facilities under construction.

1. Remaining digital conversion requirements and deadlines

   While the May 1, 2003, deadline has passed, NTIA believes that considerable work remains to complete the digital conversion of America's public television system. NTIA recognizes that a substantial number of digital public television stations were constructed with lower-power facilities that were intended to meet the FCC's initial digital broadcast requirement. ⁽²⁾ Many people who live within the standard coverage area of a station's analog signal (which the FCC refers to as Grade B coverage), particularly residents of rural areas, cannot receive the station's lower power digital signal.

   On August 4, 2004, the FCC adopted a Report and Order providing that digital public television stations will have until July 1, 2006, to replicate their analog Grade B coverage or to maximize their facilities. ⁽³⁾ Stations that do not increase their power by the FCC's July 1, 2006, deadline will lose digital television service protection for the uncovered area.

   The transmission facilities of those public television stations constructed at lower power must be upgraded to ensure that people viewing analog public television today will be able to receive public television from digital facilities in the future. Public television stations must begin this transmission upgrade in 2005 so their full-power digital facilities can be completed by the FCC's July 2006 deadline. NTIA funding of these transmission upgrade projects will be a high priority during the FY 2005 grant cycle. NTIA priorities for digital conversion projects during the FY 2005 grant cycle are discussed in the next section of this document–section (b) FY 2005 procedures for digital conversion and equipment replacement applications.
   
   During September 2004, the FCC adopted a Report and Order which established rules for the digital conversion of Low Power TV (LPTV) stations and translators. ⁽⁴⁾ NTIA is aware that over 800 translators and LPTV stations provide the only public television service available in many rural areas of the country. Conversion of these translators to digital broadcasting technologies will ensure the continued availability of public television to all citizens of the country. NTIA funding of digital translators during the FY 2005 grant round will enable public television licensees to begin this lengthy and costly conversion and will fulfill NTIA's legislated mandate to "extend delivery of public telecommunications services to as many citizens of the United States as possible by the most efficient and economical means." ⁽⁵⁾

   NTIA also recognizes that conversion of transmission equipment to digital technology, while important, is only part in the conversion of a public television station to digital broadcasting. NTIA believes that most stations have an immediate need to convert their basic master control support infrastructure to store, distribute and broadcast digital signals. In the longer term, many stations will also need to convert their production equipment to digital technologies so they can originate local programming at a technical level that is compatible and comparable in quality with productions available from national sources or other local stations.

   For the FY 2005 grant cycle, NTIA is revising its funding of digital television equipment to emphasize 1) projects for power increases of lower-power digital facilities, and 2) increased digital conversion of master control equipment and production equipment, and 3) digital conversion of LPTV stations and translator facilities.

2. FY 2005 procedures for digital conversion and equipment replacement applications

NTIA intends to remain responsive to the equipment replacement needs of public television stations. NTIA's balancing of equipment replacement and digital conversion applications is discussed in the following sections.

In order to assist public broadcasting licensees in converting to digital technologies, NTIA is modifying its application procedures for the FY 2005 grant round and making the following changes from the FY 2004 grant cycle. See Sections (1), (2), (4), and (6) below for the details on these changes.

(1) Subpriorities for digital conversion projects.

• Digital master control and production equipment, for either replacement or digital conversion will receive equal consideration as Broadcast Other, Subpriority B.
• Production equipment, whether for new digital facilities or as replacement equipment, will now be placed in Subpriority B of the Broadcast Other category.
• Digital conversion of translators and LPTV stations has been authorized by the FCC without a deadline. These applications will be placed in Subpriority B.

(2) Equipment eligible for digital television conversion projects and equipment replacement.

• Equipment eligible for digital television conversion and replacement has been revised in the on-line Digital TV equipment list, and includes studio and field cameras as well as digital television translators.
• Stand-by power generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units have been added to the equipment list for digital conversion and equipment replacement projects.

(3) Effective date for expenditure of local matching funds for digital television conversion projects.

• No change from FY 2004. July 1, 1999 remains the effective date in the FY 2005 grant round for the expenditure of non-Federal funds for projects in the Broadcast Other category.

(4) Funding levels for television projects.

• Fifty (50) percent Federal funding will be the general presumption for digital television conversion and television equipment replacement projects.

(5) Use of Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) matching funds.

• No change from FY 2004. NTIA has limited the use of CPB funds for the non-federal share of PTFP projects to circumstances of "clear and compelling need."

(6) Coordination with the CPB and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), U.S. Department of Agriculture.

• Applicants must clearly identify in their applications whether they have applied to CPB or RUS for funding, and list the equipment requested from CPB or RUS.
• It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that no PTFP funded equipment is also funded by another of these grant programs.

For the FY 2005 grant cycle, NTIA will adopt the following policies regarding digital television conversion and equipment replacement projects.


1. Subpriorities for digital conversion projects. In order to process applications for digital conversion in an orderly manner and to provide guidance to potential applicants for the FY 2005 Grant Round, NTIA will divide the Broadcast Other category into three Subpriorities. Digital television projects will be placed into Subpriorities A and B because the FCC has mandated television's digital conversion and has established a series of deadlines that television stations must meet. (Digital radio conversion projects will be placed in Subpriority C.) NTIA notes that in the past it has been able to fund applications each year in most if not all of the five traditional broadcast Priorities and anticipates that it will be able to do the same in FY 2005.

   The two Subpriorities for television digital conversion projects are:

Broadcast Other Subpriority A. Television Full-Power Digital Transmission Equipment. NTIA will assign the following applications for conversion of public broadcasting facilities to advanced digital technologies at the first subpriority level within the Broadcast Other category. These applications are intended to assist public television stations in meeting the FCC-imposed July 1, 2006, deadlines regarding transmission power. These projects are in the highest subpriority in order to ensure digital public television signals reach the largest number of United States residents. These applications will receive equal consideration as subpriority A.

- An application to increase the power of a digital public television station which was initially constructed at a lower power in order to meet the FCC's May 2003 requirement. The stations funded should replicate the station's comparable analog Grade B coverage, unless otherwise justified.

- An application to "maximize" the power of a digital public television station in order to increase population coverage. The applications funded will be expected to document significant population increase beyond the station's comparable analog Grade B coverage.

- An application to convert the analog transmission facilities of a public television station to digital technology.

Broadcast Other Subpriority B. Equipment Replacement Applications and Other Digital Conversion Projects. NTIA will assign the following applications at the second subpriority level within the Broadcast Other Category.

