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01-266ORIGINAL RESOLUTION CITY Presented By Referred To L, MINNESOTA Committee: Date � 2 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration 3(NTIA), has issued a request for grant applications under the Technology Opportunity Program (TOP) that 4 demonstrate innovative uses of high speed digital network technologies in underserved communities, and WHEREAS, The Saint Paul Department of Technology and Management Services has developed an innovative approach to market the use of digital technologies to underserved communities in partnership with the Saint Paul Schools, and other community based organizations, and 10 WHEREAS, the innovative program, titled: Primin the HiQh Speed Pumn, is intended to encourage the use of high 11 speed technology to serve new immigrant entrepreneurs and senior citizens of diverse ethnic heritage, and 12 13 WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Department of Technology and Management Services requests authorization to submit a 14 grant application for the program in partnership with the Saint Paul Schools in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, 15 of which 50% must be "in kind" contributions from the participating organizations, now, therefore, be it 16 17 RESOLVED, that Mayor Norm Coleman, as Chief Executive Office of the City of Saint Paul, is hereby authorized 18 and directed to submit a 2001 Technology Opportunity Cnant Application to the U. S. Department of Commerce in 19 such form as prescribed by the regulations of said Department, and be it 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 FURTI�R RESOLVED, that the Mayor, or his designated representatives, are authorized to submit to the U.S. Department of Commerce any assurances, certifications, or technical supporting inforrnation that may be required by the U. S. Department of Commerce during their review of the City's application for Federal Assistance. Adopted by Council: Date M.� ,��a ofl� Adoption Certified by Council Secretary � �_ i ' �- - ��'�� y 1 /�il'//i� i�J'.///% �ii,r�i�� i��/��ii/ Requested by Department of: Technology and Management Services gY: �.^� Form r ed by City Atto By: � Approved by Mayor for Su mission to Councal By: ��(� � Council File � O \ �.l`(e Resolution # Green sheet � j03R IR' Department of TMS Robert Kessler 266-8799 be on by: GREEN SHEET No . 103818 0�-� Date: March 9, 2001 CLIP ALL LOCATIONS CTION REQUESTED: Approval of the submission o£ a Grant Application to the US , epartment of Commerce to fund a demonstration program to remove barriers thati imit the use of hiqh speed diqital networks by under served communities. ! APPROVE (A1 OR REJECT (R) iNING COMMISSION CIVIL SERVICE COMF7ISSI0 COMMITTEE BUSINESS REVIEW COUNCIL F 'RICT COURT WHICH CWNCIL OBJ£CTIVB4 SERVICt: CONTRTGTS DfOST At15C1ER THE FOLLOWIN6: Has the person/firm ever worked under a contract foz this department7 YES NO Has this person/firm ever been a City employee4 YES NO Does [his person/firm possess a skill not normally possessed by any Current City employee? YES NO .ain a11 YES anavers on a separate aLaet aad attach. ITY (Who, What, , why): ny residents of lower income neighborhoods in Saint Paul do not have the ility to access or use high speed networks. The Mayor and City Council have t ambitious goals to increase the level of the use of technology in the ty, and this demonstration grant is intended to show that this can be done eatively through the promotion of small business assistance and the velopment of oral historys from elderly immigrants, thus increasing literacy� and comfort with the Internet and its related software programs. � e grant will provide resources for the City to work in partnership with the int Paul Schools and other community based groups to expand access to high eed digital technology to demonstrate that technology can improve socio- onomic conditions and build a sense of community in araes with multigle apparent �� , k�,. ty will lose an opportunity to demonstrate a creative solution to the oblem of extending access to technology to underserved cdmmunities. AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION: Up to 51,000,000 COST/REVENUE BUDGETED YES NO SOURCE n�,�t,-.s. �� of City Funds: 2001 and 2002 TMS Budget. u INFORMATION: (EXPLAIN) (Background memo attached) Technology Oppartunity Grant - Outline 3-5-01 ��"� Project Title: Primin�The High Speed Pum� Project Purpose: Demonstrate the effective use of high speed networks in several targeted under served communities by removing barriers that limit the use and access to high speed digital network resources. Participation in the demonstration will be specifically marketed by promoting participation in two or three oral history pro,}ects and by the promotion of small business development assistance desig�ed to prepare new immigant entrepreneurs to use technology for business development. Project Strategy: The City of Saint Paul will work in collaboration with the School District (Hubbs Center), several community groups, and the private sector to market the use of the Internet to under served groups by generating participation in two projects: 1) Small business assistance to emerging entrepreneurs, and 2) the development of several oral history projects for new immigrant populations. Project Description: The 18 month demonstration project will consist of three to four sites in the community (Hubbs Center, Neighborhood House, andlor Merrick Center) where "hands on" assistance will be provided to teach people how to access information and use digital technology for either or both the oral history aspect or the business assistance aspect of the overall project. These three home sites would then reach out further into the community to provide the services envisioned. Oral History Programming Content: Since the 1990 census, Saint Paul has seen a tremendous influx of New Americans, many of them refugees like the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, and Somali. Significant internal migration has also occurred, and the 2000 census will show a significant increase in the number of African American and Hispanic American residents in Saint Paul. What all ofthese groups share is an interest in roots, something particularly important in refugees that come from an oral tradition where the eiders who have direct memory of the homeland are aging and disappearing. Small Business Assistance Programming Content: Many new immigrants are entrepreneurial and seek ways to develop and open businesses. In doing so they encounter many obstacles due to language and cultural differences, and they have special difficulty understanding the rules and regulations that govein businesses in the US. The concept is to bring these entrepreneurs together with business development experts to use high speed digital resources for training and assistance. Program Partners: The Priming the High Speed Pump Project would bring together a variety of organizarions, some of which would be funded with the grant, some of which would allocate staff to the project, some of which would host project activities, and all of which would be used to generate the required match. o� -�� Q � O a� �� M Q � � � Z � � m _ � _ ~ •� a1,_ c � �a � 1.� � o 0 0 0 0 o a o 0 � O�f N t�n r rn u 6 � < � y O O O O O O O O O O O O � M � l`') O 00 ��fl LL � � � L � 0 0 � 0 � 0 0 0 � O O O O O O O O C (�O N N n O c�0 7 I�+ Y r� c w U o c �+ Y � c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 c o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 � o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 E � rn c v � ° m v rn a � � � N � C � 3 N N ,� � � i� O V C � 'C H N � r � N `° '� n y w a� � � � x '� a�i o `m �c a�i � r � � V 3 n � U N cQ N � O. °_' a` ti H m H in = in 0 0 0 � � � N N O F o�-�� Technolow Opport�nities Progrom Billing Code 3510-60-M U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration DOCKET NUMBER: 981203295-0355-OS RIN: 0660-ZA06 CFDA: 11.552 Technology Opportunities Program AGENCY: National Tetecommunications and Information Administration, Commerce ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administrstion (NTIA) issues this Natrce describing thc conditions under which applicalions will be received under the Technology OppoRUnities Program (TOP) and how NTIA will determine which applications it will fund. TOP promotes the widespread availability and use of digital network technotogies in the public and non- profit scefors. To accomplish this objectivc, TOP provides matching grants to state, local, and tribal govemments and non-profit entities for model projects that dcmonstrate innovativc uses of digital network technologies in undcrserved communities. T6P projects address specific challenges and ccalize opportunities in such azeas as lifelong leaming, communiry and economic development, govemment and public services, safety, health, and culture and the aets. Notice - I o�-ac� F1' 2007 Notice of Availability of Funds DATES: Complete applications for the Fiscal Year 2001 TOP gran[ progrun must be mailed or hand-carried to the address indicated below and received by NT1A no tater than 8:00 P.IDI. EST, March 22, 2001. ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: Technology Opportunicies Program Nafional Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Deparhnent of Commerce � 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW HCHB, Room 4092 Washington, DC 20230 or hand-delivered to: Technology Opportunities Program . Nationai Teiecommunications and Infortnation Administration U.S. Depar�nent of Commerce HCHB, Room I874 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230 Room 1874 is located at entrance q 10 on I 5'" S Veet NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Stephcn J. Downs, Dvector of the Technotogy Opportunities Progrun. Telephone: 202-482-2048; fax: 202-501-5136; e-maii: top@ntia.