SECTION 16.7. Preferences

The office may give preference to applications and make awards decisions based upon the following factors:

(1) cost effectiveness and overall impact;

(2) geographic location;

(3) the latest state or federal broadband data;

(4) the number of households or businesses that will be served due to the reimbursement being requested;

(5) involvement of broadband networks owned, operated by, or affiliated with local governments, non-profits, or cooperatives;

(6) completion of the pole replacement and payment of all costs of the pole replacement;

(7) investments in fiber-optic infrastructure;

(8) affordability of broadband services in a target area;

(9) participation in federal programs that provide low-income consumers with subsidies for broadband internet access services;

(10) documentation of existing broadband internet service performance;

(11) download speeds and upload speeds, including user speed tests resulting from completion of the pole replacement;

(12) community involvement in the pole replacement planning process, including feedback from community members, community organizations, and business owners;

(13) business practices and workforce information, including the following:

(A) the applicant's workforce meets high safety and training standards;

(B) the applicant prioritizes the hiring of local workers or workers from historically disadvantaged communities;

(C) the applicant ensures that its contractors and subcontractors meet high labor standards; and

(D) the applicant has no recent violations of federal and state labor and employment laws; and

(14) any additional factors listed in a NOFA published by the office.

Source Note: The provisions of this §16.7 adopted to be effective March 17, 2022, 47 TexReg 1294