- Digital Conversion and Replacement of Master Control and Production Equipment. Conversion of a public television station's master control and production equipment is generally considered the next required step in the transition toward full digital conversion. As stations proceed to construct a digital master control, acquire studio and field production equipment, and upgrade a production control room, it is necessary that the equipment and systems be compatible and consistent with the digital progress within each station and with public television standards nationwide.

NTIA believes that many stations must replace obsolete analog equipment in order to complete their digital conversion projects, address multi-channel and High Definition broadcast distribution, and produce programs in digital Standard Definition and High Definition for national, regional or local distribution.

Some stations may proceed to construct a digital master control separate from the station's existing master control, while other stations may upgrade their existing analog master control by replacing the analog equipment. The same situation may occur with a digital production studio control room which in some cases may be newly-constructed and in other cases may be the replacement of production control room equipment in an existing control room.

For master control, production control, production studio equipment and field production equipment, the most cost-effective strategy for a station is to acquire state-of-the-art digital equipment that represents a continuation of the station's transition to full digital conversion.

Applications that propose new digital facilities and those that propose the replacement of analog equipment and systems as described above will all be placed in this Subpriority B category under digital conversion and will all receive equal consideration in this category.

Digital conversion of a public television station's production equipment will improve the station's ability to provide public service to its community. NTIA will now accept digital television production equipment as part of conversion projects and will place these applications in Subpriority B of the Broadcast Other category. In order to be highly competitive, we expect applicants to address how the equipment will be used to produce programming that is widely distributed on a regional or national basis or that will be used for the creation of High Definition programming.

- An application to convert a translator or LPTV station to digital. The FCC has authorized the digital conversion of translators and LPTV stations but has not established a deadline for this conversion. Applications for digital conversion of translators and LPTV stations will be placed in this Subpriority B category and will be funded only if the project receives a Construction Permit from the FCC.

2. Equipment eligible for digital television conversion projects and equipment replacement. For FY 2005, NTIA will support the digital equipment necessary to continue with full digital conversion and with the replacement of analog equipment in master control, production studio control, studio production, and field production. NTIA urges stations to ensure that applications for new digital facilities and for the replacement of analog equipment with digital equipment propose cost-effective projects resulting in equipment and systems that are compatible and consistent with full digital conversion.

NTIA is posting on its Internet site (www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp), a listing of eligible digital equipment identified as the Digital TV List. Printed copies of this list are also available from PTFP at the address shown in the Address section of this document. This list takes into consideration all aspects of full digital conversion and includes equipment for transmission, master control, production studio control, studio production, and field production.

All applications for new, digital facilities or for the replacement of analog equipment with digital equipment will receive equal consideration under the Broadcast Other, Subpriority B category. Any application which includes equipment replacement as a justification for the urgency criterion should submit documentation of downtime or other evidence in support of the urgency evaluation criterion as contained in §2301.17 of the PTFP Final Rules. The need to replace existing equipment in order to maintain ongoing services while also incorporating the replacement digital equipment into the station's comprehensive digital conversion plan is likely to strengthen the urgency criterion of a digital conversion application.

For applications to be competitive in this Subpriority B category, applicants are urged to include a summary of their plan for full digital conversion and how the requested equipment would be compatible and consistent with that plan. This digital conversion plan should be incorporated into the explanation that addresses the technical qualifications criterion in the application. Failure to provide information on the applicant's full digital conversion plan will place a television application at a competitive disadvantage during the evaluation of the technical qualification criterion as described in 15 CFR §2301.17 of the PTFP Rules.

Integrated Master Control Systems. Applicants may request funds for an integrated master control system during the FY 2005 grant round. NTIA will also permit grant recipients to use PTFP funds awarded for the urgent replacement of master control equipment towards the purchase of equipment compatible with integrated master control systems. Given the limited amount of funds available for award, NTIA anticipates that most master control projects funded by PTFP in FY 2005 will be for individual items of equipment, such as automation systems or a routing switcher, rather than for full integrated master control systems.

Replacement of Analog and Other Equipment. NTIA recognizes that stations may require the urgent replacement of equipment that is not part of a stations digital conversion plan. Applicants may submit Priority 2 (or Priority 4) applications when appropriate for the urgent replacement of items such as towers or microwave equipment necessary to ensure continued service. (Requests for towers or microwave equipment which are part of a station's digital conversion plan should be requested under Subpriority B, in the Broadcast Other category.)

NTIA recognizes that some stations are currently serving their primary viewers with failing analog transmitters. Although the date for shut-down of analog television broadcasting is not fixed, the FCC is working on a plan to bring the digital transition to an end in early 2009. ⁽⁶⁾ NTIA is reluctant to make major investments in analog transmission equipment at this time, but will fund analog transmitter replacements in "clear and compelling" situations where replacement is necessary to maintain public television service. In order to be highly competitive, we expect applicants for replacement of analog transmission equipment to thoroughly document the urgent need for replacement and the availability and cost of replacement parts. Applicants should also discuss the usage of the requested analog equipment after the transition to digital is complete, thereby strengthening the protection of the Federal investment in the transmitter (e.g., whether a frequency change for digital is contemplated, thereby permitting the reuse of the analog transmitter on the digital channel). Due to the approaching shut-down of analog television broadcasting, NTIA anticipates that, in future grant cycles, PTFP would fund the replacement of analog transmitters only on an emergency basis pursuant to §2301.10 of the PTFP Rules.




Stand-by Power Generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units. For many years PTFP has funded stand-by power generators and Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) units for existing stations when an applicant has documented a pattern of frequent transmitter power outages accompanied by delayed restoration of power. Station activation projects have included stand-by power equipment only if justified by circumstances at the site where the transmitter was to be installed. Such projects will continue to be eligible for funding, but recent events have prompted NTIA to consider other conditions that might justify PTFP support for such equipment.

As a result, PTFP will now regard stand-by power generators and uninterruptible power supply units as essential equipment when justified as discussed in this section. Applications seeking such equipment will be placed in Priority 2 or Priority 4A, according to the category in which the applicant otherwise qualifies for equipment replacement projects. PTFP is prepared to support only the minimum level of equipment required to keep a station's signal on the air. Stand-by power for STLs may be funded if their inclusion is justified in the same way as transmitters. Emergency power for origination equipment will be considered in addition to transmission equipment when the applicant demonstrates that such equipment is integral to the emergency service it provides. Stand-by generators and UPS units to provide emergency power to entire facilities are not contemplated for PTFP support.

In order to be highly competitive, applicants must support the need for stand-by power by documenting one or more of the following conditions —


(1) the station is part of a state/regional system to which the public is referred by local authorities for information during an emergency, such as an evacuation from a storm or other event; or 
(2) the station is a relay point for the distribution of emergency information to get it to transmitters beyond its local coverage area; or
(3) the station is the sole source of emergency information in its service area in contrast to a station that is one of many in area broadcasting the EAS; or
(4) the station has experienced a pattern of frequent transmitter power outages accompanied by delayed restoration of power.