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: th ri Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2001, Public Law No: 106-553. Notice - 2 o � -a�� Technology Opportunifies Program �Jipible Organizallons All non-ptofit entities (including, but not limited to, non-profit community-based organiu[ions, non-profit heaith caze providers, public health institurions, schools, libraries, museums, colieges, universities, public safety providers) and state, local, and tribal govemments are eligible to apply. Although individuals and for-profit organizations are no[ eligible to apply, they aze encouraged to pazticipate as project partners. Funding Availability Approximately $42.5 million is available for federal assistance. A small amount of fiu1ds that have been deobligated from gcants awazded in previous fiscal years may also be available for Fiscal Year 2001 grants. Based on past experience, NTTA expects this yeaz's grant round to be very competifive. In Fiscal Year 2000, A'TIA received over 660 appfications collectively requesting morc than $270 million in federal funds. From these applications, the Department of Commerce announced 35 awards totaling $13.9 million in federal funds. �1�.'F�.TiGI: u � _ � An applicant may request up to a total of $900,000 in funds from NT'IA. TOP expects the federal amounts awarded to range from $20Q000 to $900,000, with an average of approximately $500,000. MatchinE Funds Requirements Grant recipients under this program will be required to provide matching funds towazd the total project cost. Applicants must document their capacity to provide matching funds. Matching funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. NTIA will provide up to 50 percent of the total project eost, unless the applicant can document extraordinary cireumstances wacranting a grant of up to 75 percent. Grant funds under this program are usually roleased in d'vect proportion to local matching funds utilized and documented as having been expended. Genernliy, federal funds may not be used as matching funds, except as provided by fedcral statute. !j you plan to use jundc jran a jedera! agency, you shonfd conlac( lhejedera[ agencylha( adminislera fhe jund.c in queslinn and ob�ain doaunentalion jram (ha! agenty'.c O�ce ojGenera! Counsel !o suppor! [he use ojjedera! fund.c jor malching purposes. Notice - 3 Ol-�� F1' 2007 Notice of Availability of Funds �ompleteness of Agplication TOP will initially review all applications to detertnine whether all requ'ued elements are present and clearly identifiable. The required elements are listed and described in the Guidelines jor Preparing Applicalions Fiscn[ Year 200I. Each of the requaed elements must be present and clearly identified Failure to do so may result in rejection of the application. A�olication Deadline As voted above, complete applications for the F'�scal Year 2001 TOP grant program must be received by NTIA no later than 8:00 P.M. EST, March 22, 2001. A postmark date is not sufticienL Applications wMch have been provided to a delivery service on or before March 21, 2001, with "delivery guaranteed" before 8:00 P.M. on Mazch 22, 2001, will be accepted for review if the applican[ can document that the application was provided to the delivery service with delivery to the address listed above guarenteed prior to the closing date and tune. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic mail. NTIA anticipates that it will take approximately six months to complete the review of applications and make final funding decisions. Program FundinQ Priorities While access ro computers and the Intemet among underserved populations is increasing, effecHve use of digital network technologies continues to lag in underserved communities and the organi�ations that serve them.� Across the country, various groups of people and geographic communities face technological, economic, physicai, linguistic, or cultural barriers that limit or prevent their use of digital nelwork tectuiologies or vital services. Through TOP, NTIA provides underserved communities with opportunities to overcome these barriers and explore the benefits that emerging digital network tectmologies offer. TOP projects demonstrate creative uses of digital nctworks to address chaltenges in the public and non-profit sectors. All funded projccts must be interactivc in that they alfow end users to share infortnation with each other or gain access to infortnation on an on-demand basis, as opposed to a one- way or broadcast basis? TOP supported projects must also involve communication and new partnerships among multiple unaTfiliated organizations or enable direct, interactive communication between an organization and the public it serves. � Recent NTIA-sponsored reports, including Falling Through the Net, TowarJDigita!lnclueion and liixmrica!!y Black Cofleges ond Universi[ies: An Asa•ec�ment ojNetworking and Conneclivity, provide more deEails on the levels of access among specific communities. These reports are accessible via NTIP.'s home page at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. � M"end uset' is an individual who dimetly utifius the network [echnology. Notice - 4 0�-��6 Technoloqy Opportunities Program - Fundamental to any TOP project is the applicant's vision of how to use nehvorks to address specific challenges and realize opportunities in such areas as lifelong leaming, community and economic development, govemment and pubGc services, safery, health, and culture and the arts. Rather than simply requesting funds to build capacity or upgade existing equipment, each applicafion should describe a project that identifies specific problems, proposes creative solutions, and postufatu measurable outcomes. As a nafional program, TOP emphasizes innovation, tearning, and d�usion of new ideas and pracrical lmowledge. Each TOP-supported project must be innovative in the sense that it represents a departuie from how other communities and groups across the country are using network technology to address pressing challenges. Each TOP project should yield new insights into how best to use network technology and offer opportunities to learn what works well and what doesn't. Because these grants will serve as national models for other communities, NTIA expects each project to include provisions for thorough evaluations that wil! provide valid and reliable data as well as valuable lessons leamed to be shazed with others interested in the project. For the FY 2001 grant competitioq TOP is especially interested in projects ihat involve: • broadband technologies that bring very high-speed communications direcdy to end users; • mobile wireless communication technotogies that o(fer end users greater flexibility in how, where, and when they access infortnation; • empowering end users [o move beyond passive infortnation consumption to become valued contributors to the development, modification, and expansion of shared information resoumes•; • emerging data sharing techniques that facilitatc the seamless and secure exchange of infortnation across organizational boundaries; and • sustainable strategies to pool community demand to support the widespread availabiliry of digital nctwork services. As in past years, TOP is also especially interested in projects devetoped by smaller, locally-based organizations that both serve and icpresent underserved communities across the nation. For e�campie, these organizations may include but are not limited to: community-based organizations; small non- profits; colleges and universities serving mral communities; Minority Serving Institutions (Historicaily Black Colleges and Universitics, Hispanic Scrving Institutions, and Tribal Collcges and Universities); and organizations representing Empowerment Zones and Entcepdse Communities. In previous fiscal years, NTIA suppodcd planning projects whose primary goal was to develop strntegies for the dcvelopment of network technologies. Thc emphasis for Fiscal Year 2001 is on 3 Fot e�cample, once isolated communities now use Intemet technology ta collect and express their histories; children fiave become agents of communiry change as they have used cetwork technology ro collect infoimation, provide analysis, and contribute ta the public policy dialogue in their coromunities; and citizens aze exploring the creation of databases which enrich the resoumes made available by local and state govemments. Notice - S o � .a�� FY 2001 Notice of Availability of Funds projects that deve%p and vse nehvork technologies. NTIA will, however, suppoR projects [hat incorporate some planning activi[ies as pazt of the proposed ptoject. I,imitations on Project Scooe Each TOP project is expected to include a[ange of activities that support project development, unplementa[ion, and evaluation. However, TOP wi(! nnt suppart projectx wHose primary purpa.ee is to develop hazdwaze or softwaze, to provide iraining on the use of the network technologies, or to build voice-bazed systems. Details on these restrictions are discussed below. (I) Hardware or Sotlware Devetopment Projects. $ome projects may require l'united sottware development or the wstomization or modification of eacisting sottwaze or hudwaze in order to meet particulaz end-vser requ'vements or to enable the exchange of infocmation across networks. However, the creation of a sotiwaze or hazdware product cannol be a project's primary pwpose. (2) Training Projects. While TOP dces consider training ro be an essential aspect of most projects, TOP wilf not support projects whose primary purpose is ro provide tcaining in Ihe use of'soflware applications, Intemet use, or other use of network technologies. (3) Voicc-based Systems. Two-way, interactive voice nelworks aze an unportant element of the existing network systems. Voice as a means for conveying information and voice input tools p�ay critical roles in enswing people with disabilities have access to network technology. However, TOP wi![ no! suppoR projects whote primary purpose is lo either build or install voice-based communication nehvorks such as call centen, hvo-way radio netwocks, enhanoed-9S S and �l l systems, or 800 MHZ radio systems. Notice - 6 o�.a�� TecNnology Opport�nities Program Review Criteria Reviewen will review and rete each application using the Following criteria. The relative weights of each criterion aze identified in parentheses. 