Scott D. Woods, Esq.

As the House E&C Innovation, Data, and Commerce Subcommittee prepares for its markup session tomorrow for #APRA and #KOSA, the Communications and Technology Subcommittee held a session today on sunsetting Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. Among the witnesses, the magnificent Carrie Goldberg gave testimony on the clients she represents who have had their privacy invaded and suffered other catastrophic injuries. Even simply hearing about these cases is difficult, but these issues and this policy debate are so important. https://lnkd.in/g-_xWTbU

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Request for Proposals 2024: Frequently Asked Questions Our network is not officially registered. Can we still apply for funding? Yes, non-registered networks can apply via a Fiscal host. The fiscal host does not have to be a (former) recipient of Robert Carr Fund funds, doesn’t have to work in the same field as the applicant. However, the relationship between the network and the fiscal host must be clearly outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding. Have more questions about Request for Proposals application procedure? See FAQ Document: https://bit.ly/4b42aao Email your questions to: [email protected]

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G2X welcomes our #GovCom Unfiltered: The Podcast sponsor, Vultron! Vultron enables organizations to produce high quality federal proposals in less time by streamlining proposal development. Our customers are experiencing incredible results, such as a 72% reduction in drafting time and a 54% reduction in total proposal costs. Vultron does the work for you, by analyzing each solicitation to extract requirements and produce a compliant template and first draft. They intelligently synthesize your materials into the draft at your direction, and work with you to refine and polish until it’s ready for gold team review. Materials can include diagrams, capabilities, black hat intelligence, solutions, and win themes. Last minute changes or additions are no problem for Vultron, even when you’re down to the wire. Be sure to check out all the latest #GovCom Unfiltered: The Podcast episodes by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/gJcRCUdy Noura Bashshur | Alexa Tsui #proposals #development #analysis #wins 

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The recent announcement by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) marks a significant milestone as the nation's single largest investment in digital equity ever. As we approach the expiration of the federal internet subsidy, the focus shifts to how states will implement their digital equity plans. As we explore diverse strategies, it's inspiring to see initiatives such as Colorado's commitment to creating a "sustainable device ecosystem" to make more devices available. This includes developing refurbishing centers and providing incentives for people to donate devices to be refurbished. Digitunity's mission aligns with these initiatives, emphasizing accessible and sustainable digital resources. We champion strategies that not only provide immediate relief but also foster long-term sustainability, encouraging a broader discussion about replicable models for digital equity. Let's share how these funded plans can catalyze significant advancements in digital equity and how we can collectively support these efforts. #DigitalEquityPlans #SustainableDeviceEcosystem #Refurbishers

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Today is the last day for full benefits of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which makes broadband access more economically feasible, fostering greater participation in the digital economy and contributing to the overall economic development of Black communities. This program is especially beneficial in Black communities, where the need for affordable connectivity is high. Our analysis found that from 2015-2019, about one in five Black students lacked home broadband access. As we move forward, it’s essential to continue supporting and enhancing initiatives like the ACP to ensure that no one is left behind in our increasingly connected world. Read more about broadband access and adoption research here: https://lnkd.in/e4qu4qRG

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Post #2 on the federal budget 2024 from Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) research staff: Highlights of new spending: o  Using federal lands to accelerate new housing: requiring departments and agencies to offer parcels of lands; plan to introduce legislation to facilitate acquisition of public lands for homes; $500M/5yrs for a new Public Lands Acquisition Fund; establishing a Public Lands Acquisition Council to identify parcels of land for housing; starting with Canada Post properties, National Defence lands, and repurposing of PSPC offices. If implemented effectively, this has significant potential to generate affordable housing (that will hopefully align with Affordability Action Council recommendations to build future-ready housing that is energy efficient, resilient to a changing climate, and near public transit). o  Canada Disability Benefit: Act to be passed in June 2024 and payments to begin July 2025, with $2400 per year maximum benefit for about 600,000 eligible people. Overall cost is estimated at around $5 billion/ 5yrs. Fingers crossed that this can role out as planned as it is badly needed. o  Consultations forthcoming: new tax on residentially zoned vacant land; National Caregiving Strategy; survey on interprovincial trade to identify top barriers; return of funds from fuel charge to Indigenous communities. Things to watch in 2024. o  Student loan forgiveness for care and health workers in rural and remote communities: Increased scope of student loan forgiveness to include early childhood educators, and a broader range of health workers. Hopefully effective in helping to address worker shortages. o  Research funding: Significant funding for enhancing research and researchers (I suspect academic friends of the IRPP will be very excited about these): - new capstone research funding organization overlaying NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR (federal granting councils) that will support internationally collaborative, multi-disciplinary and mission-driven research. - a new advisory council on science and innovation that will include academic, industry and not-for-profit sectors and develop a national science and innovation strategy to guide priority setting. - higher pay for post-secondary scholarships, with doctoral support rising from $20,000 under SSHRC to $40,000 per year. Post-docs rise from $45,000 for SSHRC to $70,000. Very meaningful increases at a time when cost of living is a major concern. o  Passenger rail: $462 million over 5 years for Via Rail network operations and commitment to replace aging fleet and renew Remote Passenger Rail funding. This is in line with recommendations from the Affordability Action Council, and will hopefully help address gaps in access to transportation in many areas of Canada. More to come in subsequent post..