Digital Television Translators. In September 2004 the FCC authorized the use of digital television translators and LPTV stations. Equipment required for these projects has been added to PTFP's equipment list.

3. Effective date for expenditure of local matching funds for digital television conversion projects. Within the limitations of Federal regulations, NTIA supports efforts undertaken by public television stations which bring the benefits of digital television broadcasting to their communities as quickly as possible.

At the beginning of NTIA's digital television conversion initiative in FY 2000, NTIA announced (64 FR 72225-72234) that it would permit applicants to include equipment purchased with non-federal funds after July 1, 1999, as part of their local match in a PTFP application for digital television conversion projects. This date was selected to coincide with the beginning of the 2000 fiscal year used by many state and local governments

In the FY 2004 Notice of Closing Date (67 FR 64298-64306), NTIA indicated that it anticipated that July 1, 1999, will be the effective date in the FY 2004 and FY 2005 Grant Rounds for the expenditure of non-federal funds for projects in the Broadcast Other category. For the FY 2005 grant round, we will accept equipment purchased with non-federal funds after July 1, 1999, in a PTFP application for Broadcast Other projects.

4. Funding levels for television projects. Now that nearly all public television stations have met the FCC's May 2003 deadline to begin digital broadcasting, NTIA believes that it is appropriate to resume the general presumption of 50 per cent Federal funding for television replacement, improvement and augmentation projects in accordance with §2301.6(b)(1)(ii). This returns the presumed Federal share for television digital conversion and equipment replacement projects from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. When NTIA instituted new policies in FY 2000 in order to respond to the digital conversion needs of public television, NTIA revised this policy to a presumption of 40 per cent Federal funding for television applications. The change to 40 per cent Federal funding was made to ensure that NTIA had sufficient funds available to support the digital conversion of the many public television stations, all of which had to meet the FCC deadline of May 2003. The 40 per cent level of Federal funding remained the presumption for television equipment replacement, improvement or augmentation projects during the FY 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 PTFP grant cycles. ⁽⁷⁾

   NTIA recognizes that many small stations, primarily in rural areas, will be unable to raise even a 50% local share of the funds required for their PTFP projects. NTIA has long permitted stations to request more than the standard level of Federal support upon a showing of "extraordinary need" per §2301.6(b)(ii) of the PTFP Rules.

   NTIA will continue to permit any applicant to provide justification that it has an "extraordinary need" for Federal funding up to the legal limit of 75% of eligible project costs.
   Because of the emphasis NTIA places on the extension of broadcast services to unserved areas, however, NTIA has retained the 75% level of Federal funding for applications proposing new television facilities in Priority 1 (§2301.4(b)(1)).

5. Use of Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) matching funds.Under the PTFP Rules, 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 recognizes that it will be difficult for many public television stations to raise the funds required to meet the FCC's digital broadcasting deadline. Therefore, NTIA continues its past policy that applicants may submit justification under this section for the use of CPB funds as part of their local match. Any request for the use of CPB funds must be accompanied by a statement regarding any limitations that CPB has placed on the expenditure of those funds.



6. Coordination with the CPB and the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), U.S. Department of Agriculture. NTIA is aware that CBB and RUS have grant programs focused on projects to convert public television stations to digital broadcasting. In order to facilitate application processing by the three organizations, applicants for PTFP funds must clearly identify in their application whether they have applied to CPB or RUS for funding and list the equipment requested from CPB or RUS. The submission of an application to CPB will have no effect on NTIA's evaluation of the PTFP application. While NTIA will coordinate grant awards with CPB and RUS, it is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that no PTFP funded equipment is funded by another of these grant programs.


4. Distance Learning and Nonbroadcast Projects

Since 1979, NTIA has funded nonbroadcast distance learning projects through the Special Applications category as established in §2301.4(a) of the PTFP Rules. NTIA encourages applications for innovative or unique distance learning projects which address demonstrated and substantial community needs. For fiscal year 2004, NTIA awarded $1.7 million in funds to 16 grants for distance learning projects. The awards ranged from $15,617 to $332,135.

The growth of digital technologies provides new opportunities for distance learning projects using both broadcast and nonbroadcast facilities. NTIA encourages applicants to consider the use of digital technologies in proposing unique or innovative distance learning projects for funding in FY 2005. Examples of innovative digital applications include projects (1) which use broadband technologies for distance learning, (2) which distribute educational or informational programming via Direct Broadcast Satellite technologies, (3) which provide multi-media content using the digital television transmission infrastructure and delivered through a method that is not a typical broadcast channel, or (4) which incorporate video, voice, graphics and data capabilities for online distance learning services. NTIA also encourages applicants to consider broadcast projects which use the multi-channel capacity of digital television to provide innovative distance learning projects.

All distance learning applications must address substantial and demonstrated needs of the communities being served. NTIA is particularly interested in distance learning projects which benefit traditionally underserved audiences, such as projects serving minorities, people living in rural communities, or those living in disadvantaged areas where distance learning services will provide significant educational opportunities.

NTIA recognizes that, due to the multi-channel capability of digital television, distance learning components may well be a part of a digital conversion application. NTIA will, therefore, consider such distance learning proposals under the subpriorities established in the section related to Television Broadcasting and Digital Conversion. If NTIA determines that a broadcast distance learning project is not part of a digital conversion application, NTIA will evaluate the application pursuant to §§2301.4(b)(6) and 2301.17.

The November 22, 1991, PTFP Policy Statement (56 FR 59168 (1991)) mentioned in the Application Forms and Regulations section 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 available to all PTFP applicants as part of the Guidelines for preparing FY 2005 PTFP applications.

II.    Award Information

NTIA funding assistance is in the form of Grants. Issuance of grants is subject to the availability of FY 2005 funds. Congress has passed an appropriation of $19.769 million for the PTFP. In awarding grants, NTIA will strive to maintain an appropriate balance between traditional grants and those to stations converting to digital broadcasting.

The amount of any grants awarded by NTIA will vary, depending on the approved project. For FY 2004, NTIA awarded $20.8 million in funds to 143 projects, including 74 radio awards, 52 television awards and 17 nonbroadcast awards. The radio awards ranged from $4,900 to $258,026. The television awards ranged from $22,000 to $1,853,701. The nonbroadcast awards ranged from $15,617 to $493,130.

Grants are customarily awarded with a start date of October 1.