1. Project Purpose (20%) Each application should describe a cleazly defined projed that focuses on underserved communifies. In this criterion, reviewers willjudge each application on (1) [he overell design of the project and (2) the degfee to which i[ provides opportunities for undesserved communities. In assessing the projec[ design, reviewers will examine the degtee to which the applicant clearly: deFines the problem(s) within the community to be served and describes its severity; proposes creative and praccical means of addressing the community's problem(s) employing digital nehvork technologies; and identifies anticipated outcomes and that aze both realistic and measurable. Reviewers will also assess ihe degree to which an applicant convincingty links the three major elements—problem(s), solution(s), and outcome(s). Reviewers will usess the degree to which t(ie project targets underserved communities and populations, and the degree to which the proposed project will address the circumstances and chalienges (such as poverty, low literacy, disabilities, high unemployment, low educational achievement, high crime rate, poor health status, etc.) they face. 2. Innovation (20%) Reviewers will assess innovation by examining both �he technology to be used and the appfication of technology in a particutar setS�B, �� serve a particu(ar poputatioq or to solve a particulaz problem. TOP defines innovation broad(y. For example, projects that involve imaginative partnerships, the introducfion of new busincss processes dcsigned to offer more effectivt serviccs, untested strategies for overcoming access barricrs, or ncw techniques that transform inter-organizational relationships can all bc considercd innovative. TOP encourages applicants to experiment with leading edge technologies. It is, however, the creativity behind the apptication of t6e technotogy to meet community needs that ultimatcly detcrmines the levcl of innovation. Using their experience in thcir respective fields, reviewers will examine each project in a national context and evaluate (1 j how an application compares with, complements, and improves on the existing base of knowtedge and project practices and (2) what insight(s) ihe proposed project could add to what is known about using digital nctwork tcchnology as a solution to problems in its particular Ficld. Notice - 7 o � - �� FY 2007 Notice of Availabiliry of Funds 3. Diffus'ron Potential (20°/a) The innovafions and appmaches to bedemonstreted in any proposed pmject should contain the poten[ial to be diffused broadly throughout the country. NTIA expects that each awazded project will serve az a model for other cummunities to follow. To assess this potential for difi'usion, reviewers will consider four factms: (1) the degee to which the problem identified by the applicant is common to many communities; (2) the relative advantage of the projecPs innovations over established approaches to addressing the specified problems; (3) the ease of repfication and adaptation, based on considerations such as cost and complexity; and (4) the app�canPs plans and budget resources dedicated to disseminate actively the lrnowledge gained from the project's successes and failures. 4. ProJect Feasibility (IS%) In usessing the feasibility of each appGcation, reviewers will focus on six issues: the technical apptoach, ihe qualifications of ihe project staSf, ihe proposed budget, the implementation schedule, plans for protecting privacy, and the applicant's plan for sustaining the project beyond the yant period. (t) In assessing technical aQgroach, revieivers will examine the degree to which the proposed sys[em would work and operate with other systems; technological alternatives that have been considered; designs for system maintenance and periodic upgrades; and planspro,ject expansioa Appticants are expected to make use of existing infrasWCture and commercially available telecommunications services, unless extraordinary circumstances require the construction of new network facilities. (2) In assessing the quatifications of the project team, reviewers will assess the applicant and its partners to deteanine if they have the resources, expertisq and experience necessary to undeRake, evaluate, and complete the project and disseminate results within the proposed period. (3) Reviewers will ana�yze the budget in terms of clarity and cosLeffectiveness. The proposed budget shouid be appropriate to the tasks proposed and sufliciently detailed so that reviewers can easily undetstand ffie relationship of items in the budget to the project nanative. Notice - 8 � 4-34� Technobg7cS2pportunities Program (4) Reviewers also will usess the degree ro which the implemen[ation process is comprehensive, reasonable, and can be completed in the proposed time frame. (5) Reviewes will evaluate [he applicanPs plans to safeguard [he privacy of ihe projecPs end users and others affected by the project. (6) Finally, reviewers will examine the applicanYs strategies [o sustain the project aRer [he completion of the grant. 5. Community Invotvement (IS%) Each application will be rated on the overall level and breadth of community involvement in the development and 'unplementation of [he proposed project. Reviewers will: (1) analyze the applicanPs pazfierships to ensure that they include linkages among unaffiliated organizations (from the public, non-profit, or private sectors) u an ongoing and integal part of project planning and implementation. TOP considers partners to be organizations that supply cash or in-kind resources and/or play an active role in Ihe planning and implementation of [he project; (2) examine the steps the applicant has taken to include and sustain the invoivement of a variety of community stakeholders. Reviewers will look for evidence of demand, from the community, the rnd users, and the potential beneficiades, for the services proposed by the project; and (3) consider the degree of attention paid to the needs, skills, working conditions, and living environments of lhe targeted end users. Reviewers will consider the extent to which applicants involve sepresencatives from a broad cange of pocential use�s in both the design and implementation of the project and consider the varying degrees of abilities of all end users, including individuals with disabilities. Reviewers will also assess the degree to which the project addresses bamers which limit a community's or a group's access to digital network technotogies. Finally, reviewers will assess thc appficant's plans for training end users and upgrading their skills. 6. Evaluation (10%) Each application will bc rated on its proposed plans for evaluating the project. Reviewers will atsess the extent to which the applicanPs research or evaluation design: (I) provides for continuous feedback for project planning, unplementation, review and revision; (2) addresses ti�e problems, solutions, and anticipated outcomes described in the project puepose and yields vaGd and reliable findings; (3) captures lessons learned and su(ficient descriptive data so lhat others may easily adapt and replicate tk��groject; and (4) meets TOP's requirements for an independent evatuation as described in the "Reporting Requirements" section of Notice. Natice - 9 ORIGINAL RESOLUTION CITY Presented By Referred To L, MINNESOTA Committee: Date � 2 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration 3(NTIA), has issued a request for grant applications under the Technology Opportunity Program (TOP) that 4 demonstrate innovative uses of high speed digital network technologies in underserved communities, and WHEREAS, The Saint Paul Department of Technology and Management Services has developed an innovative approach to market the use of digital technologies to underserved communities in partnership with the Saint Paul Schools, and other community based organizations, and 10 WHEREAS, the innovative program, titled: Primin the HiQh Speed Pumn, is intended to encourage the use of high 11 speed technology to serve new immigrant entrepreneurs and senior citizens of diverse ethnic heritage, and 12 13 WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Department of Technology and Management Services requests authorization to submit a 14 grant application for the program in partnership with the Saint Paul Schools in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, 15 of which 50% must be "in kind" contributions from the participating organizations, now, therefore, be it 16 17 RESOLVED, that Mayor Norm Coleman, as Chief Executive Office of the City of Saint Paul, is hereby authorized 18 and directed to submit a 2001 Technology Opportunity Cnant Application to the U. S. Department of Commerce in 19 such form as prescribed by the regulations of said Department, and be it 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 FURTI�R RESOLVED, that the Mayor, or his designated representatives, are authorized to submit to the U.S. Department of Commerce any assurances, certifications, or technical supporting inforrnation that may be required by the U. S. Department of Commerce during their review of the City's application for Federal Assistance. Adopted by Council: Date M.� ,��a ofl� Adoption Certified by Council Secretary � �_ i ' �- - ��'�� y 1 /�il'//i� i�J'.///% �ii,r�i�� i��/��ii/ Requested by Department of: Technology and Management Services gY: �.^� Form r ed by City Atto By: � Approved by Mayor for Su mission to Councal By: ��(� � Council File � O \ �.l`(e Resolution # Green sheet � j03R IR' Department of TMS Robert Kessler 266-8799 be on by: GREEN SHEET No . 