Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program
The BEAD Program was established by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). It represents a $42 billion national investment to expand high-speed internet access across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. DC has been provided $100 million in BEAD funding, which the DC SBO is responsible for administering, including selecting subgrantees and managing the award process. ​​
Current Status
NTIA approved DC’s BEAD Final Proposal in March 2026. DC SBO is awaiting further guidance. We will share updates as new information becomes available.
DC State Broadband Office (DC SBO)
BEAD Final Proposal
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Final Proposal Data Files:
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Final Proposal Attachments:
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DC BEAD Program Monitoring Plan​
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EHP Plan​​​
Public Comment Period ended on October 23, 2025.
DC'S BEAD Timeline
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December 8, 2022 – NTIA awards DC $5 million in BEAD Planning Grant Funds
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November 16, 2023 – Public comment period opens for DC’s BEAD Initial Proposals Volume 1 and 2
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December 21, 2023 – DC SBO submits draft BEAD Initial Proposals to NTIA
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April 8, 2024 – NTIA approved DC’s BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 1
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May 9, 2024 – NTIA approved DC’s BEAD Initial Proposal Volume 2
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December 10, 2024 – DC’s BEAD Challenge Process completed
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February 7, 2025 – DC opens the BEAD Deployment Pre-Application for ISPs to bid on high-speed internet infrastructure deployment
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February 21, 2025 – DC SBO opens the BEAD Non-Deployment Pre-Application
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March 23, 2025 - DC BEAD Non-Deployment Pre-Application Closed
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July 10, 2025 - DC BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Webinar
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July 11, 2025 – DC BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Round Opened
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July 27, 2025 –DC BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Round Closed
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September 18, 2025 - DC BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Round 2 Webinar
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September 19, 2025 - DC BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Round 2 Opens
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October 5, 2025 - DC BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Round 2 Closes
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October 6, 2025 - DC SBO Reviewing BEAD Deployment Benefit of the Bargain Applications
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October 17, 2025 - DC SBO notifies DC BEAD Deployment Sub-Awardees
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October 17, 2025 - Public Comment Period Begins
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October 23, 2025 - Public Comment Period Ends
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October 31, 2025 - DC SBO Submits Final Proposal to NTIA and is awaiting approval
The DC State Broadband Office (SBO) is proud to share our progress on closing the digital divide.
View our Volume 1 & Volume 2 Initial Proposals
under the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
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