Construction Grant award periods customarily range from one to two years. Planning Grant award periods customarily are for one year. These customary project periods may be varied based on the specific circumstances of an individual proposal.

III.   Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants

To apply for and receive a PTFP Construction or Planning Grant, an applicant must be: (a) a public or noncommercial educational broadcast station; (b) a noncommercial telecommunications entity; (c) a system of public telecommunications entities; (d) a non-profit foundation, corporation, institution, or association organized primarily for educational or cultural purposes; or (e) a state, local, or Indian tribal government (or agency thereof), or a political or special purpose subdivision of a state.

Non-profit organizations that have never received a PTFP grant must supply (1) Certified copy of their Articles of Incorporation, (2) By-laws, and (3) IRS 501(c)(3) letter. An organization that is a government agency/entity, Indian Tribe, or non-profit organization that has received a prior PTFP grant does not have to submit further documentation of eligibility, unless requested.

An applicant whose proposal requires an authorization from the FCC before it can be constructed must be eligible to receive such authorization. No award will be made until the FCC notifies NTIA that the necessary authorization has been or will be granted.

If an applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements, the application will be rejected and returned without further consideration. An applicant may request a preliminary determination of eligibility any time prior to the Closing Date.

2. Matching Funds Requirements

All PTFP grantees are required to provide local matching funds. No part of a grantee's matching share of the eligible project costs may be met with funds paid by the Federal government, except where the use of such funds to meet a Federal matching requirement is specifically and expressly authorized by the relevant Federal statute. Funds supplied to an applicant by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) may be used as a match only upon a clear and compelling showing of need.

PTFP matching requirements are summarized in the following table and explained below.

Priority	Presumed Federal Share for PTFP Projects
	Type of Project	Television	Radio
Construction Applications
1A	First Radio or TV signal in a community with local origination	75%	75%
1B	First Radio or TV signal in a community without local origination	75%	75%
	Applicant's second Radio or TV facility in a community; (e.g., Upgrade of translator to repeater; Power/coverage upgrades)	50%	50%
All other Radio and Television projects		50%	50%
All Nonbroadcast projects		50%	50%
Planning Applications
All Nonbroadcast Applications		75%	75%
Any applicant can provide justification requesting up to 75% for a Construction project or up to 100% for a Planning project.



1. Construction Applications

A PTFP Construction Grant may not, by statute, exceed 75% of the amount determined by NTIA to be the reasonable and necessary cost of the project. NTIA has set specific Federal percentages for various types of projects, as follows:

NTIA provides the same Federal funding share for radio and television Priority 1 signal expansion applications. The funding limitations for Priority 1A and 1B signal expansion applications were discussed in detail in the earlier section regarding Radio Broadcasting signal expansion. In summary, the funding presumption for Priority 1A radio and television applications is a 75% Federal share of eligible project costs. The funding presumption for Priority 1B radio and television applications is either a 75% Federal share or a 50% Federal share as explained in the earlier section.

The general presumption for funding all other radio, television, and nonbroadcast applications is a 50% Federal share.

Any applicant can provide additional justification for additional funding up to the statutory limit. The justification will be evaluated by PTFP.

2. Planning Applications

The Agency may provide up to 100% of the funds necessary for the planning of a public telecommunications construction project. The general presumption for projects to plan for a public telecommunications construction project is, however, a 75% Federal funding of eligible project costs. A showing of extraordinary need will be taken into consideration as part of the normal application evaluation process for Planning Grants of up to 100% of the total eligible project cost.

3. General Provisions



1. The total project costs of Construction Grants do not normally include the value of eligible apparatus owned or acquired by the applicant prior to the Closing Date. Inclusion of equipment purchased prior to the Closing Date will be considered on a case-by-case basis only when clear and compelling justifications are provided to NTIA. Please note, as discussed in the first section of this document regarding television applications, that NTIA will accept equipment in applications for television projects in the Broadcast Other category which was purchased with non-Federal funds after July 1, 1999. Obligating funds -- either in whole or in part -- for equipment before the Closing Date is considered ownership or acquisition of equipment. In like manner, accepting title to donated equipment prior to the Closing Date is considered ownership or acquisition of equipment.
2. If donated equipment is to be used as part of the local match, the application should include a certified appraisal from a qualified, independent engineer as to the age, fair market value, and remaining useful life of the donated items. In addition, the applicant must include a letter from the donor confirming the donation.


3. No funds from the Federal share of the total project cost may be obligated until the Grant Award Period start date. ⁽⁸⁾ If an applicant or recipient obligates anticipated Federal Award funds before the start date, the Department may refuse to offer the award or, if the award has already been granted, disallow those costs of the grant. After the Closing Date, the applicant may, at its own risk, obligate non-Federal matching funds for the acquisition of proposed equipment.

3. Other


1. Each PTFP application that is filed in a timely manner, is materially complete, and proposes an eligible project is evaluated by the six criteria described in Section V, below. The first two criteria are qualifying criteria. They are "Applicant Qualifications" and "Financial Qualifications." Applications meeting the minimum qualifications on these criteria are considered for further review.
2. There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant may submit in any one grant round.
3. Applications not funded in one grant round are deferred by NTIA and must be reactivated pursuant to §2301.9 of the PTFP Rules in order to be considered in a subsequent grant round. PTFP will retain unsuccessful FY 2004 applications through the Closing Date of the FY 2005 grant cycle. Unsuccessful applications not reactivated by the Closing Date of the next grant cycle will be destroyed.

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application Forms, PTFP Final Rules, Closing Date notification and application guidelines materials may be obtained electronically via the Internet at ntia.doc.gov/ptfp. The entire application may be downloaded from the Internet and several forms can be prepared electronically. To obtain a printed application package either (1) write to NTIA/PTFP, Room H-4625, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20230; or (2) send an email to ptfp@ntia.doc.gov; or (3) telephone (202) 482-5802; or (4) fax a request to (202) 482-2156.

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

All applicants must use the official PTFP Application Form for the FY 2005 grant cycle. This form expires on October 31, 2006. Each page of the official Application Form has the expiration date printed at the bottom and no previous versions of the form may be used. To apply for a PTFP grant, an applicant must file an original and five copies of a complete application in paper form. As noted above, the Application Form is available on the Internet and, upon request, will be provided in printed form. PTFP does not accept pre-applications.

Applicants can complete many parts of the PTFP application on the Internet using the On-Line Fillable Form found on the PTFP website. This form requires no special software. Applicants will be able to save, edit and print their forms. The software will complete all math additions, transfer and place correct figures in appropriate locations, provide help for each question, and check for common errors. The form must be printed and submitted with original signatures. PTFP does not accept facsimile or email applications.

