Comments for BTOP Reviewer http://www.btopreviewer.com Mike O'Connor, blogging about BTOP reviewer stuff Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:50:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Signing Off by Ertlmeier http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=36&cpage=1#comment-205 Ertlmeier Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:50:09 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=36#comment-205 I just got another 6 more to review. Now that I know how their process goes I can follow a bit but you are correct as there was a lag in beginning of an assumption. They are still using volunteers as I worked on 3 early on and I was notified there are now 6 more in my box to review. As mentioned earlier on another comment Booz was our moderator on 3 of the ones I worked on. But I did have a call from DC the other day talking about completion. I really believe if they do use volunteers in the training they need to specifically lay out the project plan and approximate timeline so that they can ensure all understands. I would have also liked to know what was next on the first 3 that I completed with the team I was on after our round of discussion. I just got another 6 more to review. Now that I know how their process goes I can follow a bit but you are correct as there was a lag in beginning of an assumption. They are still using volunteers as I worked on 3 early on and I was notified there are now 6 more in my box to review. As mentioned earlier on another comment Booz was our moderator on 3 of the ones I worked on. But I did have a call from DC the other day talking about completion. I really believe if they do use volunteers in the training they need to specifically lay out the project plan and approximate timeline so that they can ensure all understands. I would have also liked to know what was next on the first 3 that I completed with the team I was on after our round of discussion.

]]> Comment on Still no word from BTOP, but there sure is a lot going on by Ertlmeier http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-204 Ertlmeier Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:43:06 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=34#comment-204 My group completed our review of 3 large middle-mile applications and have delivered the results to NTIA. I am working on 6 more. The only thing I would say is that I expected during the panel review to have NTIA but instead had Booz. I would say there does need to be a lead in the beginning to setup a timeline because I kept sending them notes asking what the plan was. A plan in place probably would have been better or if there was a plan more communicated. The team I was on has been fantastic. I hope the next teams are for the next 6 I am working on. My group completed our review of 3 large middle-mile applications and have delivered the results to NTIA. I am working on 6 more. The only thing I would say is that I expected during the panel review to have NTIA but instead had Booz. I would say there does need to be a lead in the beginning to setup a timeline because I kept sending them notes asking what the plan was. A plan in place probably would have been better or if there was a plan more communicated. The team I was on has been fantastic. I hope the next teams are for the next 6 I am working on.

]]> Comment on Still no word from BTOP, but there sure is a lot going on by Governor Pawlenty recommends broadband stimulus applications « Blandin on Broadband http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-197 Governor Pawlenty recommends broadband stimulus applications « Blandin on Broadband Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:18:15 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=34#comment-197 [...] don’t know how much weight the Governor’s list will have but being as the volunteer reviewers still seem to be in a holding pattern I have to think the States’ views are going to matter. So I [...] [...] don’t know how much weight the Governor’s list will have but being as the volunteer reviewers still seem to be in a holding pattern I have to think the States’ views are going to matter. So I [...]

]]> Comment on Still no word from BTOP, but there sure is a lot going on by ron k jeffries http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=34&cpage=1#comment-150 ron k jeffries Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:44:38 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=34#comment-150 This post does not reflect current state of BTOP. My group completed our review of four large middle-mile applications and have delivered results to NTIA via the web site. This post does not reflect current state of BTOP. My group completed our review of four large middle-mile applications and have delivered results to NTIA via the web site.

]]> Comment on Headed for the ditch? by Stacy http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=32&cpage=1#comment-43 Stacy Wed, 16 Sep 2009 03:01:50 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=32#comment-43 Reading this post and the comment thread makes me feel better, or at least not alone. I also attended the training webinar, got the thank you note and haven't been able to raise them since. Only in my case, I was starting to wonder if they had dropped me because I asked for clarification as to the circumstances (if any) where a reviewer could later consult to a grant applicant. FTR the answer, as expected, was that even if you quit being a reviewer the conflict of interest rules continue to apply to you. Anyway the delays and lack of communication are disappointing, if perhaps not surprising. Good to get some additional perspectives! Reading this post and the comment thread makes me feel better, or at least not alone. I also attended the training webinar, got the thank you note and haven't been able to raise them since. Only in my case, I was starting to wonder if they had dropped me because I asked for clarification as to the circumstances (if any) where a reviewer could later consult to a grant applicant.

FTR the answer, as expected, was that even if you quit being a reviewer the conflict of interest rules continue to apply to you.

Anyway the delays and lack of communication are disappointing, if perhaps not surprising. Good to get some additional perspectives!

]]> Comment on Headed for the ditch? by Ron K Jeffries http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=32&cpage=1#comment-40 Ron K Jeffries Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:08:12 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=32#comment-40 The BTOP review process (or lack thereof) is puzzling. Like you, I participated in the initial web briefing, got a brief "thank you" note, then total silence. I've asked twice what is going on, no response. Oh well. The BTOP review process (or lack thereof) is puzzling.
Like you, I participated in the initial web briefing,
got a brief "thank you" note, then total silence.

I've asked twice what is going on, no response.

Oh well.

