CPUC staff addressed multiple applicant questions about what to include in prequalification and award packages, what pre‑application expenses are allowable, and how project areas and budgets will be handled.

On documentation timing, staff said applicants must have a cybersecurity and supply‑chain risk management plan by the time of award; if an applicant has the plan already they may upload it, otherwise they must certify they will have it at award. Ziggy, a CPUC staff member, said the application asks whether an applicant has a plan now or will have one by award and does not require uploading the plan at the time of application.

On allowable costs, staff said some pre‑application expenses that are actually project costs (for example, engineering work done to prepare an environmental assessment) can be allowable under NTIA rules; by contrast, pure application preparation expenses are not allowable. Staff said specifics on allowable pre‑application categories will be provided in the FAQ.

Regarding funding allocations, staff said the CPUC will not provide fixed funding allocations by census block group in advance. Instead, the commission will dynamically calculate available budgets for each census block group or project area as applications arrive, using application data and reference pricing described in IPV 2. Ziggy said applicants should consult IPV 2 for more detail.

On project area size and design, staff said the minimum unit applicants may propose is the census block group (CBG). Staff noted applicants can propose a 90% coverage option in limited cases where excluding a small sub‑area would still meet the program’s coverage threshold, but they cautioned that splitting a single CBG into separate project applications is not permitted.

Staff reiterated that administrative cost rules (for example, Buy American and eligibility requirements) apply to expenses and that CPUC will publish more detail in the forthcoming application materials and FAQ.