Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
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Schools and Libraries Tools:
Latest News from the Schools & Libraries Program
Below are current news announcements relevant to Schools and Libraries Program. You can access previous announcements by clicking on a year under the latest news archive.
FY2010 Filing Window Close Extended to February 19, 2010 (2/9/10)
Due to adverse weather conditions in many areas of the country that may have prevented applicants from filing their FY2010 E-rate applications by the close of the window, USAC - in consultation with the FCC - has extended the close of the filing window to FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2010 AT 11:59 pm EST.
All FCC Forms 471 electronically filed or postmarked by that date and time will be considered IN WINDOW.
(2/5/10)
FILING Form 471 ONLINE: When can I reach the Client Service Bureau to get help?
The Client Service Bureau (CSB) is normally open on business days from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm ET. However, CSB is open extended hours during the last week of the window. We encourage you to call 1-888-203-8100 or send questions through Submit a Question this weekend when there are fewer requests:
Saturday, February 6: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm EST
Sunday, February 7: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm EST
Thursday, February 11: 8:00 am - 11:59 pm EST
REMINDER: If you have not already done so, take a minute to certify your Form 470. You can use the "Certify Complete" button on the Apply Online page to finish this important step.
(2/4/10)
FILING FORM 471 ONLINE: What should I do if I have a problem filing online?
Many common problems can be solved by reviewing the Tips and Troubleshooting document posted on the USAC website. If you still need assistance, you can contact the Client Service Bureau (CSB) at 1-888-203-8100 or send them your question using Submit a Question.
REMINDER: If you can't enter your school district or library system BEN in a Block 4 worksheet, you should contact CSB to obtain a BEN for the district or system administration building where you intend to get the service. BENs that identify the district or system generically in Block 1 may not work in Block 4.
(2/3/10)
FILING FORM 471 ONLINE: How do I complete my form online if I exited before I finished it?
You will need your application number and security code to return to and complete your form.
- If you started your form using the Form 471 Interview button, click on that button.
- If you started your form using the Create Form 471 button, click on the Continue Incomplete button.
REMINDER: Your form has not been submitted online until you click on the green Submit button.
(2/2/10)
FILING FORM 471 ONLINE: Why do I need to keep my security code?
You will need your security code to complete your form if you time out of the system or your online filing is interrupted. You also use the security code to file your Item 21 attachment online and to reference an original view of your form online. USAC cannot retrieve your code for you if you lose it.
REMINDER: If your session times out, you can go back to the Apply Online page to continue your form.
(2/1/10)
FILING FORM 471 ONLINE: Can I submit my form and then sign my contract?
No. You must complete the following steps in this order:
- Wait your required 28 days.
- NEXT close your competitive bidding process, evaluate bids received, and select your service provider.
- NEXT sign and date your contract. (Contracts are not required for tariffed or month-to-month service.)
- NEXT complete, submit, and certify your Form 471.
REMINDER: When you file a form online, write down your application number and security code or print the page that appears after you complete Block 1 of the form
(1/29/10)
COMPETITIVE BIDDING: Which documents should I save?
You should retain copies of all documents for five years after the last date to receive services. For competitive bidding, you should at a minimum keep copies of your Form(s) 470, RFP(s), winning and losing bids, completed bid evaluation matrices, signed contracts, and correspondence with potential bidders related to the competitive bidding process.
REMINDER: If you missed the FY2008 non-recurring services invoicing deadline, file an invoice deadline extension request.
(1/28/10)
COMPETITIVE BIDDING: What if I don't receive any bids?
You can contact service providers both during your 28-day waiting period and after it to solicit bids. If you receive one bid or no bids during your 28 days, it is a good idea to document that fact in an email to yourself or a memo to the file for audit purposes.
REMINDER: Make any necessary changes to your entity information before you start the online filing process for your Form 471.
(1/27/10)
COMPETITIVE BIDDING: Can I use a current contract as a bid response?
Yes. You can evaluate the offerings in a current contract along with any bids received as a result of your Form 470 and/or RFP. Although you cannot consider early termination charges or penalties as part of the cost of the eligible products and services, they can be considered in a separate, less heavily weighted, factor in your evaluation.
REMINDER: Be sure to submit your FY2008 invoices for non-recurring services by January 28, 2010 if your invoicing deadline has not already been extended.
(1/26/10)
COMPETITIVE BIDDING: How do I prepare an evaluation grid?
Although price of the eligible goods and services must be the most heavily weighted factor in your evaluation, you can also include other factors that are important to you when you evaluate bids. You can refer to the sample bid evaluation matrix posted on the USAC website as a guide.
REMINDER: Request new entity numbers now if you will need them to file your Form 471.
(1/25/10)
COMPETITIVE BIDDING: When can I sign a contract?
You must wait at least 28 days after your Form 470 is POSTED to the USAC website before you can sign a contract. If you issue an RFP after you post your Form 470, you must wait 28 days after your RFP is available to bidders.
REMINDER: Be sure to submit your FY2008 invoices for non-recurring services by January 28, 2010 if your invoicing deadline has not already been extended.
Comment Period Established for CIPA NPRM
On November 5, 2009, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) FCC 09-96 to propose revising the FCC rules regarding the E-rate program to comply with the requirements of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. Comments on the NPRM are due to the FCC on or before February 18, 2010, and reply comments on or before March 5, 2010. For information on how to file comments, refer to Public Notice DA 10-102.
