Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Kicker Funding
Important Information
The deadline for Project Proposals for 2021 is May 3rd. (This has been postponed to June 3rd.)
Executive Director's Response to Frontier’s Request for Extension on May 3, 2021 Deadline
Executive Director's Response to Geolink's Request for Extension on May 3, 2021 Deadline
Program Overview
The Public Utilities Commission adopted a process to use the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) to leverage federal Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) Phase 1 auction funds, also known as Kicker funds. This page and materials outline the process for requesting Kicker funds.
State Support Available
Kicker funds are available at two levels (Level 1 and Level 2); 10% each for a maximum of 20%.
The CASF RDOF Kicker Program also includes letter of credit assistance for kicker funding recipients requesting it. This includes a letter describing state funding availability to satisfy the letter of credit requirement by RDOF or the transfer of Kicker funds to fulfill letter of credit requirements and other financing commitments.
Project Development Resources
Requirements, Guidelines, and Application Materials
CASF RDOF Kicker Application Manual revised Nov 2021
CASF RDOF Kicker Application and Checklist
Data & Maps for project planning and infrastructure grant applications.
Eligible Applicants and Projects
RDOF Phase 1 (Auction 904) award recipients that meet the Kicker requirements including deployment of gigabit-capable infrastructure are eligible.
Census blocks with RDOF awards and nearby census blocks that are eligible for CASF but not RDOF are eligible. Nearby census blocks are defined as being adjacent to or in a logical path leading to census blocks with RDOF awards.
Projects must provide gigabit-capable network infrastructure with either the last mile or middle mile components designated for open access. Decision 21-01-003 directs staff to post a list of technologies presumed to be gigabit-capable. Presumed gigabit-capable technologies are fiber to the premises networks and hybrid fiber-coaxial DOCSIS 3.1 (or later) network infrastructure. Requests for projects using other technologies must include evidence of gigabit capabilities to all locations for the specific project.
Requirement to Apply for Nearby CASF-only eligible households
To receive Kicker funds a requesting provider must submit an application or applications to serve households in census blocks nearby the RDOF awarded census blocks that are eligible only for the California Advanced Services Fund. Decision 21-01-003 specified up to $25 million is to be set-aside as grant funds for "Nearby" applications. Information on submitting a CASF-only nearby Application is here.
Applying for Funds
- To apply for CASF Infrastructure Grant Funding, email CASF_Application_Questions@cpuc.ca.gov
- Applications must also be submitted to raisa.ledesma@cpuc.ca.gov at the Public Advocates Office
Applicants may also mail a separate paper copy to:
Communications Division
Attn: California Advanced Services Fund
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
-and-
Public Advocates Office
Re: California Advanced Services Fund
California Public Utilities Commission
505 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, CA 94102
Once the proposed project has been submitted, applicants must post their project summary to the distribution list.
Project Proposals and Funded Projects
Funded Projects
December 7, 2022
Connect Anza Phase III - CPUC awards Anza Electric Cooperative, Inc. up to $205,125.60 in RDOF Kicker grant funding.
Questions?
Please contact us at CASF_Application_Questions@cpuc.ca.gov