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Help Spend Seven Billion: Become An Unpaid Reviewer
Tuesday, 28 July 2009 02:04

uncle-sam-wants-youUncle Sam needs you! to read the applications for broadband grants and point out some of the obvious problems. It's an unpaid volunteer job, but Larry Strickling assures "you will be making a significant contribution to enhancing broadband services throughout the United States."

Please do join and take an active role unless you have a conflict of interest. The rules (below) on conflict will exclude some of us. A huge percentage of the applications I'm seeing are for two and even four times what they should cost and there's no evidence the powers that be know enough to catch the waste. db

July 10, 2009
Call for Reviewers
Broadband Technology Opportunities Program
Help America Advance its National Objective of Broadband Access for All


The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce is soliciting experts to evaluate grant proposals for the $4.7 billion Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP), an important part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
NTIA is accepting applications for its first round of BTOP grants from July 14, 2009 until August 14, 2009, and will conduct panel reviews through at least the end of September, 2009. As a reviewer, your evaluations will be an important factor considered by NTIA in determining whether to award grant funding. To be considered as a reviewer you must have significant expertise and experience in at least one of the following areas: 1) the design, funding, construction, and operation of broadband networks or public computer centers; 2) broadband-related outreach, training, or education; and 3) innovative programs to increase the demand for broadband services. In addition you must agree to comply with Department of Commerce policies on conflict of interest and confidentiality.
We are committed to ensuring that reviewers come from diverse backgrounds and areas of the United States. Please feel free to circulate this “Call for Reviewers” to other individuals or organizations that may be sources of qualified reviewers.
To apply to be a panel reviewer for BTOP, please email a resume containing the information below toBTOPReviewers@ntia.doc.gov:

Name

Residence (city and state)

Email/phone number

Employer

Position/Title

Years and types of experience and positions in fields related to BTOP activities
NTIA will examine and approve reviewer applications on a first-come, first-served basis. Approved reviewers will be contacted to schedule participation in a webinar orientation session and teleconference panel reviews.
Although there will be no direct reimbursement for your time and expertise, you may be assured that you will be making a significant contribution to enhancing broadband services throughout the United States. We appreciate the valuable contribution you will be making to the success of BTOP and look forward to working with you as a reviewer. If you have questions, please send them by email to: BTOPReviewers@ntia.doc.gov. For additional information, please see http://www.broadbandusa.gov/

 

 

 

conflict of interest and that my particular circumstances are not likely to raise the appearance of a financial conflict of interest, impropriety, or the appearance of impairment of objectivity with respect to any BTOP application I am asked to review or on which I am asked to comment.
For purposes of this agreement, I understand that a financial conflict of interest may arise from my employment, stock ownership, a creditor or debtor relationship, or prospective employment with an applicant. An appearance of impairment of objectivity could result from, an organizational conflict of interest where, because of other activities or relationships with other persons or entities, I am unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance or advice to the Government. It could also result from a non-financial gain to me or other persons or entities, such as benefit to reputation or prestige in a professional field.
I also recognize that I will be considered to have a financial or other interest, and therefore a conflict of interest, if any of the following persons or entities has a financial or other interest in a BTOP application I am asked to review or comment on:
(1) I, my spouse, minor child, or general partner;
(2) A profit or nonprofit organization in which I serve as an officer, director, trustee, general partner, or employee; or
(3) Any person or organization with which I am negotiating or have an arrangement concerning employment, including consultancy, or a past employer (within the last year).
2
I understand that my status as a reviewer shall not preclude my employer from applying for BTOP funds. I understand and agree that I will not serve as a reviewer on any BTOP application filed for a project in a State in which my employer has applied for a BTOP grant, and if my employer is a broadband service provider, I will not serve as a reviewer on any BTOP application filed by an entity located within a State in which my employer is located or does business whether or not my employer has filed a BTOP application. I recognize that this certification is a continuing representation. I acknowledge that it is in effect at all times until I have completed all of the work performed by me under this agreement. If I discover that I might have a conflict of interest, might present a conflict of interest, or might have an appearance of impairment of objectivity with any application within the competition, I will immediately inform the appropriate Program official and refrain from further Work as a reviewer until authorized to continue. I also understand that my views as a non Governmental peer reviewer will be protected from disclosure to the extent permitted by law. Name: _______________________________________ Signature: ____________________________________ Date: __________________________