Form 470′s Posted, What’s Next?
February 18, 2014
Congratulations to the PA schools and libraries that filed Form 470′s so far this year! There are still a handful that haven’t yet filed (and you know who you are), but because 97% of our Form 470′s have been filed it’s time to turn our attention to the next steps in the application process.
Let’s start with a few simple reminders….
… If you filed your 470 but haven’t yet certified it, please be sure to do so by March 26. To certify a submitted 470, go to http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/Form470Expert/ReprintOrResubmit_470Certification.aspx. No Security Code is needed (despite what the screen shows).
… If your Form 470 28-day competitive bidding period HASN’T yet expired, or if it has expired but you haven’t yet signed your contract(s) yet, I strongly encourage you to begin your Form 471 online by completing Blocks 1, 4 and 6 (Blocks 2 and 3 no longer exist). Then after the 28 day waiting period has expired or your contract(s) signed, you can complete Block 5 with the relevant vendor, 470 and contract/pricing information. Don’t forget to print and save your 471 number and security code when starting your Form 471 so when you return to finish the application you can gain access.
… If your 28-day waiting period HAS already expired (meaning your Allowable Contract Date has passed), you may submit your 471 if you have conducted your bid evaluation, selected your vendors, obtained board approval (if local policy requires), and signed your contract(s) (unless just purchasing on a month-to-month basis).
How Do You Know What the Allowable Contract Date Is? The Allowable Contract Date (ACD) is the 29th day after you hit submit on your Form 470, and is the first date that you are permitted to hit submit on your Form 471. To find out exactly what your ACD is, go back to the “apply online” page on the SLD website (http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp) and choose the “SEARCH POSTED” option. Then type-in your 470 number (or your zip code if you don’t have your 470 number handy) and print off a complete, clean copy of your application (leave the 470 security code blank as there is no such thing). At the top of the completed form it will show you your allowable contract date (ACD).
Next, I will be sending separate e-mails, each providing very specific advice on the next steps of the application process….
* Selecting a vendor/bid evaluations,
* Signing contracts (if appropriate), and
* Submitting the 471 and Item 21 attachments.
The Form 471 has been slightly modified from previous years and I’ll provide detailed information relating to those additional questions as well.
The Form 470 deadline is February 26 and the Form 471 deadline is Wednesday, March 26. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Happy Filing!
– Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
717-730-9060 – f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
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