Frequently Asked Questions
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Overview
Explore some frequently asked questions regarding the Office of Broadband Access and Expansion and the programs that it manages. ARPA/Pilot Program FAQs
ARPA/PILOT PROGRAM FAQS Q: What Prevailing Wages apply to the APRA/Pilot Program Grants? A: The APRA/Pilot Program Grant Agreements with non-tribal entities, in Section R.1, require that all grantees certify they are paying wages not less than those determined by the Davis-Bacon Act or the Public Works Minimum Wage Act. You can search for previously issued Davis-Bacon Act Wage Determinations online at: https://sam.gov/content/wage-determinations. Wage tables for the PWMWA can be found online at: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/public-works. Q: At what point in the project does the 10% retainage apply? A: The 10% retainage should occur at the end of the project. OBAE will create a process through which grantees may officially request an early release of retained funds, though granting such requests will be left to OBAE’s discretion. Q: When should we apply the Matching funds? A: Matching funds should be applied throughout the APRA/Pilot Program projects. Matching contributions should be included as an itemized line item on all requests for reimbursements to demonstrate the grantee’s compliance with the matching requirements in the grant agreement. Q: What are the procurement requirements for APRA/Pilot Program Grants? A: As a federally-funded project, federal procurement requirements typically apply. However, U.S. Treasury waived the procurement requirements for the ARPA-funded programs. Grantees may either utilize state procurement, or an internal procurement process. However, if utilizing an internal procurement process, grantees must provide a complete copy of the procurement policies and procedures the grantee is utilizing to OBAE. GWEP FAQs
GWEP FAQS
Q: Can I apply for GWEP funding? A: Eligibility for GWEP funding is set by law. GWEP awards can only be issued to tribal units, local government units (such as a county, municipality, township, or village), electric cooperative, or telephone cooperative. Q: Is the GWEP grant award agreement negotiable? A: No. All GWEP awardees receive the same base grant agreement, with a unique Scope of Work tailored to the project. Awardees should work with their project manager regarding the content of the scope of work. The legal or “boilerplate” provisions of the grant agreement will not be altered for individual awardees. Q: Can both a county, and a city in that county, apply for separate GWEP awards? A: Yes! All New Mexico tribal units or local government units are eligible for GWEP. If both a tribe, and chapterhouse of that tribe, or county, and city in that county, apply for GWEP, OBAE will work with the respective applicants to ensure there is no overlap in the projects. Connect New Mexico Fund FAQs
CONNECT NEW MEXICO FUND FAQS Q: What Prevailing Wages apply to the Connect New Mexico Grants? A: Connect New Mexico is a solely state funded project. Non-tribal awardees must comply with the New Mexico Public Works Minimum Wage Act. Wage tables for the PWMWA can be found online at: https://www.dws.state.nm.us/public-works. Budgets from awardees should reflect PWNMA prevailing wages. Q: Why do funds need to be spent by June 30, 2025? A: The Connect New Mexico Fund is a non-reverting fund. However, the current legislative appropriation only allows OBAE to spend funds through June 30, 2025. Though OBAE will request an extension on expenditures in the 2025 legislative session, there is no guarantee the legislature will grant this request. Q: When should we apply matching funds for Connect New Mexico funded projects? A: Matching funds should be applied at the end of the Connect New Mexico projects. This will assist in the expenditure of allocated funds during the current fiscal year. |
