Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program - Program Guidelines - July 2025

Sep 12, 2026

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Guidelines for Pennsylvania set out how broadband planning and infrastructure deployment will be funded and managed under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. The guidelines explain purpose, application procedures, eligibility for applicants, project areas, technologies, and costs, plus grant award amounts and fund access processes. They specify program requirements including matching funds, planning and permitting, network architecture standards, satellite and unlicensed fixed wireless service requirements, prevailing wage, affordability options, letters of credit, and risk management. Evaluation and scoring criteria, reporting and required attachments, and supplementary appendix options are also provided for applicants seeking BEAD funding.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages25

Reading Time9 min

AccessFree to download

Section I – Statement of Purpose

A. Introduction

B. Purpose

C. Updated Federal Policy Notice

Section II – Application Procedures

A. Applying for BEAD

B. Application Curing

C. Application Scoring

D. Award and Notifications

E. Application Assistance

F. Application Timeline and Key Deadlines

Section III – Eligibility

A. Eligible Applicants

B. Eligible Project Areas

C. Eligible Projects

D. Eligible Technologies

E. Eligible Project Costs

Section IV – Grants

A. Award Amounts

B. Process for Accessing Funds

Section V – Program Requirements

A. Matching Funds

B. Planning and Permitting Requirements

C. Cost Reasonableness in Priority Broadband Projects

D. Network Architecture Standards

E. Low Earth Orbit Satellite Service Requirements

F. Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Service Requirements

G. Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act

H. Affordability / Low-Cost Service Option

I. Letters of Credit

J. Risk Management Plans for Infrastructure Reliability and Resiliency

K. Other Requirements

Section VI – Application Evaluation and Scoring Criteria

A. Application Evaluation

B. Scoring Criteria for Priority Broadband Projects

Section VII – Program Inquiries

Appendix I – Letter of Credit Waiver Option

A. Use of Credit Unions

B. Use of Performance Bonds

C. Reduction of LOC/Performance Bonds upon Completion of Milestones

D. Alternative Initial LOC or Performance Bond Percentage

Appendix II – Reporting Requirements

Appendix III – Required Application Attachments

Appendix IV – Period of Performance and Federal Interest Period

Appendix V – Glossary of Terms

Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program PROGRAM GUIDELINES July 2025 Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Honorable, Uri Monson, Chairman Brandon Carson, Executive Director Section I – Statement of Purpose ................................................1 A. Introduction ..............................................................1 B. Purpose ................................................................ 1 C. Updated Federal Policy Notice ...............................................1 Section II – Application Procedures ..............................................2 A. Applying for BEAD ........................................................2 B. Application Curing .........................................................2 C. Application Scoring ........................................................2 D. Award and Notifications ....................................................2 E. Application Assistance .....................................................3 F. Application Timeline and Key Deadlines ........................................3 Section III – Eligibility ..........................................................3 A. Eligible Applicants .........................................................3 B. Eligible Project Areas ......................................................4 C. Eligible Projects ..........................................................4 D. Eligible Technologies ......................................................5 E. Eligible Project Costs ......................................................5 Section IV – Grants ............................................................6 A. Award Amounts ...........................................................6 B. Process for Accessing Funds ................................................6 Section V – Program Requirements ...............................................6 A. Matching Funds ..........................................................6 B. Planning and Permitting Requirements ........................................7 C. Cost Reasonableness in Priority Broadband Projects .............................7 D. Network Architecture Standards ..............................................7 E. Low Earth Orbit Satellite Service Requirements ..................................8 F. Unlicensed Fixed Wireless Service Requirements ................................8 G. Pennsylvania Prevailing Wage Act ...........................................9 H. Affordability / Low-Cost Service Option .......................................10 I. Letters of Credit ..........................................................11 J. Risk Management Plans for Infrastructure Reliability and Resiliency ................11 K. Other Requirements .....................................................11 Section VI – Application Evaluation and Scoring Criteria ............................13 A. Application Evaluation ....................................................13 B. Scoring Criteria for Priority Broadband Projects ................................13 Section VII – Program Inquiries .................................................14 Appendix I – Letter of Credit Waiver Option .......................................15 A. Use of Credit Unions .....................................................15 B. Use of Performance Bonds ................................................15 C. Reduction of LOC/Performance Bonds upon Completion of Milestones ..............15 D. Alternative Initial LOC or Performance Bond Percentage .........................16 Appendix II – Reporting Requirements ...........................................17 Appendix III – Required Application Attachments ..................................18 Appendix IV – Period of Performance for LEO Capacity Grantsand Federal Interest Period for Broadband Infrastructure Grants .....................19 Appendix V – Glos

FAQs

What is the purpose of the BEAD program guidelines for Pennsylvania?

The guidelines define how Pennsylvania will enable broadband planning, deployment, mapping, and related activities. They also outline eligibility and the procedures to apply for and receive BEAD funding for constructing high-speed broadband infrastructure.

What are the key application procedures and deadlines applicants must follow?

Applicants must follow the BEAD application process, including application curing and the scoring process. The guidelines also describe award and notifications, application assistance, and the application timeline with key deadlines.

What requirements apply to BEAD-funded projects, including funding, standards, and risk management?

Requirements include matching funds, planning and permitting obligations, cost reasonableness for priority broadband projects, and network architecture standards. Additional requirements cover low earth orbit satellite and unlicensed fixed wireless service, Pennsylvania prevailing wage, affordability options, letters of credit, and risk management plans for reliability and resiliency.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Emma Wilson