A complete application includes the following items:

1. Part I of the Application Form, which provides general information about the applicant, the type of project submitted, estimated project cost, public broadcasting affiliations (if any), and FCC authorizations required for the project (if any). Page 1 of the form is a certification. The original application must contain an original signature from an authorized representative of the applicant organization.
2. Universal Identifier. All applicants (nonprofit, state, local government, universities, and tribal organizations) are now required to provide a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants. See the October 30, 2002 (67 FR 66177), and April 8, 2003 (68 FR 17000), Federal Register notices for additional information. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line 1-866-705-5711 or via the Internet (www.dnb.com).
3. Part II of the Application Form, "Budget Information -- Construction Grant Applicants." (Not required for Planning Grants.)
4. Part III of the Application Form, "Eligible Equipment." A listing of equipment and costs requested for a Construction Grant. (Not required for Planning Grants.)
5. Part IV of the Application Form, "Budget Information -- Planning Grant Applicants." Budget detail of requested costs for a Planning Grant. (Not required for Construction Grants.)
6. Part V, "Program Narrative," is required from all applicants. It should address the six evaluation criteria described below in Section V. There is a five-page limitation on responses to the first five criteria. (If more discussion of any point is necessary, applicants can supply additional information in an optional exhibit, cross-referenced from the Narrative.) The Narrative should be printed on only one side of the page, have one-inch margins all around, and be in 12-point Times New Roman or its actual equivalent in size. A suggested outline for preparing the Narrative is included in the online and printed versions of the application materials.
7. Exhibit A, "Financial Certification," is required from all applicants. An original signature from an authorized representative is required. An attachment is required to explain in detail how the applicant will raise the funds necessary to match the requested Federal funds; to pay any project costs ineligible for Federal funding, but required to complete the project; and, if a Construction Grant, how the applicant will have the funds necessary to maintain and operate the facilities once the project is completed. The attachment should be printed on only one side of the page, have one-inch margins all around, and be in 12-point Arial or its actual equivalent in size.
8. Exhibit B, "Inventory," is required only from Construction Grant applicants. It is an inventory of the equipment owned by the applicant that corresponds to the equipment requested in the application, or is closely associated with the requested equipment. It should include equipment owned or on order as of the application date and also equipment authorized by any prior PTFP award but not yet ordered.
9. Exhibit C, "Equipment Justification," is required only from Construction Grant applicants. It is a Narrative explaining the need for the specific equipment requested. Applicants for equipment replacement, improvement, or augmentation projects should thoroughly document the need and urgency of the equipment requested. They are encouraged to submit the following types of documentation to support the urgency of equipment replacement: copies of maintenance logs, letters documenting the unavailability of parts, independent engineers' evaluations, photographs. This Narrative should be printed on only one side of the page, have one-inch margins all around, and be in 12-point Arial or its actual equivalent in size. (Applicants should note that age alone is insufficient justification for replacing equipment.)
10. Exhibit D, "Five-Year Equipment Plan," is required from all Construction Grant applicants. The statute authorizing PTFP requires applicants to submit "a 5-year plan outlining the applicant's projected facilities requirements and the projected costs of such facilities requirements." PTFP does not specify the format to be used. This information should be printed on only one side of the page, have one-inch margins all around, and be in 12-point Arial or its actual equivalent in size.
11. Exhibit E, "Maps/Documentation of Coverage," is required only with applications proposing construction of new broadcast or distance learning facilities; or applicants claiming to be a sole-service station qualifying for Priority 2, but which have significant signal overlap with other stations in the coverage area. These applications should provide maps of the facility's coverage area and documentation of the number of people receiving service. In the case of broadcast applications, information should be provided regarding the number of people receiving "first service" or "sole service" and "added service" for those already receiving a public broadcasting signal from another station. In the case of distance learning applications, information should be provided regarding the number of people to be served by the project.
12. Exhibit F, "Letters of Support," is requested from applicants seeking funds to activate a new public radio or television station or distance learning facility. Letters should document community support for and interest in the services the new facility would provide. Letters should also be submitted from any partner mentioned in the application whose support is critical to the success of the project (e.g., landlord at proposed tower site, partners in new programming initiatives).
13. Exhibits G through Z -- Optional. These are for an applicant to use to submit materials PTFP has not requested but that the applicant believes support its application. NTIA notes that a year's worth of program guides or press clippings usually adds nothing but weight and bulk to an application. Applicants should NOT submit recordings of any kind -- tapes, cassettes, DVD's, CD's, MD's, etc.; any received will be destroyed without being considered.
14. Standard Form 424B, "Assurances -- Non-Construction Programs." This form is required from all applicants, in spite of the reference to "non-construction" programs, and must have an original signature on the second page. ⁽⁹⁾ For the convenience of applicants, a copy of SF 424B is included with the PTFP Application Form. Applicants should put the completed form in Exhibit AA of their applications.
15. Department of Commerce Form CD-511, "Certifications Regarding Debarment, Suspension and Other Responsibility Matters; Drug-Free Workplace Requirements and Lobbying." This form is required from all applicants and must have an original signature on the second page. (Applicants should note that there is a space at the top of the second page to fill in "Place of Performance"; the form is not complete if this is left blank.) For the convenience of applicants, a copy of the CD-511 is included with the PTFP Application Form. Applicants should put the completed form in Exhibit AA of their applications.
16. Standard Form LLL, "Disclosure of Lobbying Activities." This form is required from all applicants that employ lobbyists in an effort to obtain a grant. For the convenience of applicants, a copy of the form is included with the PTFP Application Form. If required, the completed form should be put in Exhibit AA of the application.
17. State Single Point of Contact. PTFP applications are subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," if the state in which the applicant is located participates in the process. Usually submission to the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) needs to be only the first two pages of the Application Form, but applicants should contact their own SPOC offices to find out about and comply with its requirements. The PTFP Internet site has a link to the Office of Management and Budget's home page which has the names and addresses of the SPOC offices. Applicants may directly access the OMB Internet site at (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html). Print copies of the SPOC list are also available from PTFP.
18. Eligibility Documents. Non-profit organizations that have never received a PTFP grant must supply (1) Certified copy of their Articles of Incorporation, (2) By-laws, and (3) IRS 501(c)(3) letter in Exhibit BB. An organization that is a government agency/entity, Indian Tribe, or non-profit organization that has received a prior PTFP grant does not have to submit further documentation of eligibility, unless requested.
19. Distribution Agreements. These are required only from Construction Grant applicants who rely on someone else's facilities to distribute programming that the applicant produces. Copies of Distribution Agreements are usually required from cable access channels, radio/TV reading services produced by non-licensee organizations, users of satellite transponder time, and production houses that do not operate stations. They are placed in Exhibit CC. (Public broadcasting entities do not need to submit agreements with PBS, NPR, PRI, etc.)
20. Department of Commerce Form CD-346 -- "Applicant for Funding Assistance." One complete set of CD-346 forms must be submitted by an applicant that is a private, non-profit corporation (e.g., community licensee, private college, etc.). The form requests information from key individuals in the applicant organization: (1) each officer (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, etc.); (2) executive director or general manager; (3) chief financial officer, business manager; and (4) project director. CD-346 forms do not have to be filed by organizations that are part of state or local governments, including state or city universities and colleges, nor by Indian tribal governments. Although not a PTFP form, a copy of CD-346 is supplied as part of the application package.
21. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Documents. These are required of all Construction Grant applicants whose projects require new FCC authorization. No grant will be awarded for a project requiring FCC authorization for construction until confirmation is received by NTIA/PTFP from the FCC that the necessary authorization has been or will be issued. In order for PTFP to evaluate the need for the equipment requested, copies of the following FCC applications (or equivalent engineering data) and licenses relevant to the project must be submitted with the PTFP application. This includes applications for permits, construction permits, and licenses already received for:



1. Construction of a broadcast station or translator.
2. Microwave facilities.
3. ITFS authorizations.
4. SCA authorizations.
5. Requests for Extension of Time.
6. Studio-to-transmitter links (STLs).
7. Remote pick-up units.
8. Satellite uplinks.



After an application has completed the review process described in the next section, Section V, Application Review Information, applicants selected for negotiation may be requested to revise and resubmit Parts I-V of the application.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number. The PTFP application form has been cleared under OMB control no. 0660-0003.

3. Submission Dates and Times

Applications for all projects are due in the PTFP Office by 6:00 p.m., EST, Tuesday, March 1, 2005. This is the Closing Date. NTIA does not accept a postmark as proof of meeting the PTFP deadline. NTIA does not accept fax or email application submissions, or weekend deliveries. Applicants must ensure that the carrier they use guarantees delivery of the application by the Closing Date. Applicants should note that all material sent via the U. S. Postal Service (including "Overnight" or "Express Mail") is subject to delivery delays of up to two weeks due to mail security procedures at the Department of Commerce. 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 and Time, 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. NTIA will not accept applications posted on the Closing Date or later and received after the deadline.

Applicants submitting applications by hand delivery are notified that all packages must be cleared by the Department of Commerce security office. Entrance to the Department of Commerce Building for security clearance is through entrance #10 on the 15th Street side of the building.

As soon as possible after the Closing Date the designated Administrative Contacts of all applicants are sent notices by email or postcard that their submissions have been received and giving the file number assigned to each application by NTIA.

Applications not received by the deadline will be returned to the applicant. NTIA will also reject and return any application that is materially incomplete, or when it finds that either the applicant or the project is ineligible for funding. Applicants will be informed of the reason for the return of any application.

4. Intergovernmental Review

PTFP applications are subject to Executive Order 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs," if the state in which the applicant organization is located participates in the process. Usually submission to the State Single Point of Contact (SPOC) needs to be only the first two pages of the Application Form, but applicants should contact their own SPOC offices to find out about and comply with its requirements. The PTFP Internet site has a link to the Office of Management and Budget's home page which has the names and addresses of the SPOC offices. Applicants may directly access the OMB Internet site at (http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/grants/spoc.html). Printed copies of the SPOC list are available from PTFP.

5. Funding Restrictions


1. Construction Grants

These grants fund only equipment plus installation costs when installation must be performed by contractors. Eligible equipment for the FY 2005 Grant Round includes the 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. No buildings are eligible for funding except for small shelters for transmission equipment.

A complete listing of equipment eligible for funding during the FY 2005 Grant Round is posted on the NTIA Internet site and printed copies are available from PTFP. The PTFP website gives sample equipment lists for all types of projects to indicate the quantities and quality level the program supports and it also lists eligible and ineligible equipment. Printed copies of the lists are available on request. NTIA generally does not fund salary expenses, including staff installation costs, and pre-application legal and engineering fees.

2. Planning Grants

Salaries are eligible expenses for all Planning Grant applications, but should be fully described and justified within the application. Planning Grants may be expended to lease office equipment, furniture, and space; purchase expendable supplies; and contract with outside consultants. Planning Grant applications cannot include the cost of constructing or operating a telecommunications facility.

3. Audit Costs

Audits must 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 $500,000 or more in Federal funds during a one-year period conduct a single audit in accordance with guidelines outlined in the circular. Other audits may be conducted by the Office of the Inspector General. Most PTFP grant recipients are divisions of state and local governments or are public broadcasting facilities, all of which routinely conduct annual audits. NTIA will, therefore, fund audit costs only in exceptional circumstances.

4. Indirect Costs

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.

6. PTFP Mailing and Delivery Address for Applications

The mailing and delivery address for PTFP is:
NTIA/PTFP
Room H-4625
U.S. Department of Commerce
1401 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20230

Hand-deliveries of applications must be made through Room 1874, located at entrance #10 on 15th Street, NW.

PTFP does not accept facsimile or electronic submissions, but does provide an On-Line Fillable Form at its Internet site, www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp. Further information on the On-Line Fillable Form is contained in part 2 of this section, Content and Form of Application Submission.

1. Award Notices

Successful applicants are sent a standard Department of Commerce Grant Award package, Form CD-450, containing all of the terms and conditions of the award. The CD-450 signed by the grants officer is the authorizing document and is sent to the applicant's designated Administrative Contact via overnight delivery service. Planning Grant awards include the final approved budget, and Construction Grant awards list the equipment approved for acquisition with grant funds. Two copies of the CD-450 must be signed and returned to the Department of Commerce Grants Office within 30 days.

