ECF Form 471 Demonstration Webinar Scheduled
July 1, 2021
On Thursday, July 15, we will be conducting a webinar from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. to walk applicants through the new ECF Application Form 471. Register at: https://cciu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJUodeyqrD0sEtR8rqaUhHdywJBLPGpjBwb0. If you cannot attend the session, it will be recorded.
If you would like to submit your application in early July, I encourage you to review USAC’s Form 471 example at: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/ecf-fcc-form-471/ (follow each section using the links on the left side of the page). Also, I’ve created an ECF Form 471 Data Fields document that lists all of the required data elements on the ECF Form 471 and I encourage you to enter your information in this document to make submitting the 471 a breeze.
A few things I’ve learned since the application launched:
- To access the application, log into One Portal at https://ecfportal.usac.org/suite/sites/ECF. After going through the multi-factor authentication and accepting their new T/Cs, select the ECF application link at the bottom of the list.
- You must create separate FRNs for Equipment (laptops, tablets, modems, wi-fi hotspots) and Services (internet access). Within each FRN, you can then create multiple FRN Line Items as needed (just like the E-rate 471). For example, if you are applying for Verizon Wireless and have 2 different wi-fi plans with them, you would just create a single Services FRN, then 2 FRN Line Items detailing the different speeds/monthly costs/# of units for each plan.
- Vendor contracts are not required – a vendor quote will suffice. And although it’s optional to upload vendor documentation, I highly recommend that you do.
- The form defaults to service delivery dates of 7/1/2021 – 6/30/2022. Just use these dates. The detailed cost section will ask you to enter the # of months that service is being provided and doesn’t automatically calculate using the calendar dates like the E-rate Form 471 does.
- You must select whether you or your service provider will be seeking reimbursement from ECF after equipment/service has been delivered. If you indicate ‘service provider’ the form will require you to upload proof from the vendor indicating that they have agreed to this.
- The “Unmet Needs Survey” questions are only asked of school applicants, not libraries. Be prepared with the answers (best estimates) to those questions prior to entering the form.
- At the end of the Survey section, schools must provide an explanation of how they determined how many devices/service plans are needed. Be specific in how and when you acquired this data. You are not required to have an exact one-to-one survey match to your ECF quantities requested, but you will need to explain how you generally arrived at your requested quantities.
- If you get logged out before submitting, go to My Pending Tasks to see your draft application. As with the E-rate EPC portal, there’s a very short timeout setting.
- If you submit the form and realize you’ve made a mistake, there’s a RAL Modification feature to make changes, just like the E-rate Form 471.
- As of today, there’s no publicly available download feature to see who has submitted applications, but we know this tool is coming soon.
Additional Resources:
ECF Form 471 Application (in One Portal): https://ecfportal.usac.org/suite/sites/ECF
USAC ECF Information Page: www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org
USAC ECF Form 471 Guide: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/ecf-fcc-form-471/
USAC Training Modules/Office Hours: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/training/
USAC ECF Customer Service Support Center: 1-800-234-9781 Monday – Friday 8 am – 8 pm Eastern Time
FCC ECF Page: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund
FCC FAQ/Summary: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund-faqs
PA ECF Resource Page: http://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=32310
See you on the 15th!
– Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org