Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- Site Visits
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Step 8: Deadline for Information Requests
Timely responses to requests for information from USAC about your Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471) or any other forms are essential to timely decisions on funding requests.
USAC is committed to doing all it can to issue timely Funding Commitment Decision Letters. USAC processes approximately 40,000 Form 471 applications that are received or postmarked within the application filing window. Applications are reviewed and completed promptly and as accurately as possible so USAC can issue funding decisions.
Timely responses from applicants are required for USAC to complete application reviews. Requests for additional or clarifying information and/or documentation may be about your Form 471 or any other form. Typically, applicants have fifteen (15) days to reply to USAC requests.
USAC will attempt to contact applicants using their preferred mode of contact and based on the information provided on their forms. The following are considered successful contacts:
- A live telephone conversation with the contact person or other person designated by the contact person
- A voice mail message left at the contact person's telephone number
- A fax sent to the contact person's fax number with confirmation of successful transmission
- An email message sent to the contact person's email address without a return message of unsuccessful transmission
SPECIAL NOTE: USAC recognizes that many applicants are unavailable during certain periods due to extended holiday and break schedules. Following are the time periods USAC recognizes and how it will implement deadlines during those periods.
During these periods, USAC will enforce deadlines for receipt of information only after we make a successful two-way contact with the applicant's contact person or other person designated by the contact person. USAC will attempt to make this two-way contact both by the preferred mode of contact and by telephone. If we are unable to make a successful two-way contact during this period - or if appropriate staff that can provide the necessary information are unavailable - we will send a fax to the contact person notifying them that the affected form(s) cannot be processed, and appropriate decision letter(s) cannot be issued, until the additional information is received. |
If the first attempt to contact an applicant is successful, USAC will follow up with a confirmation. If a successful contact is not made, a second attempt will be made within three business days. If the first attempt to contact an applicant reveals that the applicant is unavailable until a specified date, we will attempt to contact the applicant after the specified date.
When contacted, you must respond fully to the request and forward all requested documentation within fifteen days.
If USAC is unable to contact an applicant as described above or if we receive an incomplete response by the date established during the original contact, USAC will initiate follow-up contact with the applicant. Applicants must respond fully to that request and forward all requested documentation by the deadline established during the initial contact.
If USAC is unable to make a successful contact, USAC will use the information available to attempt to make a successful contact with someone else in your organization. If a successful contact is made, the response timelines described above will apply.
If USAC does not receive a complete response within the time period set to respond, we will attempt to process as much of the form as possible with the information provided. Actions USAC may take include modification, rejection, or denial of individual funding requests or of the entire form.