Clarification on Comment Cycle for ESL FNPRM
On December 2, 2009, the FCC released a further notice of proposed rulemaking (FNPRM) FCC 09-105 seeking comment on the eligibility of certain services for funding under E-rate. Because Federal Register publication of the FNPRM is still pending, the FCC has released Public Notice DA 10-65 to notify commenters that reply comments are not due January 15, as indicated erroneously on the FCC's Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS). When the FNPRM is published in the Federal Register, the FCC will issue a public notice with the correct comment and reply comment dates.
The FCC will consider all comments that have already been filed in response to the FNPRM. You can also refile or supplement comments already filed, but if you are doing so please indicate that your current filing either replaces or supplements your earlier filing.
For more information, refer to Public Notice DA 10-65.
USAC to Issue Schools & Libraries BEAR Payments Electronically in 2010
The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer (See Public Notice DA 09-2126, released September 28, 2009). Currently, USAC still issues Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) payments by check.
Beginning in 2010, USAC will issue BEAR payments electronically where there is banking information provided in Block 11 (Schools and Libraries Remittance Information) on the Service Provider's FCC Form 498. When a BEAR payment is issued electronically, an e-mail will be sent to the remittance contact in Block 11 of the Service Provider's FCC Form 498 to inform them of the payment. Remittance statements, which precede BEAR payments by approximately 2 weeks, will continue to be sent by either e-mail or hardcopy as requested on the Service Provider's FCC Form 498.
For now, USAC continues to issue checks for both Service Provider Invoice (SPI) FCC Form 474 and Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) FCC Form 472 payments to companies who have not provided electronic banking information. However, USAC reminds all Service Providers that the FCC's Public Notice indicates that, at some future date, payments will be held in the absence of electronic banking information. Again, USAC will provide more details once the FCC sets that specific date.
All newly filed Forms 498 now require Service Providers to provide electronic banking information to USAC. USAC encourages all service providers to update their Form 498 information using USAC's E-File System.
If you have any questions, please contact USAC Customer Operations at (888) 641-8722 or customerservice@bcd.universalservice.org. You may also visit us at www.usac.org.
FY2010 Application Filing Window Dates Established.
The FY2010 application filing window opened at noon EST on Thursday, December 3, 2009 and will close at 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 11, 2010. The filing window will be open for 71 days.
Applicants should note that FY2010 Forms 470 can be filed now.
Traditionally, a high percentage of Forms 471 arrive at USAC during the final week that the window is open. We urge you to file early so that:
- You have an opportunity to review your work and make corrections if necessary.
- You can re-file your form if an error you made cannot be corrected.
- USAC has your information and can start reviewing your application.
We also urge you to file online:
- The system notifies you of possible errors and allows you to correct them.
- The system does your calculations for you.
- You can review your information online before you submit it.
- Your information is submitted to us quickly and correctly.
FCC Releases Public Notice (11/3/09) and NPRM (11/5/09)
On November 3, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released Public Notice DA 09-2376 seeking comment on Broadband Needs in Education. Comments are due to the FCC by November 20, and reply comments are due by December 11, 2009.
On November 5, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) FCC 09-96 proposing revising the FCC rules regarding the E-rate program to comply with the requirements of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act. Comments will be due to the FCC 30 days after, and reply comments will be due 45 days after, the NPRM is published in the Federal Register.
FCC Releases Revised 2009 FCC Form 498 and Instructions
See FCC Releases Revised 2009 FCC Form 498 and instructions.
USAC Address Change for USF Contributor Invoice Payments
See USAC Address Change for USF Contributor Invoice Payments.
FCC Announces Mandatory Electronic Disbursement of USF Support Payments
The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau announced September 28 that all federal Universal Service Fund (USF) support payments must be made by electronic funds transfer (See Public Notice DA 09-2126).
The notice states that recipients of USF support payments shall provide their financial institution information and other relevant information on FCC Form 498, which is being updated to reflect these requirements. USAC encourages all service providers to update their Form 498 information using USAC's E-File System. Once the updated 498 form is processed, all following support payments will be made electronically.
The Wireline Competition Bureau will issue a further public notice announcing the effective date of the electronic payment requirement. After the effective date, USAC will not make USF support payments to any entity that has not provided financial institution information sufficient to enable payment through electronic funds transfer.
Please note: Service providers in the Schools and Libraries Program that currently use the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR Form 472) form will continue to receive check payments even if they provide electronic banking information until further notice.
If you have any questions, please contact USAC at (888) 641-8722 or customerservice@bcd.universalservice.org.
2009 Fall Training Agenda and Presentation Materials Now Available
To download the agenda or presentation materials, go to 2009 Fall Training Agenda and Presentations.
Form 470 Search Posted
Review Forms 470 posted on or after July 21st in the Form 470 Table on this website.
USAC IT UPGRADE
The Apply Online page including all online forms and most search tools will be unavailable from 5 pm EDT September 1 until 9 am EDT September 14 due to the system upgrade. During this time users will be unable to file or certify forms online. More information is available in the USAC IT Upgrade FAQs or the special SLD News Briefs issued 8/13, 8/20 and 8/27 and posted on our website, or by calling our Client Service Bureau toll free at 888-203-8100 for more information.
USAC IT UPGRADE
USAC is in the process of improving its Schools and Libraries Program information technology (IT) systems. As part of this effort, we will be conducting a major upgrade of our IT infrastructure in the first two weeks of September in order to allow us to begin to make additional improvements in the future. The infrastructure upgrade is essential, but it will require us to take down the interactive areas of the USAC website in which applicants and service providers file forms and conduct searches of Schools and Libraries Program data.