Unsuccessful applicants are notified by a letter from the PTFP Director. Unsuccessful applications are designated "deferred" and may be re-activated in the next grant round. A given application can be considered in a maximum of three grant rounds.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements


1. General Conditions

During the Grant Award Period and the 10-year Federal interest period, the grantee must:

1. Continue to be an eligible organization;
2. Obtain and continue to hold any necessary FCC authorization(s);
3. Use the Federal funds for which the grant was made for the equipment and other expenditures specified in the award document, except that the grantee may substitute other items where necessary or desirable to carry out the purpose of the project if approved in advance in writing by the Department;
4. Use the facilities, and any monies generated through the use of the facilities, primarily for the provision of public telecommunications services and ensure that any use of the facilities for other than public telecommunications purposes does not interfere with the provision of the public telecommunications services for which the grant was made;
5. Not make its facilities available to any person for the broadcast or other transmission intended to be received directly by the public of any advertisement, unless such broadcast or transmission is expressly and specifically permitted by law or authorized by the FCC;
6. State when advertising for bids for the purchase of equipment that the Federal government has an interest in facilities purchased with Federal funds under this program that begins with the purchase of the facilities and continues for ten years after the completion of the project; and
7. Not use nor allow the use of the Federally funded equipment for purposes the essential thrust of which are sectarian for the useful life of the equipment even when this extends beyond the ten-year Federal interest period.


2. Payment of Federal Funds

As a general matter, the Department expects grantees to expend local matching funds at a rate at least equal to the ratio of the local match to the Federal grant as stipulated in the grant award. The Department will not make any payment under an award, unless and until the recipient complies with all relevant requirements. Additionally:

1. The Department will not make any payment until it receives confirmation that the FCC has granted any necessary authorization;
2. The Department may not make any payment under an award unless and until all special award conditions stated in the award documents that condition the release of Federal funds are met; and
3. An agreement to share ownership of the grant equipment (e.g., a joint venture for a tower) must be approved by the Department before any funds for the project will be released.


3. Protection of Equipment



1. To ensure that the Federal investment in the facilities funded under the Act will continue to be used to provide public telecommunications services to the public during the Federal interest period, NTIA may require a grantee to execute and record a document establishing that the Federal government has a priority lien on any facilities purchased with funds under the Act during the period of continuing Federal interest, and file a certified copy of the recorded lien with the Administrator ninety days after the grant award is received.
2. Grantees must maintain protection against common hazards through adequate insurance coverage or other equivalent undertakings, except that, to the extent the applicant follows a different policy of protection with respect to its other property, the applicant may extend such policy to apparatus acquired and installed under the project. The grantee shall purchase flood insurance (in communities where such insurance is available) if the facilities will be constructed in an area that has been identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood hazards.
3. Grantees may not dispose of or encumber their title or other interest in the equipment acquired under a PTFP grant during the Federal interest period.
4. Grantees must demonstrate that they have obtained appropriate title or lease satisfactory to protect the Federal interest to the site or sites on which apparatus in the project will be operated. The grantee must have the right to occupy, construct, maintain, operate, inspect, and remove the project equipment without impediment to ensure the continuity of operation of the facility; and nothing must prevent the Federal government from entering the property and reclaiming or securing PTFP-funded apparatus.


3. Reporting


1. Reports Submitted to PTFP

The following required reports may be submitted to PTFP via the Internet through the PTFP On-Line Reporting and Tracking System (PORTS) or via the submission of two paper copies.

1. Construction Schedule or Planning Timetable. Within thirty calendar days of the award date grantees must submit a construction schedule or a revised planning timetable.
2. Quarterly Performance Reports. During the Grant Award Period, grantees must submit performance reports on a calendar year quarterly basis for the periods ending March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, or any portions thereof. The reports contain a comparison of actual accomplishments during the reporting period with the goals and dates established in the Construction Schedule for that reporting period. Construction projects must also include a list of equipment purchased during the reporting period compared with the equipment authorized.
3. Planning Draft Final Report. Planning Grant recipients must submit a draft of the Final Report on their projects forty-five days before the end of the Grant Award Period for review for consistency with the goals and objectives, activities, and budget of the project.
4. Close-out documents. Full close-out documentation must be submitted within ninety days following project completion or the expiration of the Grant Award Period, whichever comes first.
1. Construction Grants. Documentation for construction grants consists of a certification of completion of the project, certification that the grantee has the necessary FCC licenses or site right required for the project, certification of insurance coverage for the funded equipment, an accurate final inventory of equipment purchased, and lien forms establishing the Federal government's priority reversionary interest in all equipment purchased.
2. Planning Grants. Documentation for planning grants consists of a certification of completion of the project, the Final Report, and a report of project expenditures. The Final Report consists of the following:
1. An executive summary, including results and conclusions;
2. Complete list of actual project expenditures that conforms and compares to the approved project budget;
3. Detailed discussion of the planning process followed;
4. Detailed discussion of the results and conclusions, including justification and support for the conclusions reached; and
5. The following appendices:
1. Copies of all studies or reports developed as part of the planning process;
2. Lists of all meetings held as part of the planning process, including an agenda and the names and titles of those who took part in each meeting; and
3. Copies of all any engineering studies and FCC applications generated by the project.
5. Annual Status Reports. Organizations that have received Construction Grants from the Public Telecommunications Facilities Program are required to submit an Annual Status Report for every grant project that is in the Federal interest period. By statute, this is the 10-year period during which the Federal government retains a reversionary interest in all equipment purchased under the project. The Federal interest period commences with the project completion date, as established by NTIA/PTFP. Annual Status Reports are due on or before April 1 in each of the ten years of a grant's Federal interest period.


2. Reports Submitted to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Grants and Agreements Management Division

Financial Status Reports (form SF-269) must be submitted in paper copy to the grants office, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Grants and Agreements Management Division (NIST/GAMD) for the six-month periods ending March 31 and September 30, or any portion thereof whether there is any financial activity or not. The reports are due no later than April 30 and October 31, respectively. A final Financial Status Report must be submitted within ninety days after the expiration of the Grant Award Period. Completed reports are submitted to NIST/GAMD, not to NTIA/PTFP

VII.    Agency Contacts

PTFP Program Officers are prepared to give technical assistance to potential applicants before the Closing Date, within available resources. They may be contacted by telephone at (202) 482-5802, by fax at (202) 482-2156, or by mail at the address given in Section IV (PTFP mailing and delivery address for applications), above. PTFP's email address is ptfp@ntia.doc.gov.

The program officers, their email addresses, and their areas of responsibility are listed below:

Lynn Chadwick lchadwick@ntia.doc.gov	Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Larry Dyer ldyer@ntia.doc.gov	Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
Robert Sestili rsestili@ntia.doc.gov	American Samoa, California, Guam, Hawaii, Marianas Protectorate; Distance Learning and Non-Broadcast projects from all states
Walter Sheppard wsheppard@ntia.doc.gov	Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, Wisconsin
Sonia Warriner swarriner@ntia.doc.gov	Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia
Applicants may also contact:
William Cooperman wcooperman@ntia.doc.gov	Director.
Charles Mellone cmellone@ntia.doc.gov	Chief Engineer. Equipment questions from all applicants.
Christopher Weiss cweiss@ntia.doc.gov	Contact for electronic access problems.