103818 0�-� Date: March 9, 2001 CLIP ALL LOCATIONS CTION REQUESTED: Approval of the submission o£ a Grant Application to the US , epartment of Commerce to fund a demonstration program to remove barriers thati imit the use of hiqh speed diqital networks by under served communities. ! APPROVE (A1 OR REJECT (R) iNING COMMISSION CIVIL SERVICE COMF7ISSI0 COMMITTEE BUSINESS REVIEW COUNCIL F 'RICT COURT WHICH CWNCIL OBJ£CTIVB4 SERVICt: CONTRTGTS DfOST At15C1ER THE FOLLOWIN6: Has the person/firm ever worked under a contract foz this department7 YES NO Has this person/firm ever been a City employee4 YES NO Does [his person/firm possess a skill not normally possessed by any Current City employee? YES NO .ain a11 YES anavers on a separate aLaet aad attach. ITY (Who, What, , why): ny residents of lower income neighborhoods in Saint Paul do not have the ility to access or use high speed networks. The Mayor and City Council have t ambitious goals to increase the level of the use of technology in the ty, and this demonstration grant is intended to show that this can be done eatively through the promotion of small business assistance and the velopment of oral historys from elderly immigrants, thus increasing literacy� and comfort with the Internet and its related software programs. � e grant will provide resources for the City to work in partnership with the int Paul Schools and other community based groups to expand access to high eed digital technology to demonstrate that technology can improve socio- onomic conditions and build a sense of community in araes with multigle apparent �� , k�,. ty will lose an opportunity to demonstrate a creative solution to the oblem of extending access to technology to underserved cdmmunities. AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION: Up to 51,000,000 COST/REVENUE BUDGETED YES NO SOURCE n�,�t,-.s. �� of City Funds: 2001 and 2002 TMS Budget. u INFORMATION: (EXPLAIN) (Background memo attached) Technology Oppartunity Grant - Outline 3-5-01 ��"� Project Title: Primin�The High Speed Pum� Project Purpose: Demonstrate the effective use of high speed networks in several targeted under served communities by removing barriers that limit the use and access to high speed digital network resources. Participation in the demonstration will be specifically marketed by promoting participation in two or three oral history pro,}ects and by the promotion of small business development assistance desig�ed to prepare new immigant entrepreneurs to use technology for business development. Project Strategy: The City of Saint Paul will work in collaboration with the School District (Hubbs Center), several community groups, and the private sector to market the use of the Internet to under served groups by generating participation in two projects: 1) Small business assistance to emerging entrepreneurs, and 2) the development of several oral history projects for new immigrant populations. Project Description: The 18 month demonstration project will consist of three to four sites in the community (Hubbs Center, Neighborhood House, andlor Merrick Center) where "hands on" assistance will be provided to teach people how to access information and use digital technology for either or both the oral history aspect or the business assistance aspect of the overall project. These three home sites would then reach out further into the community to provide the services envisioned. Oral History Programming Content: Since the 1990 census, Saint Paul has seen a tremendous influx of New Americans, many of them refugees like the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, and Somali. Significant internal migration has also occurred, and the 2000 census will show a significant increase in the number of African American and Hispanic American residents in Saint Paul. What all ofthese groups share is an interest in roots, something particularly important in refugees that come from an oral tradition where the eiders who have direct memory of the homeland are aging and disappearing. Small Business Assistance Programming Content: Many new immigrants are entrepreneurial and seek ways to develop and open businesses. In doing so they encounter many obstacles due to language and cultural differences, and they have special difficulty understanding the rules and regulations that govein businesses in the US. The concept is to bring these entrepreneurs together with business development experts to use high speed digital resources for training and assistance. Program Partners: The Priming the High Speed Pump Project would bring together a variety of organizarions, some of which would be funded with the grant, some of which would allocate staff to the project, some of which would host project activities, and all of which would be used to generate the required match. o� -�� Q � O a� �� M Q � � � Z � � m _ � _ ~ •� a1,_ c � �a � 1.� � o 0 0 0 0 o a o 0 � O�f N t�n r rn u 6 � < � y O O O O O O O O O O O O � M � l`') O 00 ��fl LL � � � L � 0 0 � 0 � 0 0 0 � O O O O O O O O C (�O N N n O c�0 7 I�+ Y r� c w U o c �+ Y � c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 c o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 � o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 E � rn c v � ° m v rn a � � � N � C � 3 N N ,� � � i� O V C � 'C H N � r � N `° '� n y w a� � � � x '� a�i o `m �c a�i � r � � V 3 n � U N cQ N � O. °_' a` ti H m H in = in 0 0 0 � � � N N O F o�-�� Technolow Opport�nities Progrom Billing Code 3510-60-M U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration DOCKET NUMBER: 981203295-0355-OS RIN: 0660-ZA06 CFDA: 11.552 Technology Opportunities Program AGENCY: National Tetecommunications and Information Administration, Commerce ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administrstion (NTIA) issues this Natrce describing thc conditions under which applicalions will be received under the Technology OppoRUnities Program (TOP) and how NTIA will determine which applications it will fund. TOP promotes the widespread availability and use of digital network technotogies in the public and non- profit scefors. To accomplish this objectivc, TOP provides matching grants to state, local, and tribal govemments and non-profit entities for model projects that dcmonstrate innovativc uses of digital network technologies in undcrserved communities. T6P projects address specific challenges and ccalize opportunities in such azeas as lifelong leaming, communiry and economic development, govemment and public services, safety, health, and culture and the aets. Notice - I o�-ac� F1' 2007 Notice of Availability of Funds DATES: Complete applications for the Fiscal Year 2001 TOP gran[ progrun must be mailed or hand-carried to the address indicated below and received by NT1A no tater than 8:00 P.IDI. EST, March 22, 2001. ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: Technology Opportunicies Program Nafional Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Deparhnent of Commerce � 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW HCHB, Room 4092 Washington, DC 20230 or hand-delivered to: Technology Opportunities Program . Nationai Teiecommunications and Infortnation Administration U.S. Depar�nent of Commerce HCHB, Room I874 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230 Room 1874 is located at entrance q 10 on I 5'" S Veet NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Stephcn J. Downs, Dvector of the Technotogy Opportunities Progrun. Telephone: 202-482-2048; fax: 202-501-5136; e-maii: top@ntia.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: th ri Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2001, Public Law No: 106-553. Notice - 2 o � -a�� Technology Opportunifies Program �Jipible Organizallons All non-ptofit entities (including, but not limited to, non-profit community-based organiu[ions, non-profit heaith caze providers, public health institurions, schools, libraries, museums, colieges, universities, public safety providers) and state, local, and tribal govemments are eligible to apply. Although individuals and for-profit organizations are no[ eligible to apply, they aze encouraged to pazticipate as project partners. Funding Availability Approximately $42.5 million is available for federal assistance. A small amount of fiu1ds that have been deobligated from gcants awazded in previous fiscal years may also be available for Fiscal Year 2001 grants. Based on past experience, NTTA expects this yeaz's grant round to be very competifive. In Fiscal Year 2000, A'TIA received over 660 appfications collectively requesting morc than $270 million in federal funds. From these applications, the Department of Commerce announced 35 awards totaling $13.9 million in federal funds. �1�.'F�.TiGI: u � _ � An applicant may request up to a total of $900,000 in funds from NT'IA. TOP expects the federal amounts awarded to range from $20Q000 to $900,000, with an average of approximately $500,000. MatchinE Funds Requirements Grant recipients under this program will be required to provide matching funds towazd the total project cost. Applicants must document their capacity to provide matching funds. Matching funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. NTIA will provide up to 50 percent of the total project eost, unless the applicant can document extraordinary cireumstances wacranting a grant of up to 75 percent. Grant funds under this program are usually roleased in d'vect proportion to local matching funds utilized and documented as having been expended. Genernliy, federal funds may not be used as matching funds, except as provided by fedcral statute. !j you plan to use jundc jran a jedera! agency, you shonfd conlac( lhejedera[ agencylha( adminislera fhe jund.c in queslinn and ob�ain doaunentalion jram (ha! agenty'.c O�ce ojGenera! Counsel !o suppor! [he use ojjedera! fund.c jor malching purposes. Notice - 3 Ol-�� F1' 2007 Notice of Availability of Funds �ompleteness of Agplication TOP will initially review all applications to detertnine whether all requ'ued elements are present and clearly identifiable. The required elements are listed and described in the Guidelines jor Preparing Applicalions Fiscn[ Year 200I. Each of the requaed elements must be present and clearly identified Failure to do so may result in rejection of the application. A�olication Deadline As voted above, complete applications for the F'�scal Year 2001 TOP grant program must be received by NTIA no later than 8:00 P.M. EST, March 22, 2001. A postmark date is not sufticienL Applications wMch have been provided to a delivery service on or before March 21, 2001, with "delivery guaranteed" before 8:00 P.M. on Mazch 22, 2001, will be accepted for review if the applican[ can document that the application was provided to the delivery service with delivery to the address listed above guarenteed prior to the closing date and tune. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic mail. NTIA anticipates that it will take approximately six months to complete the review of applications and make final funding decisions. Program FundinQ Priorities While access ro computers and the Intemet among underserved populations is increasing, effecHve use of digital network technologies continues to lag in underserved communities and the organi�ations that serve them.