Community Anchor Institution Schools, libraries, medical and healthcare providers, public safety entities, community colleges and other institutions of higher education, and other community support organizations and agencies that provide outreach, access, equipment and support services to facilitate greater use of broadband service by vulnerable populations, including low-income, the unemployed, and the aged.
State or Municipality Any state, territorial or local governmental subdivision thereof wishing to partner with or serve as a resource to other applicants, as well as the government of the District of Columbia.
Community Organization Smaller community-serving organizations without the resources to be a prime applicant or community anchor institution but possessing unique or geographically specific resources that might enhance larger grant proposals.
Law Enforcement or Public Safety Any state or local governmental organization dedicated to the response to crisis, disaster or crime. This may include state or local police, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics, fire departments and other various first responder organizations.
Small Business A small business concern is a firm that, together with its controlling interests and affiliates, satisfies the Small Business Administration’s size standards for the applicant’s industry classification, or is a broadband service or infrastructure provider with average gross revenues not exceeding $40 million for the preceding three years.
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Small Business Concern means a firm, together with its controlling interests and affiliates, with average gross revenue not exceeding $40 million for the preceding three years, and which meets the definition of a socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern under the Small Business Act. To qualify as a SDB, the applicant must be a small business concern for which one or more socially and economically disadvantaged individuals or an economically disadvantaged Indian tribe or Native Hawaiian organization, control the small business concern’s management and daily business operations and unconditionally own 51 percent of the business. The Small Business Act defines socially disadvantaged individuals as “those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias because of their identity as a member of a group without regard to their individual qualities,” and economically disadvantaged individuals as “those socially disadvantaged individuals whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same business area who are not socially disadvantaged.”
Technology Vendor Any manufacturer or provider of broadband-related hardware or software. Technology vendors who wish to partner with service providers and other applicants should indicate core competencies and geographic or scale limitations.
Tech/Telecom Expert Any consultant, engineer or third-party advisory organization with the skills or resources necessary to construct a business plan, conduct network analysis and technical feasibility assessments, assist with the development, completion or implementation of BIP or BTOP proposals, or otherwise enhance partners’ applications.
Tribal Entity or Organization Indian tribe that has the meaning given that term in Section 4(e) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act, which defines "Indian tribe" as any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including an Alaska Native Village Corporation or Regional Corporation (as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians. Federally Recongnized Tribal Entities.
Venture Capital Firm or organization with funds made available to other organizations for investment in research and development, specifically in the technology and telecommunications space when used here. Often venture capital firms assume the risk associated with investing in smaller, less-established companies or innovative projects in exchange for a stake in those companies that succeed.
Nonprofit/Foundation Non-applicant, non-profit organization interested in assisting with the development, completion or implementation of BIP or BTOP proposals, or otherwise enhancing applicants’ proposals. This group would generally work with anchor institutions or community groups to provide resources those otherwise innovative organizations lack; however there may be a role for nonprofit organizations to work with any of the categories on this list.