129—22.4(8B) Applications for grant funds.
	22.4(1) Application process. Following the issuance of a NOFA by the office, communications service providers may apply to the office for grant funds for the installation of broadband infrastructure that facilitates broadband service in targeted service areas at or above the download and upload speeds specified in the definition of targeted service area. Applications shall be made and submitted in accordance with the terms of these rules and the NOFA.
	22.4(2) Contents of application. In addition to any other questions or requirements established by the NOFA, an application shall, at a minimum, include:
	a. 	The communications service provider’s legal and business name(s) and address(es);
	b. 	The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person authorized by the communications service provider to respond to inquiries regarding the application;
	c. 	The census block number(s) as provided on the statewide map referenced in rule 129—20.4(8B,427) for the targeted service area(s) forming the basis of the application/project (i.e., the targeted service area(s) in which the proposed installation of broadband infrastructure will facilitate broadband service at or above the download and upload speeds specified in the definition of targeted service area);
	d. 	Attestation that the broadband infrastructure installed will facilitate broadband service at or above the download and upload speeds specified in the definition of targeted service area;
	e. 	Unless a specific cost allocation methodology is identified or required by the office as set forth in the NOFA, the specific methods or formulas the communications service provider will utilize in allocating the costs of and for broadband infrastructure for which reimbursement may be sought in proportion to such infrastructure’s actual facilitation of broadband service at or above the download and upload speeds specified in the definition of targeted service area in the targeted service areas forming the basis of the project;
	f. 	An anticipated project completion date, which shall not exceed five years from the date the NOFA is issued. An applicant’s anticipated project completion date shall be used to determine whether a grantee’s failure to complete a project in a timely manner warrants a finding of noncompliance for purposes of subparagraph 22.6(4)“b”(2).
	22.4(3) Deadlines. The office will only consider applications received on or before the applicable deadline as stated in the NOFA, unless the office, in its sole discretion, establishes a different deadline for the submission of applications. The office may establish a different deadline for all applicants, but will not change the deadline for or at the request of any individual applicant.
	22.4(4) Confidentiality of contents of applications. The office’s release of public records is governed by 129—Chapter 2 and Iowa Code chapter 22. Applicants or other persons or parties submitting information to the office are encouraged to familiarize themselves with 129—Chapter 2 and Iowa Code chapter 22 before submitting applications or other information to the office. The office will copy and produce public records upon request as required to comply with Iowa Code chapter 22 and will treat all information submitted by applicants or other persons or parties as public, nonconfidential records unless an applicant or other person or party requests that specific parts of the evidence or information submitted be treated as confidential at the time of the submission to the office.
	a. 	In addition to any other administrative requirements established by the NOFA, an applicant or other person or party requesting confidential treatment of portions of an application or other information submitted to the office must:
	(1)	Fully complete and submit to the office Form 22 as provided by the office.
	(2)	Identify the request in the NOFA, or if other information is submitted to the office, identify the request in the transmittal email or cover letter for the written correspondence.
	(3)	Conspicuously mark the outside of any submission as containing confidential information.
	(4)	Mark each page upon which confidential evidence or information appears.
	(5)	Submit a public copy from which claimed confidential evidence and information has been excised. Confidential information must be excised in such a way as to allow the public to determine the general nature of the information removed and to retain as much of the otherwise public evidence and information as possible.
	b. 	Form 22 will not be considered fully complete unless, for each request for confidential treatment, the applicant or other person or party:
	(1)	Enumerates the specific grounds in Iowa Code chapter 22 or other applicable law that support treatment of the specific information as confidential.
	(2)	Justifies why the specific information should be maintained in confidence.
	(3)	Explains why disclosure of the specific information would not be in the best interest of the public.
	(4)	Sets forth the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the individual authorized by the applicant or other person or party submitting such information to respond to inquiries from the office concerning the confidential status of such information.
	c. 	Failure to request that information be treated as confidential as specified herein shall relieve the office and state personnel from any responsibility for maintaining the information in confidence. Applicants or other persons or parties may not request confidential treatment with respect to information specifically identified by the office in the NOFA as being subject to public disclosure. Blanket requests to maintain an entire application or all information otherwise submitted to the office as confidential will be categorically rejected.
	22.4(5) Limited exception for broadband infrastructure installed outside of targeted service areas. Rescinded IAB 8/14/19, effective 9/18/19.
[ARC 4098C, IAB 10/24/18, effective 11/28/18; ARC 4606C, IAB 8/14/19, effective 9/18/19]