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Love this from Larra Clark on digital inclusion: "I also want to re-emphasize the skills and lifelong learning element. Access is a foundational first step or gateway, but it’s not enough on its own… there is a national shift in perspective to develop an expectation and accessible pathways for lifelong learning. Of course, I believe libraries — and schools and other community anchor institutions — are an essential part of how we get there.” https://lnkd.in/edF6a3U2 There are 2,400 American Job Centers in the US, and 17,000 public libraries. We truly need everyone to meet the digital skills needs of 330+ million Americans! American Library Association

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The National Telecommunications and Information Administration #NTIA on Wednesday opened applications for the $1 Billion #DigitalInclusionGrantProgram, which state, local and tribal governments can apply to and receive funding for expanding public access to digital resources like broadband and internet-connected devices. The program, which is the first funding opportunity from the Digital Equity Act’s $1.25 billion Competitive Grant Program, is also the third of three digital equity programs authorized by the 2021 infrastructure law. In total, the NTIA’s #DigitalEquityAct has provided $2.75 billion to the three grant programs, which along with the Digital Inclusion Grant Program includes the $60 million State Digital Equity Planning Grant Program and the $1.44 billion State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. All 50 states, Washington, D.C., and five U.S. territories had their digital equity plans approved this year. “Thanks to President Biden’s #BipartisanInfrastructureLaw, the Department of Commerce is making historic investments to ensure that every American has access to affordable high-speed internet as well as the tools and resources needed to be successful online,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a news release. “President Biden’s digital equity initiative will make the promise of the Internet a reality for everyone in our country, no matter their background. With additional access and expanded skillsets, more families will be able to thrive in our modern economy by getting an education, expanding their businesses or staying connected to their communities online.”

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ICYMI: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) discussed the next stage in the Digital Equity Act grant programs and how states, local governments, tribal entities, & others can reduce barriers to digital equity in their communities. The webinar & slides are here: https://bit.ly/3yt1GfD #ConnectedNation

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Building on the idea of setting big goals for housing production, I wrote about a specific recommendation for linking transportation funding to housing production. https://lnkd.in/eFBhz5w2

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G2X welcomes our #GovCom Unfiltered sponsor, Vultron! Vultron enables organizations to produce high quality federal proposals in less time by streamlining proposal development. Our customers are experiencing incredible results, such as a 72% reduction in drafting time and a 54% reduction in total proposal costs. Vultron does the work for you, by analyzing each solicitation to extract requirements and produce a compliant template and first draft. They intelligently synthesize your materials into the draft at your direction, and work with you to refine and polish until it’s ready for gold team review. Materials can include diagrams, capabilities, black hat intelligence, solutions, and win themes. Last minute changes or additions are no problem for Vultron, even when you’re down to the wire. Be sure to check out all the latest #GovCom Unfiltered episodes by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/gJcRCUdy Noura Bashshur | Alexa Tsui #proposals #development #analysis #wins 

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G2X welcomes our #GovCom Unfiltered sponsor, Vultron! Vultron enables organizations to produce high quality federal proposals in less time by streamlining proposal development. Our customers are experiencing incredible results, such as a 72% reduction in drafting time and a 54% reduction in total proposal costs. Vultron does the work for you, by analyzing each solicitation to extract requirements and produce a compliant template and first draft. They intelligently synthesize your materials into the draft at your direction, and work with you to refine and polish until it’s ready for gold team review. Materials can include diagrams, capabilities, black hat intelligence, solutions, and win themes. Last minute changes or additions are no problem for Vultron, even when you’re down to the wire. Be sure to check out all the latest #GovCom Unfiltered episodes by clicking here: https://lnkd.in/gJcRCUdy Noura Bashshur | Alexa Tsui #proposals #development #analysis #wins

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For anyone wondering what impact President Biden’s commitment to #equity is having on the ground, here’s an important data point: The $3.3 billion just awarded under the Reconnecting Communities program. When our nation built the federal highway system, our leaders put expressways through the heart of thriving communities – predominantly Black and low-income neighborhoods. Houses were razed, businesses were shuttered, and over 1 million people were displaced. Afterward, the remaining residents had to cross dangerous thoroughfares or travel many more miles to get to their job, school, grocery store, doctor’s office, or place of worship. Disinvestment deepened. As Deborah Archer and others have shown, a combination of federal, state, and local officials made these infrastructure decisions, often, based explicitly on race. Sometimes, highways were routed through Black neighborhoods to clear out the residents. In other cases, highways served to separate Black and White neighborhoods, entrenching segregation that could no longer be accomplished through unconstitutional racially restrictive covenants and exclusionary zoning. Now, the Reconnecting Communities program is stitching neighborhoods back together and putting economic opportunity back within reach. How? By building overpasses and pedestrian walkways, capping below-grade highways with public green space and walkable retail areas, and improving public transit, among other strategies. These projects will make for more vibrant neighborhoods that benefit *everyone*. DOT is funding 132 projects across the country – in Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Toledo, Birmingham, Los Angeles, and so many other places. By the way: This is on top of roadway safety projects in over 1,000 communities plus $108 billion for public transit. These investments are helping Americans of all backgrounds in every state, including the rural and urban communities left behind in previous waves of government investment. Details on the newly funded projects are here: https://lnkd.in/etyBvh28. The link below provides more information on the program, with helpful visualizations.

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Local governments today must bridge strategic plans with budgets to reclaim public trust and support. The key lies in mastering the "Three C’s": Capacity, Competence, and Collaboration, with the aid of purpose-built technologies to optimize community outcomes.   Download our recent eBook, "The Way Forward: 5 Essential Steps for Strategic Planning" to discover actionable insights into how you can transform your strategic planning approach: https://bit.ly/3zkFB3A #StrategicPlanning #BudgetBetter

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The U.S. Department of State continues to conduct market research around the need to establish a Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDC). Link on sam.gov: https://lnkd.in/e5eVfVZ5 The Department received industry comments and is seeking additional input on the draft Scope of Services document in the RFI. All comments received in response to the Federal Register notices will be addressed by a supplemental fourth Federal Register notice in the near future. Responses due Oct 02, 2024 05:00 pm EDT #govcon #research #diplomacy #IT #innovation #modernization

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