ConnectMT Broadband Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

ISP

Expenses incurred prior to execution of the grant agreement are not eligible for reimbursement (ConnectMT Application Guide Section 6.2 and Grant Agreement). Any procurement of contractors must comply with federal procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR 200.318 – 2 CFR 200.327.

Prior to executing the grant agreement, subrecipients may consider reviewing the federal procurement requirements and drafting applicable solicitation documents, so they may be ready to advertise after the grant agreement is executed.

CFR Guidance Links

Expenses incurred prior to execution of the grant agreement are not eligible for reimbursement (ConnectMT Application Guide Section 6.2). Any procurement of materials must comply with federal procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR 200.318 – 2 CFR 200.327.

Prior to executing the grant agreement, subrecipients may consider reviewing the federal procurement requirements. Specifically, the methods of procurement outlined in 2 CFR 200.320. Purchases in excess of the $250,000 (simplified acquisition threshold) will require a formal procurement process.

CFR Guidance Links

Per the ConnectMT guidelines and the grant agreement, costs prior to the grant agreement will not be reimbursed. 

Costs incurred that fail to comply with the requirements of the Build America, Buy America Act provisions will not be eligible for reimbursement.

CFR Guidance Links

Any procurement of contractors must comply with federal procurement standards outlined in 2 CFR 200.318 – 2 CFR 200.327.

All procurements must take affirmative steps to solicit small, minority and women owned enterprises (2 CFR 200.321), comply with the domestic preferences for procurements (2 CFR 200.322) and Build America, Buy America Act and be supported by a cost or price analysis that demonstrates costs incurred are reasonable (2 CFR 200.404).
The methods of procurement vary based on the dollar value of the anticipated contract outlined in 2 CFR 200.320.

  • Micro-purchases ($10,000 threshold): Micro-purchases may be awarded without soliciting competitive price or rate quotations. Price reasonableness should be documented based on research, experience, purchase history, or other information.
  • Small purchases (> $10,000 and < $250,000): Small purchases may be awarded by soliciting price or rate quotations from an adequate number of qualified sources (generally at least three).
  • Formal Procurements (> $250,000): Purchases greater than $250,000 (current simplified acquisition threshold) must be completed through a formal procurement. A brief overview of a formal procurement:
    • Bids/proposals must be requested publicly.
    • The evaluation criteria and their relative importance must be included in the request.
    • Subrecipients must have a written method for conducting technical evaluations of the proposals received and making selections.
    • Contracts must be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous based on price and the other pre-established evaluation criteria.
    • A cost or price analysis will need to be documented (2 CFR 200.324)

Note, after completing the bidding process, subrecipients must ensure contracts include the required contract provisions (2 CFR 200.327) and the applicable bonding requirements (2 CFR 200.326).

Competitive Bidding Process One Pager

The grant is a subaward of federal funds and must comply with federal procurement requirements. Costs incurred that do not meet the requirements in the grant agreement, U.S. Treasury guidance and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) will not be eligible for reimbursement.

CFR Guidance

No waivers will be provided by the Department of Administration. Costs incurred that do not meet the requirements in the grant agreement, U.S. Treasury guidance and Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) will not be eligible for reimbursement.
The Grant Agreement will include a Final Statement of Work that reaffirms the commitments made in the ConnectMT application. An awarded applicant will be given the opportunity to clarify certain project attributes such as the Project Schedule. However, an awarded applicant will not be able to change any project attributes that impacted the application scoring.
Generally, the contract will not be changed once executed. If subrecipients believe a change may be necessary, please contact the ConnectMT Program staff at Connectmt.mt.gov or call 406-444-4099.

The grant program requires that projects incorporate strong labor standards. The Treasury believes using these practices in construction projects may help to ensure a reliable supply of skilled labor that will minimize disruptions, such as those associated with labor disputes or workplace injuries.

Examples of strong labor standards include project labor agreements and community benefits agreements that offer wages at or above the prevailing rate and include local hire provisions.
Self-certification of the Davis-Bacon Act and a Project Labor Agreement are optional labor standards. However, if subrecipients elect not to implement these practices for their project, they will be required to report enhanced labor information and certifications when completing periodic reporting and submitting requests for reimbursement for labor costs.

