Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application for Competitive Grant Program
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and contin...
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
AGENCY:
National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Commerce.
ACTION:
Notice of information collection, request for comment.
SUMMARY:
The Department of Commerce, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and continuing information collections, which help us assess the impact of our information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. The purpose of this notice is to allow for 60 days of public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
DATES:
To ensure consideration, comments regarding this proposed information collection must be received on or before October 26, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by mail to Jennifer Duane, Director, Grants Management, Administration, and Compliance, Office of Internet Connectivity and Growth, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 4874, Washington, DC 20230, or by email to
broadbandusa@ntia.gov.
Please reference “Competitive Grant Program Application Forms Comment” in the subject line of your comments. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Requests for additional information or specific questions related to collection activities should be directed to Jennifer Duane, Director, Grants Management, Administration, and Compliance, via telephone at (202) 482-1763, or via email at
jduane@ntia.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, 2021 (Infrastructure Act or Act), which was adopted on November 15, 2021, provided $65 billion of funding for programs to close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to high-speed broadband. NTIA administers multiple broadband connectivity grant programs funded by the Act, including the Competitive Grant Program (CGP) which is authorized under 47 U.S.C. 1724 (
www.govinfo.gov/link/uscode/47/1724). CGP provides federal funding
( printed page 54849)
for grants to eligible applicants for the purpose of, among other things, advancing broadband adoption, digital skills development, and access to public connectivity resources.
NTIA will use the information collected from each applicant to effectively review the proposed applications and budgets from eligible entities as defined by 47 U.S.C. 1724(b).
II. Method of Collection
NTIA will collect data through both electronic and mail submission.
III. Data
OMB Control Number:
0660-0055.
Form Number(s):
TBD.
Type of Review:
Revision of a current information collection.
Affected Public:
Eligible entities applying for Competitive Grant Program funding, including political subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities of a State; Indian Tribes, Alaska Native entities, and Native Hawaiian organizations; foundations, qualifying corporations, institutions, and associations that are not-for-profit entities and not schools; community anchor institutions; local educational agencies; and entities that carry out workforce development programs; and other eligible entities (or partnerships between such entities).
Estimated Number of Respondents:
800.
Estimated Time per Response:
18 hours per applicant.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:
14,400 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public:
$696,240.00.
Respondent's Obligation:
Mandatory.
Legal Authority:
Section 60305 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, Public Law 117-58, 135 Stat. 429 (November 15, 2021).
IV. Request for Comments
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department/Bureau to:
(a) Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department, including whether the information will have practical utility.
(b) Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
(c) Evaluate ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
(d) Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments that you submit in response to this notice are a matter of public record. We will include or summarize each comment in our request to OMB to approve this ICR. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Compliance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department.
Use this for formal legal and research references to the published document.
91 FR 54848
Web Citation
Suggested Web Citation
Use this when citing the archival web version of the document.
“Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Application for Competitive Grant Program,” thefederalregister.org (August 25, 2026), https://thefederalregister.org/documents/2026-17322/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-the-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-for-review-and-approval-c.
47 U.S.C. 1724