RECOVERY ACT - Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Study

RECOVERY ACT PROJECT: THIS NOTICE IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. THIS OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE TO GSA MOBIS SCHEDULE HOLDERS. SEE E-BUY #485084, RFQ # N10PS18444 FOR THE SOLICITATION PACKAGE. The Department of Interior (DOI), National Business Center (NBC), Acquisition Services Directorate (AQD), Herndon Office, on the behalf of the Department of Commerce's National Telecommunication and Information Administration (NTIA) is soliciting qualified General Services Administration (GSA) Mission Oriented Business Integrated Services (MOBIS) Schedule (Schedule 874 Special Item Numbers 874-1) firms to submit responses to a Request for Quotation. NTIA's Treasury Account Symbol is # 139/100554 RFQ Purpose:To obtain Contractor provided services to conduct a study of the impact the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant awards are having on broadband availability, adoption, and on economic and social conditions in areas served by the grantees. Such assessment should take into account a number of key factors such as the nature of the funded activity, existing conditions in the service area, as well as other distinctive characteristics relating to each award. The assessment should also inform the Federal government on the return on investment expected from BTOP grant funding, as well as identify factors influencing performance and impact that can be used to inform future efforts, whether funded by the government or the private sector. This requirement is in accordance with the background provided below. Broadband Technology Opportunities Program Background:Section 6001 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 authorized NTIA to establish a national broadband service development and expansion program, referred to as the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). NTIA will have awarded approximately $4,549,000,000 to grant recipients by September 30, 2010. BTOP's five core purposes: 1) To provide broadband access in unserved areas;2) To provide improved access in underserved areas;3) To provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment, and support to institutions of higher learning, and other community support organizations, to organizations and agencies that provide outreach to vulnerable populations (e.g., low-income, unemployed, aged), and to job-creating strategic facilities in economic development zones;4) To improve access for public safety agencies; and5) To stimulate the demand for broadband, economic growth, and job creation. The objective of this study is a methodologically rigorous evaluation of the economic and social impact of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant awards. If you are qualified and interested in competing for this effort, you may participate by submitting a response to the GSA E-Buy Request for Quotation as posted on the GSA E-Buy system (See E-Buy #485084, RFQ # N10PS18444). E-mailed responses will not be honored.