The enhanced labor information includes, but may be subject to change in Treasury guidance:

  • If not self-certifying Davis-Bacon Act compliance
    • Number of contractors and sub-contractors working on project
    • Number of employees on the Project hired directly and hired through a third party
    • Wages and benefits of workers on the Project by classification
    • Whether wages are at rate less than prevailing
  • If there is not a Project Labor Agreement
    • How the Subrecipient will ensure the Project has ready access to a sufficient supply of appropriately skilled labor to ensure high-quality construction
    • How the Subrecipient will minimize risks of labor disputes and disruptions
    • How the Subrecipient will provide a safe and health workplace, including descriptions of safety training, certification and/or licensure requirements
Self-certification of the Davis-Bacon Act and a Project Labor Agreement are optional labor standards. However, if subrecipients elect not to implement these practices on their project, they will be required to report enhanced labor information and certifications when completing periodic reporting and submitting requests for reimbursement for labor costs.

Grant terms and conditions were established by the Treasury as a condition of the federal funding.

Costs incurred that fail to comply with the requirements of the Build America, Buy American Act will not be eligible for reimbursement.

Self-certification of the Davis-Bacon Act and a Project Labor Agreement are optional labor standards. However, if subrecipients elect not to implement these practices on their project, they will be required to report enhanced labor information and certifications when completing periodic reporting and submitting requests for reimbursement for labor costs.

Additional training resources will be provided at a later date. please contact Department of Administration Broadband Program staff at 406-444-3104 for further assistance.
Failure to comply with relevant environmental regulations may jeopardize funding eligibility. You are required to demonstrate your compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. For example, you must provide the Department with documentation supporting DEQ concurrence and required permits were obtained prior to initiating construction. You will also be required to report any environmental or historical considerations identified during construction to the Department in a timely manner.

Once your request for reimbursement (RFR) is submitted, it will be reviewed by the Department of Administration. The Department may request additional information or supporting documentation from you before approving the RFR.

Once the RFR is approved, payment should be issued within 30 business days.

Reimbursement requests may be submitted on a monthly basis.

The Department will provide additional guidance on the request for reimbursement process. Generally, requests for reimbursement will need to be supported with sufficient documentation for the Department to evaluate that costs were incurred consistent with grant terms and conditions. Example documentation includes, but is not limited to:

  • Procurement documentation, including documentation required by 2 CFR 200.320, cost analysis, and contracts/agreements
  • Invoices supported by sufficient detail, including timesheets (as applicable) equipment use logs and receipts for reimbursable's (with no mark-up)
  • Proof of payment
  • If labor claimed, timesheets with supporting documentation for rate claimed; compliance certification for labor standards
  • Status of funds/budget tracking spreadsheet

Notify the Department of Administration about significant anticipated delays as soon as possible and submit a revised Project Schedule for approval.

Due to the State’s deadline to expend the grant funds, projects must be completed and all requests for reimbursement submitted to the Department by September 30, 2026.

Further, as noted in the grant agreement, all cost overruns will be the responsibility of the subrecipient.

Site visits will be performed by the Department or its contractors, including during the verification of project completion. Frequency of other site visits will be determined on a periodic basis considering project risks.

Awards

Unserved areas where at least 10% of the delivery points (locations) do not currently have access to broadband service of at least 25 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed with low latency. 

Underserved areas that have no access to broadband service with download speeds greater than 100 Mbps and upload speeds greater than 20 Mbps with low latency.

ConnectMT defines populations as underserved if available internet connection is under 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload and defines unserved if available internet connection is under 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload.  It is the quality of internet you get at your home, business, or farm.  If you have internet to your home, you can test your current speed by using a “speed-test” available on any internet search site. 
Eligible applicants for this program are considered to be nongovernment entities with a demonstrated experience in providing broadband service or other communications services to end-user residential or business customers in the state.  This includes incorporated business or partnerships, Montana nonprofit organizations, limited liability companies, corporations, or cooperative entities organized for the purpose of expanding broadband access. A government entity is only eligible to apply as a partner with a qualified non-governmental entity. 
Under the ARPA tab of the website, click “ARPA Map” to view the areas currently served, underserved, and unserved in Montana.

The ConnectMT program defines a frontier area as an area that lacks connectivity services of less than or equal to 4 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload.

An ‘unserved area’ is defined by the program as an area that lacks access to low latency service of at least 25 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.

