FY 2019 Form 471 “Window” Now Open!

January 17, 2019

~ Form 471 Deadline is March 27, 2019 ~
~ Post 470’s NOW if you haven’t done so already! ~

The FY 2019 Form 471 Application Window officially opened yesterday and already 8 PA applicants have submitted Form 471s (listed below)!  The absolute final day to post a Form 470 and still have enough time to submit a Form 471 is February 27, but PLEASE DO NOT WAIT THIS LONG as it will only give you a single day to negotiate a contract, obtain board approval (if required), create the EPC Contract Record, and complete the Form 471.  For public schools, I recommend that you file all 470s at least 40 days before your February board voting meeting.  For nonpublic schools, libraries and other entities that don’t require board approval, I recommend that you have all 470s filed no later than February 1.

We’ve been told there are a few minor changes to this year’s Form 471, and after I’ve nailed those down, I’ll create a Form 471 Guide and schedule webinar trainings.

Reminders Before Starting Form 471:

1. CONTRACT RECORDS:   If you have signed a new contract for FY 2019, a new Contract Record must be created in EPC prior to starting the Form 471.  If you are submitting an FRN for FY 2019 based on a multi-year contract for which you created a Contract Record in EPC in a previous year, you should NOT create a new Contract Record for FY 2019 – just cite that same contract record that’s in your Contract Module when prompted to do so in the Form 471.  The only exception to this is if your vendor has a new SPIN number, in which case you should create a new Contract Record but use the new SPIN (there’s no way to edit an existing Contract Record in EPC).
2. EPC PROFILE UPDATES:

1. School and library EPC profiles have now been “locked down” and no further changes can be made in EPC.  If you need to make changes to your school or library’ EPC profiles, you should submit a RAL Correction in EPC immediately after your 471 is submitted, explaining the changes that should be made. During the review of your 471, PIA will work with you to process the entity profile update.
2. Consortia memberships also have been “locked down” HOWEVER, the Client Service Bureau (CSB) does have the ability to assist consortia leaders with updating their consortia membership.  Call them at 888-203-8100 or create a Customer Service Case in EPC prior to starting your Form 471.
3. The ability to link to a consultant also has been locked down, but CSB has the ability to perform this function on the backend.

1. CONNECTIVITY SURVEY:  Applicants are NO LONGER required to update the Connectivity Module in EPC.  The FCC recently decided that the FY 2019 Form 471 will not port over the connectivity questions from EPC and thus applicants are not required to keep those answers current.

I will be sending messages to the listserve in the coming days related to conducting bid evaluations, creating Contract Records, and filing the Form 471 in EPC.

Happy Filing!

– Julie

p.s.  Congratulations to these entities that filed their 471s on the first day of the FY 2019 Application Window!

Julie Tritt Schell

PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
717-730-9060 – f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org