SECTION 16.42. Awards; Grant Agreement

(a) All award decisions shall be made at the sole discretion of the office and are not appealable or subject to protest.

(b) Grants for the deployment of broadband infrastructure awarded under this subchapter may only be used for capital expenses, purchase or lease of property, and other expenses, including backhaul and transport, that will facilitate the provision or adoption of broadband service.

(c) A grant recipient shall have 30 days from the date of award to negotiate and sign the grant agreement. The comptroller may extend the deadline to fully execute the grant agreement upon a showing of good cause by the grant recipient(s). If the grant agreement is not signed by the grant recipient and received by the office by the later of the 30th day after the award of the grant agreement or the extended deadline date, the office may rescind the award.

Source Note: The provisions of this §16.42 adopted to be effective February 19, 2023, 48 TexReg 685; amended to be effective March 24, 2024, 49 TexReg 1956