� Across the country, various groups of people and geographic communities face technological, economic, physicai, linguistic, or cultural barriers that limit or prevent their use of digital nelwork tectuiologies or vital services. Through TOP, NTIA provides underserved communities with opportunities to overcome these barriers and explore the benefits that emerging digital network tectmologies offer. TOP projects demonstrate creative uses of digital nctworks to address chaltenges in the public and non-profit sectors. All funded projccts must be interactivc in that they alfow end users to share infortnation with each other or gain access to infortnation on an on-demand basis, as opposed to a one- way or broadcast basis? TOP supported projects must also involve communication and new partnerships among multiple unaTfiliated organizations or enable direct, interactive communication between an organization and the public it serves. � Recent NTIA-sponsored reports, including Falling Through the Net, TowarJDigita!lnclueion and liixmrica!!y Black Cofleges ond Universi[ies: An Asa•ec�ment ojNetworking and Conneclivity, provide more deEails on the levels of access among specific communities. These reports are accessible via NTIP.'s home page at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. � M"end uset' is an individual who dimetly utifius the network [echnology. Notice - 4 0�-��6 Technoloqy Opportunities Program - Fundamental to any TOP project is the applicant's vision of how to use nehvorks to address specific challenges and realize opportunities in such areas as lifelong leaming, community and economic development, govemment and pubGc services, safery, health, and culture and the arts. Rather than simply requesting funds to build capacity or upgade existing equipment, each applicafion should describe a project that identifies specific problems, proposes creative solutions, and postufatu measurable outcomes. As a nafional program, TOP emphasizes innovation, tearning, and d�usion of new ideas and pracrical lmowledge. Each TOP-supported project must be innovative in the sense that it represents a departuie from how other communities and groups across the country are using network technology to address pressing challenges. Each TOP project should yield new insights into how best to use network technology and offer opportunities to learn what works well and what doesn't. Because these grants will serve as national models for other communities, NTIA expects each project to include provisions for thorough evaluations that wil! provide valid and reliable data as well as valuable lessons leamed to be shazed with others interested in the project. For the FY 2001 grant competitioq TOP is especially interested in projects ihat involve: • broadband technologies that bring very high-speed communications direcdy to end users; • mobile wireless communication technotogies that o(fer end users greater flexibility in how, where, and when they access infortnation; • empowering end users [o move beyond passive infortnation consumption to become valued contributors to the development, modification, and expansion of shared information resoumes•; • emerging data sharing techniques that facilitatc the seamless and secure exchange of infortnation across organizational boundaries; and • sustainable strategies to pool community demand to support the widespread availabiliry of digital nctwork services. As in past years, TOP is also especially interested in projects devetoped by smaller, locally-based organizations that both serve and icpresent underserved communities across the nation. For e�campie, these organizations may include but are not limited to: community-based organizations; small non- profits; colleges and universities serving mral communities; Minority Serving Institutions (Historicaily Black Colleges and Universitics, Hispanic Scrving Institutions, and Tribal Collcges and Universities); and organizations representing Empowerment Zones and Entcepdse Communities. In previous fiscal years, NTIA suppodcd planning projects whose primary goal was to develop strntegies for the dcvelopment of network technologies. Thc emphasis for Fiscal Year 2001 is on 3 Fot e�cample, once isolated communities now use Intemet technology ta collect and express their histories; children fiave become agents of communiry change as they have used cetwork technology ro collect infoimation, provide analysis, and contribute ta the public policy dialogue in their coromunities; and citizens aze exploring the creation of databases which enrich the resoumes made available by local and state govemments. Notice - S o � .a�� FY 2001 Notice of Availability of Funds projects that deve%p and vse nehvork technologies. NTIA will, however, suppoR projects [hat incorporate some planning activi[ies as pazt of the proposed ptoject. I,imitations on Project Scooe Each TOP project is expected to include a[ange of activities that support project development, unplementa[ion, and evaluation. However, TOP wi(! nnt suppart projectx wHose primary purpa.ee is to develop hazdwaze or softwaze, to provide iraining on the use of the network technologies, or to build voice-bazed systems. Details on these restrictions are discussed below. (I) Hardware or Sotlware Devetopment Projects. $ome projects may require l'united sottware development or the wstomization or modification of eacisting sottwaze or hudwaze in order to meet particulaz end-vser requ'vements or to enable the exchange of infocmation across networks. However, the creation of a sotiwaze or hazdware product cannol be a project's primary pwpose. (2) Training Projects. While TOP dces consider training ro be an essential aspect of most projects, TOP wilf not support projects whose primary purpose is ro provide tcaining in Ihe use of'soflware applications, Intemet use, or other use of network technologies. (3) Voicc-based Systems. Two-way, interactive voice nelworks aze an unportant element of the existing network systems. Voice as a means for conveying information and voice input tools p�ay critical roles in enswing people with disabilities have access to network technology. However, TOP wi![ no! suppoR projects whote primary purpose is lo either build or install voice-based communication nehvorks such as call centen, hvo-way radio netwocks, enhanoed-9S S and �l l systems, or 800 MHZ radio systems. Notice - 6 o�.a�� TecNnology Opport�nities Program Review Criteria Reviewen will review and rete each application using the Following criteria. The relative weights of each criterion aze identified in parentheses. 1. Project Purpose (20%) Each application should describe a cleazly defined projed that focuses on underserved communifies. In this criterion, reviewers willjudge each application on (1) [he overell design of the project and (2) the degfee to which i[ provides opportunities for undesserved communities. In assessing the projec[ design, reviewers will examine the degtee to which the applicant clearly: deFines the problem(s) within the community to be served and describes its severity; proposes creative and praccical means of addressing the community's problem(s) employing digital nehvork technologies; and identifies anticipated outcomes and that aze both realistic and measurable. Reviewers will also assess ihe degree to which an applicant convincingty links the three major elements—problem(s), solution(s), and outcome(s). Reviewers will usess the degree to which t(ie project targets underserved communities and populations, and the degree to which the proposed project will address the circumstances and chalienges (such as poverty, low literacy, disabilities, high unemployment, low educational achievement, high crime rate, poor health status, etc.) they face. 2. Innovation (20%) Reviewers will assess innovation by examining both �he technology to be used and the appfication of technology in a particutar setS�B, �� serve a particu(ar poputatioq or to solve a particulaz problem. TOP defines innovation broad(y. For example, projects that involve imaginative partnerships, the introducfion of new busincss processes dcsigned to offer more effectivt serviccs, untested strategies for overcoming access barricrs, or ncw techniques that transform inter-organizational relationships can all bc considercd innovative. TOP encourages applicants to experiment with leading edge technologies. It is, however, the creativity behind the apptication of t6e technotogy to meet community needs that ultimatcly detcrmines the levcl of innovation. Using their experience in thcir respective fields, reviewers will examine each project in a national context and evaluate (1 j how an application compares with, complements, and improves on the existing base of knowtedge and project practices and (2) what insight(s) ihe proposed project could add to what is known about using digital nctwork tcchnology as a solution to problems in its particular Ficld. Notice - 7 o � - �� FY 2007 Notice of Availabiliry of Funds 3. Diffus'ron Potential (20°/a) The innovafions and appmaches to bedemonstreted in any proposed pmject should contain the poten[ial to be diffused broadly throughout the country. NTIA expects that each awazded project will serve az a model for other cummunities to follow. To assess this potential for difi'usion, reviewers will consider four factms: (1) the degee to which the problem identified by the applicant is common to many communities; (2) the relative advantage of the projecPs innovations over established approaches to addressing the specified problems; (3) the ease of repfication and adaptation, based on considerations such as cost and complexity; and (4) the app�canPs plans and budget resources dedicated to disseminate actively the lrnowledge gained from the project's successes and failures. 