ConnectMT awarded 61 projects.
Federal funds can only be used for the match portion if specifically designated for broadband deployment.
Capital expenses are Dollar cost to build the network asset (large upfront cost). Can include material, land, labor for construction and connection, engineering, permitting, upgrades and replacements, and construction equipment. Non capital expenses (Operational Expenses) are day-to-day (ongoing) cost to run and maintain a network to provide services. Can include power, network maintenance, middle mile and/or core Internet transit fees (if any), sales and marketing, customer support, rent, and other business operation expenses.
Eligible project costs include terrestrial capital expenses directly related to a qualified broadband project, including design, construction, engineering, make readies, permitting expenses and validation of service. Maintenance or operating expenses related to the project do not qualify as an eligible expense.
Ineligible expenses include expenses prior to the award contract execution. ConnectMT/Broadband Program cannot provide reimbursement for any expenses incurred prior to the date the allocation contract is executed. Any such expenses may nt be included as allocation eligible expenses: video or voice services, advertising, general operations, non-broadband related liabilities of the applicant and marketing activities.

General

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill signed into law in March 2021. The Montana Legislature dedicated $270 million in ARPA funding towards the first round of ConnectMT grants and received 80 applications totaling more than $720 million -61 projects were selected and awarded funds.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), signed into law in November 2021, provides $550 billion in federal spending with a focus toward infrastructure. Under IIJA, Montana will receive a minimum of $100 million to improve broadband coverage across the state. Additionally, under IIJA, 286,000 or 27% of people in Montana will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
The higher the internet speed to your home or business the faster your are able to download and upload.
Under the ARPA tab of the website, click “ARPA Map” to view the areas currently served, underserved, and unserved in Montana.
On the ConnectMT website, click the red “Contact Us” button to either call or email your questions. Additional FAQs are located under this section.
The Federal Communications Commission's household broadband guide provides the minimum upload and download speeds needed for light, moderate, and high household internet use. 
The 2021 Legislature passed and Governor Gianforte signed SB297, creating the ConnectMT Act. ConnectMT created Montana's first broadband program to award grants to internet service providers to improve broadband access across the state.

Map

The map will be updated periodically to reflect new awards of federal funding, as well as new construction to served locations throughout the state. Access the map.

Please check back on the ConnectMT homepage for announcements on any further mapping updates."
We have had some data reported with maximum speeds at 25/3 which is less than the benchmarks of 25/10 and 100/20 listed in the state statute (please refer to Map Description for more details). If nothing was reported to inform the map, it is assumed that it is “frontier” if we have no better data for that location.
The data that we have for broadband coverage is based on information reported by broadband providers that were able to provide this information for the first version of the map. This information was provided as either a boundary (GIS file – shapefile) or as an address list (CSV) that was matched to the locations on the map.If we have missed a served location and listed it as unserved, etc. then applicants may provide that updated list in their challenge process to the State so that we can include it in the review process.

Archive

Yes. There are a total of 15 points possible. Applicants with matching funds contributed from tribal/local government/school districts can receive up to 5 points; the remaining 10 points will depend on the size of the requested funding from the state and how much funding in match the applicant is contributing to the eligible project costs.
Eligible applicants must provide documentation that they are registered to do business in the state as an incorporated business or partnership, a Montana non-profit organization, a Montana cooperative association, or a Montana limited liability corporation and are in good standing.  A certificate of good standing can be obtained from the Montana Secretary of State.
The purpose of the award allocations is to deploy both middle-mile and last-mile broadband infrastructure to residential and business locations in unserved and underserved areas within Montana. Award allocations can only be used for middle-mile related costs if it is necessary in order to provide last-mile service.

Unserved areas where at least 10% of the delivery points (locations) do not currently have access to broadband service of at least actual 25 Mbps download speed and 10 Mbps upload speed with low latency. 

Underserved areas that have no access to broadband service with download speeds greater than 100 Mbps and upload speeds greater than 20 Mbps with low latency.

