State program to distribute devices to Massachusetts organizations; early application due Oct. 30, final due Nov. 7

Caitlin Schubert, presenter, opened the session saying, "my name is Caitlin Schubert, and I'm gonna talk about our connected and online program today." The program, referred to in the presentation as CNO, is funded through the U.S. Department of the Treasury Capital Projects Fund and totals just over $23 million. Organizers said devices and some ancillary equipment will be purchased and shipped at no cost to awardees; no administrative reimbursement will be provided.

Applicants must be physically located in Massachusetts and serve Massachusetts residents. Eligible entities include municipalities, state agencies, tribal nations, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, educational and health-care providers, community action agencies, career centers and libraries. Awardees must make devices available at no cost through one of two core deployment models: publicly accessible on-site computer stations (for example, in libraries, classrooms, career hubs or health centers) or a free-to-borrow lending program. Mobile or outreach lab models are acceptable if described in the application.

The application timeline: an early-application deadline is Friday, Oct. 30; the standard application deadline is Friday, Nov. 7; both close at 5 p.m. Award notifications are expected in late November or early December. Organizers encouraged applicants to submit early to receive feedback that can help cure deficiencies. Devices are expected to be deployed within three months of contract execution and awardees must retain ownership and make devices available for public access through Dec. 31, 2026 (organizers noted certain federal rules require asset records to be kept longer; see clarifying details).

Device mix and support: core devices offered include a Dell Pro 14 laptop, a Chromebook, a Dell Latitude 2-in-1 tablet and two types of desktops (standard and graphics). Microsoft Business productivity software will be preinstalled on desktops and laptops only; Chromebooks and tablets will not include Microsoft Business. Security software (Deep Freeze) will be available to wipe public-station sessions on reboot; optional accessibility software such as JAWS and communication tools (for nonverbal users) can be requested. Laptops, tablets and Chromebooks include three-year accidental damage protection; desktops do not. Chromebooks carry a one-year limited hardware warranty; other laptops, tablets and desktops have two-year limited hardware warranties where noted.

Ancillary equipment: applicants may request charging carts, docking stations, printers, a projector-and-whiteboard set, a smartboard, remote patient monitoring kits (blood pressure and glucose monitors) and assistive-technology devices. For on-site deployments, applicants may request network infrastructure, but the application asks for a narrative of needs (including floor plans when possible) rather than selecting specific infrastructure items.

Quantities, structure and scoring: individual applicants must request a minimum of 30 devices (the minimum shipment unit); umbrella applications may request up to 500 devices with a single lead organization responsible for distribution and reporting for sub-sites. Applicants may request between 30 and 3,500 devices in total. Final allocations will be adjusted based on demonstrated capacity to manage devices and community need. The narrative is the core of the application and must address scope and schedule, justification for device numbers, program alignment with the three priority areas (education, workforce and health care), public-access strategy, and monitoring/support plans. The online rubric totals 100 points with bonus points available: 20 bonus points for gateway cities or designated rural communities serving Treasury-defined impacted households, and 10 points for federally qualified health centers, community health centers or disability-serving organizations. Applicants who commit to refurbishing, donating or recycling existing devices may also score additional points.

Reporting and compliance: awardees must report quarterly (the first reporting period described covers April through June, with the first report due in July). Reporting will use a short form with about five core questions including counts of individuals served, brief narratives of risks/issues, and projected plans. A program impact report and a closeout package (including reconfirmation of serial numbers) are required at the program end. Organizers said they reserve the right to recapture devices in rare cases where devices are chronically unaccounted-for or not responsibly managed.

Administrative requirements and platform: applicants will need a W-9, a UEI and a TIN; the organizers will accept applications that indicate a UEI is pending because of federal delays but requested that applicants obtain and submit the UEI prior to finalizing contracting. Applications are submitted via Submittable and applicants should contact Submittable Help Center for platform errors. Organizers also offered office-hours, interpreted recordings, FAQs and one-on-one support and encouraged applicants to email staff for help forming umbrella partnerships or finding lead applicants.

Q&A highlights: attendees representing family childcare providers asked how the telehealth and public-access requirements apply to small childcare settings. Presenters repeatedly said Treasury defined the priority-areas requirement broadly and encouraged applicants to explain how device access or digital-literacy programming connects to education, workforce development or health care (for example, helping parents use patient portals, MyChart, prescriptions, telehealth appointments or digital-skills that enable job searching and online training). Presenters clarified devices may not be restricted exclusively to children; family-childcare programs can make devices available to parents and families during certain hours, lend devices to families, or participate as part of an umbrella application if they cannot meet the 30-device minimum alone. Direct connectivity (Wi-Fi or hotspots) is not an eligible cost under this program; staff suggested Lifeline/ACP resources to help households obtain service.

Quotes from the session: Joanna, a family childcare system representative, asked about training and telehealth and said, "So why we need technology training? So I represent Clarington, a family childcare system, and we have multiple sites." An organizer summarized the program purpose and urged applicants to make the case in the narrative about how devices will increase access to education, workforce development or health care. Caitlin Schubert opened the presentation with her introduction and overview of timeline and goals.

What to expect next: organizers will post the recording (including interpreted recordings), the FAQ and office-hour links, and the Submittable application. They recommended applicants submit by the Oct. 30 early-deadline to receive program feedback and improve applications prior to the Nov. 7 final deadline. Contact details were provided in chat during the session for applicants seeking partnership matches or help meeting the 30-device minimum.

Ending note: session hosts thanked attendees for participating and for their work in family childcare and community services, reiterated that staff would help connect smaller providers to potential lead applicants, and closed the session.