DOCOMO Pacific has requested clarification on how an awardee was selected for the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment or BEAD program subgrant.
Last week, the federally funded CNMI Broadband Policy & Development Office announced the successful completion of the Benefit of the Bargain subgrant application round under the BEAD program, as well as the required special award condition meeting with the National Telecommunications and Information Administration or NTIA.
On Wednesday, Docomo Pacific submitted its comment on the draft final proposal, raising concern about the “intended awardee” and the “staggering difference” in bid amounts between Docomo and another applicant.
Special Assistant for Broadband Policy and Development Glen Hunter said his office had received Docomo’s comment and, as of press time, was reviewing it. He noted that the draft final proposal is currently in the public comment period, which runs through Aug. 23, 2025.
Asked to respond to Docomo’s concern, Hunter said, “Not at the moment,” explaining that the office is still in the process of collecting comments. Once the comment period closes, he added, the office will evaluate all submissions and respond accordingly.
In her written comment, Docomo Pacific President and Chief Executive Officer Christine Baleto said that, based on the company’s evaluation of the BPD Office’s announcement, “it appears that there was a blatant disregard for the criteria which the Trump administration had required all states and territories to follow in determining program awards.”
Baleto said Docomo Pacific Saipan had submitted a complete, program-conforming, technologically viable, and cost-efficient solution for the rapid deployment of broadband in each underserved or unserved sector throughout the CNMI.
She reiterated concern about the “staggering difference” between Docomo’s bid and another subgrant proposal.
“Our bid amount for coverage in the CNMI came in at $1,783,851.74. The intended awardee in the CNMI BPD Office announcement came in with a bid amount at $31,394,731. The difference here is a staggering $29,610,879 or 1,660% above our technical solution proposal,” she said.
Baleto said Docomo Pacific is “requesting clarification on how awardees were chosen and the criteria used in its analysis, including speed to deployment, network speed, and other technical capabilities.” She also urged that an independent committee of technical experts review all applications and score submissions based on technical merit, followed by bid price, in line with the NTIA directive to select an awardee that “will deliver high-speed internet access efficiently on a technology-neutral basis, and at the right price.”
