Year 3 Form 470s Available For Posting
Message Posted October 25, 1999
471 "Window" Set from Nov. 10 to Jan. 19, 2000
SLD Web Site Revamped
Major Changes to Program Outlined
This e-mail contains several important points about Year 3 and I encourage
you to read each of them thoroughly.
1) Today the SLD released the new Form 470 and is now accepting Year 3 Form
470 applications online at www.sl.universalservice.org.
If you would like
discounts on services being delivered from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001,
you may now begin applying either online or via paper requesting bids on
those services.
I strongly suggest you file your application online as it saves time,
minimized data entry errors, reduces administrative costs for the SLD, and
is much faster than filing via paper because applications that are filed
online begin the 28 day waiting period the minute you electronically submit
your application. If you mail in your application, you may have to wait
several days until one of their data entry personnel enter your application
online for you.
You'll also notice that the new 470 is much easier to understand and
complete. Just a few of the changes are: the USCN # is now properly called
the 470 Application Number, they no longer request NCES numbers, they are
much clearer in asking for 'who are the recipients of service' and 'which
entity will be receiving the bill', and the block that asks you to describe
what services you are requesting is 100% easier to understand. Please don't
forget to print off each Block before you continue on to the next page.
Also, you may want to print out the new 470 and instructions first so you
can get a feel for the new form before you go online. The instructions have
been completely revised and I strongly recommend this be the first place you
turn with your questions.
Finally, don't forget that beginning with Year 3, if you have a multi-year
contract that continues through July 1, 2000 and beyond, there is no need to
file an 'existing contract' 470. You simply should wait for the 471 window
to open and then file the 471 citing your original 470 application number
(formerly USCN) as your establishing 470. For more information, see item
number 3 below.
2) The SLD has set the new 471 window from November 10 to January 19, 2000.
This means that all 471s received in that window will be treated as if
received on the same day. If you are about to glance at your calendar, I
can tell you that this means that you want to wait absolutely no later than
December 17 to submit your 470, wait 28 days, and still have a chance to
sign contracts, complete your 471 and have it received at the SLD by January
19. Don't forget that even if you file your 471 online, you have to have
the certification page received by the close of the window. I advise you to
go online and submit your 470 as soon as possible. The online form is very
user friendly and if you have an idea of what services you will be
requesting, you will probably spend less than 1/2 hour completing the form.
The new 471 and instructions are not yet available for viewing or printing,
however they are identical to the draft versions I used in my regional
training workshops. They may not be available until November 10, but I'll
keep you posted if they're available before then.
3) The SLD web site has been completely revamped. There is a very
well-organized step-by-step application process available as well as clear
links to all available help and documentation about the program available at
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/apply.asp. There also is an updated
eligible services list at
http://www.sl.universalservice.org/Reference/eligible.asp#1. While no new
major services have been added, the list has been updated to provide
clarification on numerous items that previously were unknown. As I told
everyone at the workshops... most applicants don't apply for everything
they're eligible for. I encourage you to take a few minutes to look at this
list and be sure you are applying for everything you need that's eligible,
including cell phone and paging services, and maintenance contracts on
internal connections.
4) In case you missed one of the numerous E-rate Year 3 workshops being
held around the state, here is an update on the major changes for Year 3.
You also should know that I am planning a statewide teleconference in the
morning of November 10 to discuss the major changes for Year 3 E-rate, go
over the revised forms, and make sure everyone is clear on the deadlines.
As soon as satellite coordinates are known, I'll send out an e-mail.
-- The 470 and 471 forms and instruction have changed quite a bit. They
forms are easier to understand, have less "tricky" questions, have easier to
understand terms, don't request unnecessary information, have calculations
built-in, and are much user-friendly. The instructions are improved as well
because they contain answers to almost every question you may have about an
Item on the application.
-- The equal application window only applies to the 471; Form 470's may be
filed at any time. In Year 3 it may seem like there is a window for both
the 470 and 471 that begins today and ends Jan. 19 because the new forms
were not yet available before today, but in future years, you will be able
to file a 470 at any time to align with your procurement processes. The 471
is the only form that will be required to be submitted in the "window".
-- If you have a multi-year contract that extends into the Year 3 funding
year (July 1, 2000 - June 30, 2001), you do not need to file an 'existing
contract' Form 470 as in previous years. As long as the contract was
originally competitively bid using a 470, the contract is E-rate eligible
for the length of the contract and you only are required from now on to file
a 471 to apply for your discounts for that funding year. For example, if
after posting a 470 for 28 days, you signed a 3 year contract on April 1,
1999 that ends on June 30, 2002, you would only file a Form 471 for the
remaining 2 years of the contract. Services purchased on a month-to-month
basis without a contract must still file a 470 each year (anytime after July
1).
-- Signed contracts for month-to-month Internet access, cellular and paging
services will no longer be required. Previously only month-to-month
services purchased under tariff didn't require a signed contract. Signed
contracts or purchase orders are still required for all other facilities and
services.
-- The 471 can be filed more widely in Year 3, including with P.C.s and
MACs, with Netscape and Ineternet Explorer (browser 4.0 or higher).
-- As you can tell, the filing window has been moved up earlier in the year.
This is due to the effort of the SLD to have funding commitment letters for
Year 3 in the hands of applicants by May in order for discounts to be placed
on bills and eliminate the reimbursement option for payment.
Julie L. Tritt
Executive Policy Specialist
Office of Educational Technology
PA Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17126
(717) 705-4486
(717) 787-7222 - fax
jtritt@state.pa.us
www.L2L.org
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