The ConnectMT Program is technology agnostic and will not select an application based solely on the proposed technology solution. Achievable results are more important to provide the maximum possible service to the recipient.
Projects that provide technology solutions of 100 Mbps/100 Mbps or greater will receive priority of funding according to the program requirements.
Non-terrestrial providers will not be eligible to challenge census blocks unless they meet the criteria in the “qualified broadband provider” definition.
The ConnectMT program will coordinate its reporting of served locations with federal agencies, including the US Treasury Department, and US Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) on a periodic basis in order to meet requirements of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).  However, the ConnectMT program does not control federal programs or federal agencies’ determinations of served locations.
The State is currently reviewing all map enhancement requests.
The map utilizes FCC data as provided by the NTIA National Broadband Availability Map website.
Yes, you can view these results under ARPA->Challenge Results
Only applicants can file a reply in the challenge process. Replies will be due 5 business days after the ConnectMT provides written notice to an applicant that a valid challenge has been made to the application.  Keep checking the ConnectMT website challenge section for public notices.
All maps, received applications, challenge applications, challenge responses, and other information related to challenges can be found under the “ARPA” tab
Applicants are encouraged to review the broadband map published by the ConnectMT program and should show due diligence in selecting unserved and underserved areas prior to submitting applications. 
Challenges are limited to eligible applications received by the ConnectMT program. The ConnectMT program will review challenges and responses received from the challenge process to determine whether an area or location that an applicant proposes to serve should be deemed ineligible for award allocation.  Applicants are encouraged to review the broadband map published by the ConnectMT program and should show due diligence in selecting unserved and underserved areas prior to submitting applications.  In the event that certain locations are deemed ineligible by the ConnectMT program, the applicant may be allowed to reduce its request for the specified project if the applicant deems it is financially and technically feasible to do so.  Adjustments to an application that are successfully challenged are only allowable at the sole discretion of the ConnectMT program.  Adjustments may only be allowed for precise funding that includes the last mile locations of the contested area. The determination for award eligibility is final once the challenge process is complete and a decision has been rendered by the ConnectMT program.  Award eligibility does not guarantee that a project will be funded due to priority ranking of applications and limited funding availability.
The minimum match must equal 20 percent of the total project as proposed.  If the proposed project is $12M total, the required match is $2.4M and the requested allocation/grant is $9.6M.
No
If you answered yes to the question "Do you have any documents considered trade secrets or confidential for this application?" the Submittable system will provide instructions on how to securely transfer your confidential files and provide contact information if you have any issues. 
The three (3) most recent years of CPA unqualified compiled, reviewed, or audited financial statements. If these are considered confidential, they should be marked as such.
Any service address (location) that was beneficiary to a federal award from the federal government where the provider is currently committed to deliver service at 100 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed with low latency is not eligible.  The federal awards include but are not limited to the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) or USDA ReConnect program.  Service addresses where actual delivery speeds are less than 100 Mbps downloads and 20 Mbps uploads with low latency that received other federal awards which have completed construction including but not limited to Connect America Fund, or Broadband Technology Opportunities Fund are eligible for ConnectMT funding. Any service address that currently has 100Mbps download, and 20 Mbps upload with low latency is ineligible for funding.
No, the map is an estimate of broadband service.  If a provider who applied for funding requests to fund locations deemed served by the map, it is up to the provider to prove that the location does not receive the service that is reflected on the map.  However, according to Senate Bill 297 any project area that has less than 90% served may apply for funding to build out the remaining 10% (or more) of unserved locations in the project area.  The ConnectMT Broadband Map data was compiled from internet service providers in the state, as well as data compiled from crowdsourced information, and reports that were submitted by providers to the Federal Communications Commission.  Additionally, the state provided an overlay of areas where providers have been awarded federal funding to build services to the state standard of 100/20 with low latency.  These awards include the FCC Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and the USDA ReConnect program.   This information was compiled by Lightbox Parent, LP under contract with the State of Montana. 

Yes, any eligible provider may apply to provide service to any unserved last mile location as long as it commits to offer terrestrial based broadband service at or above 100 mbps download speeds, 20 mbps upload speeds level service with low latency on a 24 hours, 7 days per week, 365 days per year basis (with accommodations for planned downtime related to maintenance and service, and unplanned downtime related to unforeseen events) in accordance with the Connect Montana Act as defined by Montana Senate Bill 297.  An incumbent service provider’s area is not “protected” from competition nor is it able to prevent funding from being provided to a competitor when it fails to offer and provide service to locations as defined by the Connect Montana Act. 

A location having service is defined as where the internet service provider delivers broadband service to a last mile site.  The “last-mile” means at the spot of the residence, business, or government customer; included in this is where service can be provided by either wireless means or fixed wired within 5 business days of service request.  Such service provision must not result in existing customers experiencing latency of data download or reduction of megabits transmission speeds.