]]> Comment on Headed for the ditch? by Eric Lampland http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=32&cpage=1#comment-36 Eric Lampland Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:16:23 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=32#comment-36 What is clearly true is that we have, at least I have, no idea what's going on. But from posts here on Mike's blog and from general comments -- something is happening. Some people are getting apps to review, something is going to the states, and some of us (Mike, me, others) get trained and nothing more so far. I think one of the confusions is that the dates (like BIP's stage one 9-14 notification date for stage two) are getting confused with BTOP dates. And, I think NTIA is under real pressure from the volume of apps and volunteers. It is a lot to marshal after all. Perhaps the reason the states got the applications is that the NOFA requires them to review and reply within 20 days. So they send a blast out to them (unreviewed, agreed) just to start the clock. So as a reminder, I list here the two different processes (BIP and BTOP). They are different and I have been getting confused on things like expecting BTOP due diligence to begin on September 14 when it doesn't have too - that's BIP. Round One BIP .... 2 stage process: Stage One qualifies basic eligibility – targeted for Sept 14th Stage Two is a due diligence round – targeted for Early November Awards expected by year end, Contracts within 60 days Round One BTOP .... 2 Stage process (kind of): Initial screen examines for basic eligibility (done by NTIA) Stage One qualifies for both eligibility and evaluation criteria (done by three peer/experts review panel) Stage Two examines “most highly qualified” asked to submit information like “due diligence” (reviewed by NTIA) NTIA assigns a rating of 1 to 5 (5 is best: technical and budget weighted) States given 20 days to prioritize and explain selections Awards were expected in the same time frame as BIP (maybe) Of course, that said, they don't even reply to my emails. A guy can get a real inferiority complex What is clearly true is that we have, at least I have, no idea what's going on. But from posts here on Mike's blog and from general comments -- something is happening. Some people are getting apps to review, something is going to the states, and some of us (Mike, me, others) get trained and nothing more so far. I think one of the confusions is that the dates (like BIP's stage one 9-14 notification date for stage two) are getting confused with BTOP dates. And, I think NTIA is under real pressure from the volume of apps and volunteers. It is a lot to marshal after all.

Perhaps the reason the states got the applications is that the NOFA requires them to review and reply within 20 days. So they send a blast out to them (unreviewed, agreed) just to start the clock. So as a reminder, I list here the two different processes (BIP and BTOP). They are different and I have been getting confused on things like expecting BTOP due diligence to begin on September 14 when it doesn't have too - that's BIP.

Round One BIP .... 2 stage process:
Stage One qualifies basic eligibility – targeted for Sept 14th
Stage Two is a due diligence round – targeted for Early November
Awards expected by year end, Contracts within 60 days

Round One BTOP .... 2 Stage process (kind of):
Initial screen examines for basic eligibility (done by NTIA)
Stage One qualifies for both eligibility and evaluation criteria (done by three peer/experts review panel)
Stage Two examines “most highly qualified” asked to submit information like “due diligence” (reviewed by NTIA)
NTIA assigns a rating of 1 to 5 (5 is best: technical and budget weighted)
States given 20 days to prioritize and explain selections
Awards were expected in the same time frame as BIP (maybe)

Of course, that said, they don't even reply to my emails. A guy can get a real inferiority complex

]]> Comment on BTOP-process under review by Eric Lampland http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=23&cpage=1#comment-35 Eric Lampland Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:56:42 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=23#comment-35 On the matter of grants under BIP -- the only grants are for LAST MILE REMOTE (400M worth). It is clearly outlined in the NOFA. Last Mile non-remote and any middle mile applications must include loans either as a sole request or in combination with grants. In loan/grant combinations the grant cannot exceed 50% of the total request. On the other hand -- if you are in a rural area (75% rule) and you are seeking a BTOP grant, then you must submit to BIP first. So some applications -- intended for BTOP grants -- appear to be grant requests to BIP. They're not. They just have to be rejected by BIP first (so, if you ask for a LM non-remote grant, you will get rejected by BIP). Of course, those applications must state their intention and complete the BTOP portion (and of course, have 20% matching funds to their grant request). In my review of the application summaries, I have been somewhat taken aback by the idea that people spent many hours creating an application and little time reading the NOFA. On the matter of grants under BIP -- the only grants are for LAST MILE REMOTE (400M worth). It is clearly outlined in the NOFA. Last Mile non-remote and any middle mile applications must include loans either as a sole request or in combination with grants. In loan/grant combinations the grant cannot exceed 50% of the total request.

On the other hand -- if you are in a rural area (75% rule) and you are seeking a BTOP grant, then you must submit to BIP first. So some applications -- intended for BTOP grants -- appear to be grant requests to BIP. They're not. They just have to be rejected by BIP first (so, if you ask for a LM non-remote grant, you will get rejected by BIP). Of course, those applications must state their intention and complete the BTOP portion (and of course, have 20% matching funds to their grant request).

In my review of the application summaries, I have been somewhat taken aback by the idea that people spent many hours creating an application and little time reading the NOFA.

]]> Comment on Looks like I don’t get to be a reviewer by Reiner Mim http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=26&cpage=1#comment-32 Reiner Mim Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:30:39 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=26#comment-32 My panels / apps along with the Easygrant login credentials came in on the 11th, but no word from the panel coordinator yet (so I'm not clear on deadlines). If however my assignments were representive of the average, and assuming that it's going to be a 2-week process as NTIA initially indicated, it boils down to approximately 230 proposal pages per day. My panels / apps along with the Easygrant login credentials came in on the 11th, but no word from the panel coordinator yet (so I'm not clear on deadlines). If however my assignments were representive of the average, and assuming that it's going to be a 2-week process as NTIA initially indicated, it boils down to approximately 230 proposal pages per day.

]]> Comment on Looks like I don’t get to be a reviewer by Mike O'Connor http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=26&cpage=1#comment-30 Mike O'Connor Mon, 14 Sep 2009 22:28:56 +0000 http://www.btopreviewer.com/?p=26#comment-30 I love these updates Harold! They're the only info I'm getting. Keep 'em coming. :-) I love these updates Harold! They're the only info I'm getting. Keep 'em coming. :-)

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