Form 470's Posted, What's Next?
February 24, 2012
Congratulations to the 1230 PA schools and libraries that filed Form 470's this year! A total of 1759 Form 470's were filed and all but two PA school districts participated. Equally as positive, more than 325 PA applicants have already filed and certified their Form 471s for FY 2012!
What's Next?
... If your Form 470 28-day competitive bidding period hasn't yet expired, I strongly encourage you to begin your Form 471 online by completing Blocks 1 - 4 and 6. Then after the 28 day waiting period has expired, you can complete Block 5 with the relevant vendor, 470 and contract information. Don't forget to save your 471 number and security code when you exit the incomplete application so you can return and finish it.
... 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 contracted (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.usac.org/sl/) 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 (you may leave the 470 security code blank). At the top of the completed form it will show you your allowable contract date (ACD).
Next, I will be sending 3 separate e-mails, each dealing with one of these S topics.
* Selecting a vendor,
* Signing contracts (if appropriate), and
* Submitting the 471 and Item 21 attachments.
The Form 471 and Item 21 attachment deadline is Tuesday, March 20. Please let me know if you have any questions!
Happy Filing!
Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 - o
717-730-9060 - f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
Penn*link
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