The State of Montana has developed a guide for applicants’ reference during the application process. Reading the entire application guide is recommended. The guide can be found on the https://connectmt.mt.gov website. Under the “Information” tab, clicking “Information” will bring you to the application guide.
Yes. However, you should upload the P.E. Certification in Section 6.6 as well as elsewhere in the application as required.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P16/Section 6.6
Applicants should make clear all assumptions made in their budgets as part of the narrative of their project financial plan.
No. Ineligible costs are not considered part of the total project costs.
Applicants should provide narrative discussion in their project financial plan as to why their cost projections are in alignment with industry standards and should provide detail as to the assumptions used in their estimates.
The published scoring criteria can be found online here. 
Proof of match must take the form of either: a statement showing funds available with a state or federally regulated financial institution; a notarized letter, letter of credit, or line of credit from your financial institution noting availability of funds; or the most recent 10-k that is filed with the SEC.
No. Eligible project expenses are those incurred only on or after the execution date of the allocation award contract. However, engineering fees, and other legal costs are eligible expenses subject to reimbursement.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P7
Yes. Upon application submission, you should receive an email confirmation.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P7
As applications are reviewed, if the ConnectMT office has questions about the content of your application or requires clarification, it will reach out to the applicant. Contact or lack of contact from the state is not an indication that an allocation will or will not be made.
The published scoring criteria can be found online here. 
No. However, you should be direct in answering the prompts as provided by the application guidance.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P9/Section 1.8

The Montana Department of Administration

Mitchell Building, 125 N Roberts St.

PO Box 200101, Helena, MT 59620-0101

You may include this detail, if desired, in the letter of intent, but it is not a requirement for the letter of intent.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P10/Section 1.8
Provide a narrative summary of relevant key staff resumes and an explanation of how your organization is capable of delivering services and maintaining infrastructure. Be sure you have explained how your organization is capable of seeing the project to completion.
See Q5 of the FAQs and page 10 of the application guidance. The letter of intent should include 1 to 2 paragraphs regarding the general funding needs and the total amount of funding being requested from the allocation.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P10/Section 1.8
No. All applications must be submitted via the application portal. 
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P7
Projects will not be defined by census blocks.  They are defined by the locations and project areas necessary to deliver middle mile and last mile broadband service.  The applicant must identify locations that will be served by the proposed project.
No. The project area may include areas that are not adjacent to each other. However, the State of Montana reserves the right to partially fund applications if it allows the project to remain financially and technically feasible.
The home-based business count is a determination made by the potential subscriber and the applicant.  However, a location can only be counted once.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P13/Section 4.1

You should provide a brief narrative that outlines your documentation process and includes images of the map with your overlayed proposed project area.  The map will also produce an excel file that you should upload to your application.

Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P14/Section 4.4

This should be a legal attestation by a Montana certified PE that your project is technically sound and can deliver services as designed and as estimated. This can be in the form of a notarized letter or legal document.
Yes
Secured funds documentation examples include a letter of credit, bank letter confirming funds, board resolution committing funds, or loan documentation.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P10/Section 1.9; Section 3.7
A Montana PE must review and certify the application and will serve as the primary technical contact for the application. Your application will not be considered complete if the PE certification is not from a Montana certified PE.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P11/Section 1.9
A list of incorporated communities can be found here.
                               
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P11/Section 2.3"
Interested parties can apply via the ConnectMT website. Navigate to the https://connectmt.mt.gov/ConnectMT homepage and select to expand the “Apply” tab; choose “Broadband Application” from the dropdown menu, and you should be directed to the application website where you can register by selecting ARPA Broadband Infrastructure.
No. But you are required to be a participating provider in the Affordable Connectivity Program.  
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P18/Section 6.10
No. Project schedules should reflect all key planning, permitting, procurement, construction, installation, testing, and service activation milestones.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P18/Section 6.12
The financial plan represents a narrative overview of your proposed project budget.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P18/Section 6.12
The P.E. certification is not considered a replacement for the required narrative related to the technical expertise of the applicant organization.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P20/Section 7.1
Provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) from your liability insurance provider or bonding instrument that will cover the period of performance. 
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P10/Section 1.9
There is no prescribed form for this certification.  The certification should be notarized.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P16/Section 6.4
The intent of this requirement is to ensure the equipment proposed can meet the basic speed requirements of the program.  Include detail in your narrative response details regarding how the design of the proposed infrastructure will support scalability. This information must be certified by a Montana Certified P.E. and can also be noted in the required P.E. Certification.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P16/Section 6.5
See Section 6.12 of the application guidance.  A pro forma financial spreadsheet is required and must provide a minimum of five-year outlook as part of the financial justification to reach sustainability.  Applicants may provide an extended analysis beyond five years, if desired.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P18/Section 6.12
Provide a PDF version of your route and service area map with your narrative description for Section 2.4.  Ensure the map has a detailed legend that identifies the different types of infrastructure (last mile/middle mile) to be installed and that the map includes boundaries, buildings, road/street names. or other features that clearly identify the project coverage area.
 
Applicable Application/Guidebook Section: G P11/Section 2.4