4. ProJect Feasibility (IS%) In usessing the feasibility of each appGcation, reviewers will focus on six issues: the technical apptoach, ihe qualifications of ihe project staSf, ihe proposed budget, the implementation schedule, plans for protecting privacy, and the applicant's plan for sustaining the project beyond the yant period. (t) In assessing technical aQgroach, revieivers will examine the degree to which the proposed sys[em would work and operate with other systems; technological alternatives that have been considered; designs for system maintenance and periodic upgrades; and planspro,ject expansioa Appticants are expected to make use of existing infrasWCture and commercially available telecommunications services, unless extraordinary circumstances require the construction of new network facilities. (2) In assessing the quatifications of the project team, reviewers will assess the applicant and its partners to deteanine if they have the resources, expertisq and experience necessary to undeRake, evaluate, and complete the project and disseminate results within the proposed period. (3) Reviewers will ana�yze the budget in terms of clarity and cosLeffectiveness. The proposed budget shouid be appropriate to the tasks proposed and sufliciently detailed so that reviewers can easily undetstand ffie relationship of items in the budget to the project nanative. Notice - 8 � 4-34� Technobg7cS2pportunities Program (4) Reviewers also will usess the degree ro which the implemen[ation process is comprehensive, reasonable, and can be completed in the proposed time frame. (5) Reviewes will evaluate [he applicanPs plans to safeguard [he privacy of ihe projecPs end users and others affected by the project. (6) Finally, reviewers will examine the applicanYs strategies [o sustain the project aRer [he completion of the grant. 5. Community Invotvement (IS%) Each application will be rated on the overall level and breadth of community involvement in the development and 'unplementation of [he proposed project. Reviewers will: (1) analyze the applicanPs pazfierships to ensure that they include linkages among unaffiliated organizations (from the public, non-profit, or private sectors) u an ongoing and integal part of project planning and implementation. TOP considers partners to be organizations that supply cash or in-kind resources and/or play an active role in Ihe planning and implementation of [he project; (2) examine the steps the applicant has taken to include and sustain the invoivement of a variety of community stakeholders. Reviewers will look for evidence of demand, from the community, the rnd users, and the potential beneficiades, for the services proposed by the project; and (3) consider the degree of attention paid to the needs, skills, working conditions, and living environments of lhe targeted end users. Reviewers will consider the extent to which applicants involve sepresencatives from a broad cange of pocential use�s in both the design and implementation of the project and consider the varying degrees of abilities of all end users, including individuals with disabilities. Reviewers will also assess the degree to which the project addresses bamers which limit a community's or a group's access to digital network technotogies. Finally, reviewers will assess thc appficant's plans for training end users and upgrading their skills. 6. Evaluation (10%) Each application will bc rated on its proposed plans for evaluating the project. Reviewers will atsess the extent to which the applicanPs research or evaluation design: (I) provides for continuous feedback for project planning, unplementation, review and revision; (2) addresses ti�e problems, solutions, and anticipated outcomes described in the project puepose and yields vaGd and reliable findings; (3) captures lessons learned and su(ficient descriptive data so lhat others may easily adapt and replicate tk��groject; and (4) meets TOP's requirements for an independent evatuation as described in the "Reporting Requirements" section of Notice. Natice - 9 ORIGINAL RESOLUTION CITY Presented By Referred To L, MINNESOTA Committee: Date � 2 WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration 3(NTIA), has issued a request for grant applications under the Technology Opportunity Program (TOP) that 4 demonstrate innovative uses of high speed digital network technologies in underserved communities, and WHEREAS, The Saint Paul Department of Technology and Management Services has developed an innovative approach to market the use of digital technologies to underserved communities in partnership with the Saint Paul Schools, and other community based organizations, and 10 WHEREAS, the innovative program, titled: Primin the HiQh Speed Pumn, is intended to encourage the use of high 11 speed technology to serve new immigrant entrepreneurs and senior citizens of diverse ethnic heritage, and 12 13 WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Department of Technology and Management Services requests authorization to submit a 14 grant application for the program in partnership with the Saint Paul Schools in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000, 15 of which 50% must be "in kind" contributions from the participating organizations, now, therefore, be it 16 17 RESOLVED, that Mayor Norm Coleman, as Chief Executive Office of the City of Saint Paul, is hereby authorized 18 and directed to submit a 2001 Technology Opportunity Cnant Application to the U. S. Department of Commerce in 19 such form as prescribed by the regulations of said Department, and be it 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 FURTI�R RESOLVED, that the Mayor, or his designated representatives, are authorized to submit to the U.S. Department of Commerce any assurances, certifications, or technical supporting inforrnation that may be required by the U. S. Department of Commerce during their review of the City's application for Federal Assistance. Adopted by Council: Date M.� ,��a ofl� Adoption Certified by Council Secretary � �_ i ' �- - ��'�� y 1 /�il'//i� i�J'.///% �ii,r�i�� i��/��ii/ Requested by Department of: Technology and Management Services gY: �.^� Form r ed by City Atto By: � Approved by Mayor for Su mission to Councal By: ��(� � Council File � O \ �.l`(e Resolution # Green sheet � j03R IR' Department of TMS Robert Kessler 266-8799 be on by: GREEN SHEET No . 103818 0�-� Date: March 9, 2001 CLIP ALL LOCATIONS CTION REQUESTED: Approval of the submission o£ a Grant Application to the US , epartment of Commerce to fund a demonstration program to remove barriers thati imit the use of hiqh speed diqital networks by under served communities. ! APPROVE (A1 OR REJECT (R) iNING COMMISSION CIVIL SERVICE COMF7ISSI0 COMMITTEE BUSINESS REVIEW COUNCIL F 'RICT COURT WHICH CWNCIL OBJ£CTIVB4 SERVICt: CONTRTGTS DfOST At15C1ER THE FOLLOWIN6: Has the person/firm ever worked under a contract foz this department7 YES NO Has this person/firm ever been a City employee4 YES NO Does [his person/firm possess a skill not normally possessed by any Current City employee? YES NO .ain a11 YES anavers on a separate aLaet aad attach. ITY (Who, What, , why): ny residents of lower income neighborhoods in Saint Paul do not have the ility to access or use high speed networks. The Mayor and City Council have t ambitious goals to increase the level of the use of technology in the ty, and this demonstration grant is intended to show that this can be done eatively through the promotion of small business assistance and the velopment of oral historys from elderly immigrants, thus increasing literacy� and comfort with the Internet and its related software programs. � e grant will provide resources for the City to work in partnership with the int Paul Schools and other community based groups to expand access to high eed digital technology to demonstrate that technology can improve socio- onomic conditions and build a sense of community in araes with multigle apparent �� , k�,. ty will lose an opportunity to demonstrate a creative solution to the oblem of extending access to technology to underserved cdmmunities. AMOUNT OF TRANSACTION: Up to 51,000,000 COST/REVENUE BUDGETED YES NO SOURCE n�,�t,-.s. �� of City Funds: 2001 and 2002 TMS Budget. u INFORMATION: (EXPLAIN) (Background memo attached) Technology Oppartunity Grant - Outline 3-5-01 ��"� Project Title: Primin�The High Speed Pum� Project Purpose: Demonstrate the effective use of high speed networks in several targeted under served communities by removing barriers that limit the use and access to high speed digital network resources. Participation in the demonstration will be specifically marketed by promoting participation in two or three oral history pro,}ects and by the promotion of small business development assistance desig�ed to prepare new immigant entrepreneurs to use technology for business development. Project Strategy: The City of Saint Paul will work in collaboration with the School District (Hubbs Center), several community groups, and the private sector to market the use of the Internet to under served groups by generating participation in two projects: 1) Small business assistance to emerging entrepreneurs, and 2) the development of several oral history projects for new immigrant populations. Project Description: The 18 month demonstration project will consist of three to four sites in the community (Hubbs Center, Neighborhood House, andlor Merrick Center) where "hands on" assistance will be provided to teach people how to access information and use digital technology for either or both the oral history aspect or the business assistance aspect of the overall project. These three home sites would then reach out further into the community to provide the services envisioned. Oral History Programming Content: Since the 1990 census, Saint Paul has seen a tremendous influx of New Americans, many of them refugees like the Vietnamese, Cambodian, Hmong, and Somali. Significant internal migration has also occurred, and the 2000 census will show a significant increase in the number of African American and Hispanic American residents in Saint Paul. What all ofthese groups share is an interest in roots, something particularly important in refugees that come from an oral tradition where the eiders who have direct memory of the homeland are aging and disappearing. Small Business Assistance Programming Content: Many new immigrants are entrepreneurial and seek ways to develop and open businesses. In doing so they encounter many obstacles due to language and cultural differences, and they have special difficulty understanding the rules and regulations that govein businesses in the US. The concept is to bring these entrepreneurs together with business development experts to use high speed digital resources for training and assistance. Program Partners: The Priming the High Speed Pump Project would bring together a variety of organizarions, some of which would be funded with the grant, some of which would allocate staff to the project, some of which would host project activities, and all of which would be used to generate the required match. o� -�� Q � O a� �� M Q � � � Z � � m _ � _ ~ •� a1,_ c � �a � 1.