A fourteen (14) calendar-day public comment period begins when the BDO publishes eligible applications for award on the BDO website. During this period, interested parties may submit comments regarding the published applications. The public comment period starts on Jan. 21.

Comments should specifically address concerns about whether a proposed project is unnecessary or duplicative due to the existence of current middle-mile infrastructure. Comments may also raise concerns about project eligibility.

The BDO may use the submitted public comments to inform the office’s award decisions. The BDO has the sole authority to determine awards and discretion on whether to utilize the information submitted through this public comment period.

Any interested party may submit comments for any posted application during the public comment period. Interested parties include any individual, corporation, organization, agency, business, cooperative or other legal entity that has relevant knowledge or information about middle-mile infrastructure in or near the proposed project area.

Public comments should focus on clearly identifying and documenting existing middle-mile infrastructure that may impact the need or eligibility for the proposed project. Comments must be supported by objective and verifiable evidence with as much detail as possible.

Relevant information to include in a public comment:

• Identification of existing middle-mile fiber, leased dark fiber or other comparable facilities within or adjacent to the proposed project route.
• Middle-mile operator name(s), service types and service availability details for the existing infrastructure.
• Maps or shapefiles that illustrate overlapping or nearby middle-mile infrastructure.
• Information on broadband speeds supported by the existing infrastructure.
• Details about the ownership of infrastructure (e.g., private, cooperative, municipal) and whether it is open-access or closed.
• Evidence that the infrastructure is active, available for lease or otherwise usable to meet the same service objectives as the proposed project.

Examples of relevant comments:

• Submission of a map showing existing middle-mile fiber within the proposed project area, including naming the operator(s) and a detailed description of the service availability.
• Documentation showing that a middle-mile operator currently offers leased dark fiber along portions of the same route as the proposed project.
• Engineering documentation or service contracts demonstrating the availability and capabilities of existing broadband infrastructure.

All claims of duplication or existing infrastructure must be substantiated with objective, verifiable evidence. Acceptable forms of evidence may include but are not limited to:

• Geospatial data
• Network diagrams
• Service contracts
• Engineering documentation
• Service availability data
• Provider maps or coverage areas

Any documents or evidence submitted could be disclosed in response to an open records request pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act. Acceptable file types to submit are limited to:

• .pdf
• .jpeg
• .png
• Word docs
• Spreadsheets (either .xlsx or .csv)
• .kmz
• .zip files containing only the file types listed above

All public comments must be submitted electronically via email to bdo.nofa@cpa.texas.gov and use the subject line “TMM Public Comment Submission.”

Comments should be submitted within the fourteen (14) day public comment period. Late submissions will not be considered. The last day to submit a public comment is Feb. 2, 2026 by 2 p.m. CT.

To ensure your comment is considered, please:

• Clearly identify the application you are commenting on.
• Attach and clearly reference all supporting documentation.
• Provide your contact information for potential follow-up.

The BDO will confirm receipt of comments received and may request additional information as needed from the interested party submitting a comment. The BDO will not disclose additional information about the applications or comments received prior to making award decisions. Only comments timely submitted and supported by objective and verifiable evidence will be considered in the review of applications. Regardless of any submitted comments, the BDO has discretion to award funds.