Frequently Asked Questions about PTFP grants and applications are answered online at www.ntia.doc.gov/ptfp and in printed application materials.

Questions regarding Department of Commerce grant policies may be directed to:

Joyce Bringham               NIST/GAMD Grants Officer
Joyce.bringham@nist.gov

VIII. Other Information

1. NTIA Policies on Procedural Matters

Based upon NTIA's experience during the PTFP 2003 Grant Round, NTIA has determined that it is in the best interest of NTIA and applicants to continue recent policies regarding three procedural matters. The following policies are applicable only to the FY 2004 PTFP Grant Round and resulting awards.

1. Applications Resulting From Catastrophic Damage or Emergency Situations.
   
   Section 2301.10 provides for submission of applications resulting from catastrophic damage or emergency situations. NTIA would like to clarify its implementation of this provision. For FY 2004 PTFP applicants, when an eligible broadcast applicant suffers catastrophic damage to the basic equipment essential to its continued operation as a result of a natural or manmade disaster, or as the result of significant equipment failure, and is in dire need of assistance in funding replacement of the damaged equipment, it may file an emergency application for PTFP funding at any time. NTIA limits this request to equipment essential to a station's continued operation such as transmitters, towers, antennas, STLs or similar equipment which, if the equipment failed, would result in a complete loss of service to the community.
   
   When submitting an emergency application, the applicant should describe the circumstances that prompt the request and should provide appropriate supporting documentation. NTIA requires that applicants claiming significant failure of equipment will document the circumstances of the equipment failure and demonstrate that the equipment has been maintained in accordance with standard broadcast engineering practices.
   
   NTIA will grant an award only if it determines that (1) the emergency satisfies this policy, and (2) the applicant either carried adequate insurance or had acceptable self-insurance coverage.
   
   Applications filed and accepted for emergency applications must contain all of the information required by the Agency application materials and must be submitted in the number of copies specified by the Agency.
   
   NTIA will evaluate the application according to the evaluation criteria set forth in §2301.17(b). The PTFP Director takes into account program staff evaluations (including the independent reviewers) the availability of funds, the type of project and broadcast priorities set forth at §2301.4(b), and whether the applicant has any current NTIA grants. The Director presents recommendations to the Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications (OTIA) Associate Administrator for review and approval. Upon approval by the OTIA Associate Administrator, the Director's recommendation will be presented to the Selecting Official, the NTIA Administrator. The NTIA Administrator makes final award selections taking into consideration the Director's recommendation and the degree to which the application fulfills the requirements for an emergency award and satisfies the program's stated purposes set forth at §2301.1(a) and (c).
   
   
2. Service of Applications
   
   FY 2005 PTFP applicants are not required to submit copies of their PTFP applications to the FCC, nor are they required to submit copies of the FCC transmittal cover letters as part of their PTFP applications. NTIA routinely notifies the FCC of projects submitted for funding which require FCC authorizations.
   
   FY 2005 PTFP applicants for distance learning projects are not required to notify every state telecommunications agency in a potential service area. Many distance learning applications propose projects which are nationwide in nature. NTIA, therefore, 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 notify the state telecommunications agencies in the states in which they are located.
   
   
3. FCC Authorizations For the FY 2004 PTFP Grant Round, 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.
   
   For FY 2004 PTFP applications, since there is no potential for terrestrial interference with Ku-band satellite uplinks, applicants may submit applications to the FCC for Ku-band satellite uplinks 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.
   
   For FY 2004 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 its experience, are usually limited to authorizations such as those for microwave interconnections or satellite uplinks.
   
   As noted above, for FY 2004 PTFP applications, NTIA does not require that the FCC applications 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, (including a digital broadcasting facility) or translator, (2) microwave facilities, (3) ITFS authorizations, (4) SCA authorizations, and (5) requests for extensions of time.
   
   For those applicants whose projects require authorization by the FCC, information about FCC filing procedures can be found on the Internet at: www.fcc.gov.
   
   
2. Department of Commerce Procedural Matters
   
   The Department of Commerce Pre-Award Notification of Requirements for Grants and Cooperative Agreements contained in the Federal Register notice of December 30, 2004 (69 FR 78389), is applicable to this solicitation.
   
   
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FOOTNOTES

1. The FCC selected the hybrid AM and FM IBOC systems tested by the National Radio Systems Committee as de facto standards for interim digital operation. See Digital Audio Broadcasting Systems and Their Impact on the Terrestrial Radio Broadcast Service, First Report and Order, MM Docket No. 99-325, 17 F.C.C. Rcd. 19990 (2002).

2. For example, the FCC permits noncommercial digital television stations to provide a 41 dbu noise-limited signal over their city of license until December 31, 2005, after which they must provide a 48 dbu signal. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting established a special grant program, the Digital Universal Service Fund, which supported the construction of 49 lower power stations.

3. See Second Periodic Review of the Commission's Rules and Policies Affecting the Conversion to Digital Television, Report and Order, MD Docket No. 03-15, RM 9532, FCC 04-192, 2004 FCC Lexis 5129,*4 (2004). Public television stations had to notify the FCC by November 5, 2004, if they intend their digital channel to replicate their analog Grade B service or if they intended to "maximize" their coverage area, i.e., to increase the power of their digital signal beyond that which would only replicate their analog Grade B coverage. The Report also established July 1, 2006, as the deadline for public television stations to complete their replication or maximization.

4. Amendment of Parts 73 and 74 of the Commission's Rules to Establish Rules for Digital Low Power Television, Television Translator, and Television Booster Stations and to Amend Rules for Digital Class A Television Stations, Report and Order, MB Docket No. 03-185, 19 F.C.C. Rcd. 19331 (2004). In the Report and Order, the FCC also declined to authorize on-channel digital boosters.

5. 47 U.S.C., 390(1).

6. Testimony of Michael K. Powell, Chairman, Federal Communications Commission, before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, United States Senate, September 8, 2004 (available at http:/!commerce.senate.gov/hearings/testimony.cfm?id=1300&wit_id=1943).

7. Policies in effect during the FY 2000 - FY 2004 grant rounds also provided a 3-point bonus for applicants that requested only a 25% Federal share and a 67% Federal share for stations qualifying for hardship funding. With the return to the presumption of a 50% Federal share, the 25% and 67% levels are no longer in effect.

8. PTFP considers money to be obligated when the applicant enters into any sort of binding commitment to spend the money. This means the formal acceptance of a bid offering or the issuance of a purchase order.

9. Another Standard Form, 424A "Assurances for Construction Programs," is used for projects to construct highways, airports, etc.