� � o 0 0 0 0 o a o 0 � O�f N t�n r rn u 6 � < � y O O O O O O O O O O O O � M � l`') O 00 ��fl LL � � � L � 0 0 � 0 � 0 0 0 � O O O O O O O O C (�O N N n O c�0 7 I�+ Y r� c w U o c �+ Y � c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 c o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 � o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 E � rn c v � ° m v rn a � � � N � C � 3 N N ,� � � i� O V C � 'C H N � r � N `° '� n y w a� � � � x '� a�i o `m �c a�i � r � � V 3 n � U N cQ N � O. °_' a` ti H m H in = in 0 0 0 � � � N N O F o�-�� Technolow Opport�nities Progrom Billing Code 3510-60-M U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Telecommunications and Information Administration DOCKET NUMBER: 981203295-0355-OS RIN: 0660-ZA06 CFDA: 11.552 Technology Opportunities Program AGENCY: National Tetecommunications and Information Administration, Commerce ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administrstion (NTIA) issues this Natrce describing thc conditions under which applicalions will be received under the Technology OppoRUnities Program (TOP) and how NTIA will determine which applications it will fund. TOP promotes the widespread availability and use of digital network technotogies in the public and non- profit scefors. To accomplish this objectivc, TOP provides matching grants to state, local, and tribal govemments and non-profit entities for model projects that dcmonstrate innovativc uses of digital network technologies in undcrserved communities. T6P projects address specific challenges and ccalize opportunities in such azeas as lifelong leaming, communiry and economic development, govemment and public services, safety, health, and culture and the aets. Notice - I o�-ac� F1' 2007 Notice of Availability of Funds DATES: Complete applications for the Fiscal Year 2001 TOP gran[ progrun must be mailed or hand-carried to the address indicated below and received by NT1A no tater than 8:00 P.IDI. EST, March 22, 2001. ADDRESSES: Applications must be mailed to: Technology Opportunicies Program Nafional Telecommunications and Information Administration U.S. Deparhnent of Commerce � 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW HCHB, Room 4092 Washington, DC 20230 or hand-delivered to: Technology Opportunities Program . Nationai Teiecommunications and Infortnation Administration U.S. Depar�nent of Commerce HCHB, Room I874 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20230 Room 1874 is located at entrance q 10 on I 5'" S Veet NW, between Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Stephcn J. Downs, Dvector of the Technotogy Opportunities Progrun. Telephone: 202-482-2048; fax: 202-501-5136; e-maii: top@ntia.doc.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: th ri Consolidated Appropriations Act for FY2001, Public Law No: 106-553. Notice - 2 o � -a�� Technology Opportunifies Program �Jipible Organizallons All non-ptofit entities (including, but not limited to, non-profit community-based organiu[ions, non-profit heaith caze providers, public health institurions, schools, libraries, museums, colieges, universities, public safety providers) and state, local, and tribal govemments are eligible to apply. Although individuals and for-profit organizations are no[ eligible to apply, they aze encouraged to pazticipate as project partners. Funding Availability Approximately $42.5 million is available for federal assistance. A small amount of fiu1ds that have been deobligated from gcants awazded in previous fiscal years may also be available for Fiscal Year 2001 grants. Based on past experience, NTTA expects this yeaz's grant round to be very competifive. In Fiscal Year 2000, A'TIA received over 660 appfications collectively requesting morc than $270 million in federal funds. From these applications, the Department of Commerce announced 35 awards totaling $13.9 million in federal funds. �1�.'F�.TiGI: u � _ � An applicant may request up to a total of $900,000 in funds from NT'IA. TOP expects the federal amounts awarded to range from $20Q000 to $900,000, with an average of approximately $500,000. MatchinE Funds Requirements Grant recipients under this program will be required to provide matching funds towazd the total project cost. Applicants must document their capacity to provide matching funds. Matching funds may be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions. NTIA will provide up to 50 percent of the total project eost, unless the applicant can document extraordinary cireumstances wacranting a grant of up to 75 percent. Grant funds under this program are usually roleased in d'vect proportion to local matching funds utilized and documented as having been expended. Genernliy, federal funds may not be used as matching funds, except as provided by fedcral statute. !j you plan to use jundc jran a jedera! agency, you shonfd conlac( lhejedera[ agencylha( adminislera fhe jund.c in queslinn and ob�ain doaunentalion jram (ha! agenty'.c O�ce ojGenera! Counsel !o suppor! [he use ojjedera! fund.c jor malching purposes. Notice - 3 Ol-�� F1' 2007 Notice of Availability of Funds �ompleteness of Agplication TOP will initially review all applications to detertnine whether all requ'ued elements are present and clearly identifiable. The required elements are listed and described in the Guidelines jor Preparing Applicalions Fiscn[ Year 200I. Each of the requaed elements must be present and clearly identified Failure to do so may result in rejection of the application. A�olication Deadline As voted above, complete applications for the F'�scal Year 2001 TOP grant program must be received by NTIA no later than 8:00 P.M. EST, March 22, 2001. A postmark date is not sufticienL Applications wMch have been provided to a delivery service on or before March 21, 2001, with "delivery guaranteed" before 8:00 P.M. on Mazch 22, 2001, will be accepted for review if the applican[ can document that the application was provided to the delivery service with delivery to the address listed above guarenteed prior to the closing date and tune. Applications will not be accepted via facsimile machine transmission or electronic mail. NTIA anticipates that it will take approximately six months to complete the review of applications and make final funding decisions. Program FundinQ Priorities While access ro computers and the Intemet among underserved populations is increasing, effecHve use of digital network technologies continues to lag in underserved communities and the organi�ations that serve them.� Across the country, various groups of people and geographic communities face technological, economic, physicai, linguistic, or cultural barriers that limit or prevent their use of digital nelwork tectuiologies or vital services. Through TOP, NTIA provides underserved communities with opportunities to overcome these barriers and explore the benefits that emerging digital network tectmologies offer. TOP projects demonstrate creative uses of digital nctworks to address chaltenges in the public and non-profit sectors. All funded projccts must be interactivc in that they alfow end users to share infortnation with each other or gain access to infortnation on an on-demand basis, as opposed to a one- way or broadcast basis? TOP supported projects must also involve communication and new partnerships among multiple unaTfiliated organizations or enable direct, interactive communication between an organization and the public it serves. � Recent NTIA-sponsored reports, including Falling Through the Net, TowarJDigita!lnclueion and liixmrica!!y Black Cofleges ond Universi[ies: An Asa•ec�ment ojNetworking and Conneclivity, provide more deEails on the levels of access among specific communities. These reports are accessible via NTIP.'s home page at http://www.ntia.doc.gov. � M"end uset' is an individual who dimetly utifius the network [echnology. Notice - 4 0�-��6 Technoloqy Opportunities Program - Fundamental to any TOP project is the applicant's vision of how to use nehvorks to address specific challenges and realize opportunities in such areas as lifelong leaming, community and economic development, govemment and pubGc services, safery, health, and culture and the arts. Rather than simply requesting funds to build capacity or upgade existing equipment, each applicafion should describe a project that identifies specific problems, proposes creative solutions, and postufatu measurable outcomes. As a nafional program, TOP emphasizes innovation, tearning, and d�usion of new ideas and pracrical lmowledge. Each TOP-supported project must be innovative in the sense that it represents a departuie from how other communities and groups across the country are using network technology to address pressing challenges. Each TOP project should yield new insights into how best to use network technology and offer opportunities to learn what works well and what doesn't. Because these grants will serve as national models for other communities, NTIA expects each project to include provisions for thorough evaluations that wil! provide valid and reliable data as well as valuable lessons leamed to be shazed with others interested in the project. For the FY 2001 grant competitioq TOP is especially interested in projects ihat involve: • broadband technologies that bring very high-speed communications direcdy to end users; • mobile wireless communication technotogies that o(fer end users greater flexibility in how, where, and when they access infortnation; • empowering end users [o move beyond passive infortnation consumption to become valued contributors to the development, modification, and expansion of shared information resoumes•; • emerging data sharing techniques that facilitatc the seamless and secure exchange of infortnation across organizational boundaries; and • sustainable strategies to pool community demand to support the widespread availabiliry of digital nctwork services. As in past years, TOP is also especially interested in projects devetoped by smaller, locally-based