Updated “Manufacturer Category List” for PEPPM Mini-Bids

January 8, 2018

Attached: D_PEPPM_E-rate_Category_List_2018_v03.1

~ Additional product lines being added in January ~
~ PEPPM Mini-Bid Guide and Related Docs at https://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=6121~

For public schools that have chosen to use the PA State PEPPM Contract as the procurement option for their E-rate Category 2 applications, but who have not yet issued their PEPPM mini-bids, please begin to use the attached, updated PEPPM Manufacturer Category List when sending your mini-bid e-mails/equipment lists to awarded vendors.   If you have already issued your PEPPM Mini-Bids using the previous Category List, you do not need to redo your mini-bid.

Because of the E-rate rule that requires “equivalent” manufacturers to be permitted to submit proposals during E-rate procurements, a Mini-Bid process must be conducted among all manufacturers that can provide that “category” of equipment/service.  The complete set of documents needed to complete the PEPPM Mini-Bid Process can be found at: https://e-ratepa.org/?page_id=6121 and it’s important that each step be followed in order and in its entirety in order to be E-rate compliant.

The differences between the original Manufacturer Category List and the current list are:

Updates/Changes to Manufacturer Category List:

• Additional Product Lines: A few additional product lines were competitively bid in fall 2017, and have been added to the PEPPM Contract beginning January 2018.   PEPPM mini-bids issued on or after January 8, 2018 must include these product lines/awarded vendors must be included with your PEPPM mini-bid.  The product lines that will be added are:

• Product Lines Removed:  A few manufacturers have selected to not continue participating in the PEPPM contract for 2018 and they are: 

• Brocade Update:  Brocade equipment continues to be a PEPPM product line, but due to a series of acquisitions, bids will be submitted by either Ruckus or Extreme.  Based on your PEPPM mini-bid equipment list, those companies will know for which equipment to submit proposals.

A few additional reminders:

• If you haven’t issued your Form 470 or PEPPM Mini-Bid, please do so ASAP!  You will want to take ALL contracts to your February board meetings for approval (if required by your local policy before signing contracts) so you can submit your Form 471 in early March.
• If you are using PEPPM, you should NOT file a Form 470 as we filed a Form 470 for PEPPM when the contract was competitively bid in the fall of 2014.  On your Form 471, you will cite to the PEPPM 470 number (Form 470 #:  245730001240230).
• If you are using PEPPM, you should NOT file a Form 470 as we filed a Form 470 for PEPPM when the contract was competitively bid in the fall of 2014.  On your Form 471, you will cite to the PEPPM 470 number (Form 470 #:  245730001240230).
• If you do not wish to use PEPPM, you must file your own Form 470 (and issue a RFP if the total purchase price is over $19,400).  Keep in mind that you must accept bids from equivalent product lines (E-rate rule) from the lowest responsible bidder (PA law).
• On the FY 2018 Form 471 and Form 486, the Service Start Date for all Category 2 FRNs should be 7/1/2018 (not 4/1/2018).  Although it’s important for your contract term to begin 4/1/2018 so you have the option to purchase/install the equipment prior the start of the funding year, the E-rate EPC system does not like dates that are technically outside of the E-rate funding year.  Therefore, the guidance from FY 2016/FY 2017 has changed – the Service Start Date on the Form 471 and Form 486 should never be before 7/1/2018.  As long as your contract term is on or after 4/1/2018, you will still be able to purchase the equipment early, per E-rate rules.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

— 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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