E-rate Update - Service Provider Numbers Now Available
Message Posted March 4, 1998
SERVICE PROVIDER IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS (SPINs) NOW AVAILABLE FOR ALL POTENTIAL E-RATE VENDORS
The Schools and Libraries Corporation has just released the following information concerning the process by which vendors can receive their Service Provider Idenfitication Number (SPIN) -- the number requested in Form 471, Numbers 15 and 16, column 1. The main purpose for assigning a SPIN number to the service provider is to obtain accurate information to where and to whom the payment for the discounted portion of the contract should be mailed. As you know, this information is not requested on Form 471. Schools and libraries may want to urge their service providers to call (973)560-4440, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., to obtain their SPIN number. Obtaining a SPIN number does not imply that the service provider has signed a contract with a school or library.
-- Julie
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Procedures and contact points are now in place for service providers who wish to participate in the Universal Service Fund for schools, libraries, and rural health care to be assigned their Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). The purpose of the SPIN is to expedite future payments to vendor providing discounted services to schools, libraries, and rural health care programs under the Universal Service Fund. Schools and libraries preparing to file Form 471 are strongly encouraged to use these SPIN numbers for all vendors they list in Block 5, Items 16 and 17. Vendors are urged to pursue SPIN assignments as soon as possible so they will be ready to provide their SPIN number to schools and libraries for whom they will be delivering E-rate eligible services.
Telecommunications companies who pay into the Universal Service Fund and who have filed an FCC Form 457 for that purpose are being automatically notified of their SPIN by letter from the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). This notification has already been mailed to the contact identified in Form 457 and should be received by Wednesday, March 4, 1998. If your company has filed a Form 457 and you do not receive your SPIN, please call USAC at (973) 560-4440.
For vendors who are not Form 457 filers, the process for receiving a SPIN assignment is almost as easy. Simply call USAC at (973) 560-4440. You will be asked to provide basic information about your company (legal name, address, contact name, and contact telephone number) in a phone call transaction expected to take no more than about 10 minutes.
A Service Provider Information Request Form, which is currently under development, will subsequently be required of all SPIN-registered vendors to confirm their SPIN assignment. When this form is available, it will be mailed to all SPIN recipients and will also be available at the <http://www.neca.org> web site.
Vendors who seek SPINs after the request form is available will follow the same two-step process: first obtain a SPIN by phone and then complete and return the form mailed to you by USAC.
For more information, see the <http://www.neca.org> web site or call USAC at (973) 560-4440. Basic information about SPIN is also available at the Schools and Libraries Corp. Client Service Bureau, (888) 203-8100, but the Client Service Bureau will NOT be able to assign SPINs to vendors. To receive a SPIN assignment, please call (973) 560-4440.
As of noon today, the Schools and Libraries Corp. has received nearly 21,000 applications for the Universal Service Fund. Vendors can find information about those schools and libraries seeking new services (more than 70% of those applying) in the Service Provider Area.
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