organizations that both serve and icpresent underserved communities across the nation. For e�campie, these organizations may include but are not limited to: community-based organizations; small non- profits; colleges and universities serving mral communities; Minority Serving Institutions (Historicaily Black Colleges and Universitics, Hispanic Scrving Institutions, and Tribal Collcges and Universities); and organizations representing Empowerment Zones and Entcepdse Communities. In previous fiscal years, NTIA suppodcd planning projects whose primary goal was to develop strntegies for the dcvelopment of network technologies. Thc emphasis for Fiscal Year 2001 is on 3 Fot e�cample, once isolated communities now use Intemet technology ta collect and express their histories; children fiave become agents of communiry change as they have used cetwork technology ro collect infoimation, provide analysis, and contribute ta the public policy dialogue in their coromunities; and citizens aze exploring the creation of databases which enrich the resoumes made available by local and state govemments. Notice - S o � .a�� FY 2001 Notice of Availability of Funds projects that deve%p and vse nehvork technologies. NTIA will, however, suppoR projects [hat incorporate some planning activi[ies as pazt of the proposed ptoject. I,imitations on Project Scooe Each TOP project is expected to include a[ange of activities that support project development, unplementa[ion, and evaluation. However, TOP wi(! nnt suppart projectx wHose primary purpa.ee is to develop hazdwaze or softwaze, to provide iraining on the use of the network technologies, or to build voice-bazed systems. Details on these restrictions are discussed below. (I) Hardware or Sotlware Devetopment Projects. $ome projects may require l'united sottware development or the wstomization or modification of eacisting sottwaze or hudwaze in order to meet particulaz end-vser requ'vements or to enable the exchange of infocmation across networks. However, the creation of a sotiwaze or hazdware product cannol be a project's primary pwpose. (2) Training Projects. While TOP dces consider training ro be an essential aspect of most projects, TOP wilf not support projects whose primary purpose is ro provide tcaining in Ihe use of'soflware applications, Intemet use, or other use of network technologies. (3) Voicc-based Systems. Two-way, interactive voice nelworks aze an unportant element of the existing network systems. Voice as a means for conveying information and voice input tools p�ay critical roles in enswing people with disabilities have access to network technology. However, TOP wi![ no! suppoR projects whote primary purpose is lo either build or install voice-based communication nehvorks such as call centen, hvo-way radio netwocks, enhanoed-9S S and �l l systems, or 800 MHZ radio systems. Notice - 6 o�.a�� TecNnology Opport�nities Program Review Criteria Reviewen will review and rete each application using the Following criteria. The relative weights of each criterion aze identified in parentheses. 1. Project Purpose (20%) Each application should describe a cleazly defined projed that focuses on underserved communifies. In this criterion, reviewers willjudge each application on (1) [he overell design of the project and (2) the degfee to which i[ provides opportunities for undesserved communities. In assessing the projec[ design, reviewers will examine the degtee to which the applicant clearly: deFines the problem(s) within the community to be served and describes its severity; proposes creative and praccical means of addressing the community's problem(s) employing digital nehvork technologies; and identifies anticipated outcomes and that aze both realistic and measurable. Reviewers will also assess ihe degree to which an applicant convincingty links the three major elements—problem(s), solution(s), and outcome(s). Reviewers will usess the degree to which t(ie project targets underserved communities and populations, and the degree to which the proposed project will address the circumstances and chalienges (such as poverty, low literacy, disabilities, high unemployment, low educational achievement, high crime rate, poor health status, etc.) they face. 2. Innovation (20%) Reviewers will assess innovation by examining both �he technology to be used and the appfication of technology in a particutar setS�B, �� serve a particu(ar poputatioq or to solve a particulaz problem. TOP defines innovation broad(y. For example, projects that involve imaginative partnerships, the introducfion of new busincss processes dcsigned to offer more effectivt serviccs, untested strategies for overcoming access barricrs, or ncw techniques that transform inter-organizational relationships can all bc considercd innovative. TOP encourages applicants to experiment with leading edge technologies. It is, however, the creativity behind the apptication of t6e technotogy to meet community needs that ultimatcly detcrmines the levcl of innovation. Using their experience in thcir respective fields, reviewers will examine each project in a national context and evaluate (1 j how an application compares with, complements, and improves on the existing base of knowtedge and project practices and (2) what insight(s) ihe proposed project could add to what is known about using digital nctwork tcchnology as a solution to problems in its particular Ficld. Notice - 7 o � - �� FY 2007 Notice of Availabiliry of Funds 3. Diffus'ron Potential (20°/a) The innovafions and appmaches to bedemonstreted in any proposed pmject should contain the poten[ial to be diffused broadly throughout the country. NTIA expects that each awazded project will serve az a model for other cummunities to follow. To assess this potential for difi'usion, reviewers will consider four factms: (1) the degee to which the problem identified by the applicant is common to many communities; (2) the relative advantage of the projecPs innovations over established approaches to addressing the specified problems; (3) the ease of repfication and adaptation, based on considerations such as cost and complexity; and (4) the app�canPs plans and budget resources dedicated to disseminate actively the lrnowledge gained from the project's successes and failures. 4. ProJect Feasibility (IS%) In usessing the feasibility of each appGcation, reviewers will focus on six issues: the technical apptoach, ihe qualifications of ihe project staSf, ihe proposed budget, the implementation schedule, plans for protecting privacy, and the applicant's plan for sustaining the project beyond the yant period. (t) In assessing technical aQgroach, revieivers will examine the degree to which the proposed sys[em would work and operate with other systems; technological alternatives that have been considered; designs for system maintenance and periodic upgrades; and planspro,ject expansioa Appticants are expected to make use of existing infrasWCture and commercially available telecommunications services, unless extraordinary circumstances require the construction of new network facilities. (2) In assessing the quatifications of the project team, reviewers will assess the applicant and its partners to deteanine if they have the resources, expertisq and experience necessary to undeRake, evaluate, and complete the project and disseminate results within the proposed period. (3) Reviewers will ana�yze the budget in terms of clarity and cosLeffectiveness. The proposed budget shouid be appropriate to the tasks proposed and sufliciently detailed so that reviewers can easily undetstand ffie relationship of items in the budget to the project nanative. Notice - 8 � 4-34� Technobg7cS2pportunities Program (4) Reviewers also will usess the degree ro which the implemen[ation process is comprehensive, reasonable, and can be completed in the proposed time frame. (5) Reviewes will evaluate [he applicanPs plans to safeguard [he privacy of ihe projecPs end users and others affected by the project. (6) Finally, reviewers will examine the applicanYs strategies [o sustain the project aRer [he completion of the grant. 5. Community Invotvement (IS%) Each application will be rated on the overall level and breadth of community involvement in the development and 'unplementation of [he proposed project. Reviewers will: (1) analyze the applicanPs pazfierships to ensure that they include linkages among unaffiliated organizations (from the public, non-profit, or private sectors) u an ongoing and integal part of project planning and implementation. TOP considers partners to be organizations that supply cash or in-kind resources and/or play an active role in Ihe planning and implementation of [he project; (2) examine the steps the applicant has taken to include and sustain the invoivement of a variety of community stakeholders. Reviewers will look for evidence of demand, from the community, the rnd users, and the potential beneficiades, for the services proposed by the project; and (3) consider the degree of attention paid to the needs, skills, working conditions, and living environments of lhe targeted end users. Reviewers will consider the extent to which applicants involve sepresencatives from a broad cange of pocential use�s in both the design and implementation of the project and consider the varying degrees of abilities of all end users, including individuals with disabilities. Reviewers will also assess the degree to which the project addresses bamers which limit a community's or a group's access to digital network technotogies. Finally, reviewers will assess thc appficant's plans for training end users and upgrading their skills. 6. Evaluation (10%) Each application will bc rated on its proposed plans for evaluating the project. Reviewers will atsess the extent to which the applicanPs research or evaluation design: (I) provides for continuous feedback for project planning, unplementation, review and revision; (2) addresses ti�e problems, solutions, and anticipated outcomes described in the project puepose and yields vaGd and reliable findings; (3) captures lessons learned and su(ficient descriptive data so lhat others may easily adapt and replicate tk��groject; and (4) meets TOP's requirements for an independent evatuation as described in the "Reporting Requirements" section of Notice. Natice - 9