August 2024 E-rate Update

August 8, 2024

Cybersecurity Pilot Webinar:  On Wednesday, August 14 at 3:00 p.m., I will be hosting a 90 min. webinar to provide PA schools and libraries with an introduction to the FCC’s new $200 million Cybersecurity Pilot Program.  If you are interested in submitting an application this fall to be considered for the pilot, please plan to attend.  Schools and libraries may register at:  https://cciu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0sfuCvqT4rEtd-aSTfxEkkoVadYnUPePzt.  Although the FCC hasn’t given a date for when the application process will open, I suspect it will be sometime in September.  If you intend to apply, you can start preparing now for part one of the Form 484 application process by:

Wi-Fi Hotspots to be E-rate Eligible for FY 2025:  The FCC has voted to allow Wi-Fi hotspots for students and staff with unmet needs to be eligible beginning in FY 2025.  The FCC’s Order is now available at:  https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-24-76A1.pdf.  Although what’s eligible is the generally the same as ECF, there are many added conditions.  First, applicants will have a 3-year, pre-discount budget that is based on the applicant’s size (a school’s enrollment or a library’s square footage) up to a maximum of 20% of students (schools) or 5.5 hotspots for each 1000 square feet (libraries).  There also is a maximum pre-discount cap of $15/hotspot plan and $90/hotspot device.  The E-rate competitive bidding rules will apply, as well as E-rate discounts.  I will be sending out a full summary soon.  Also, USAC is hosting a Wi-Fi Hotspot Eligibility webinar on August 15 at 2:00 p.m.  Register at:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8683570542546423639?source=Webinars.

Emergency Connectivity Fund Reimbursement Deadline:  The final day to submit ECF BEARs for reimbursement is August 29.   This date applies to most ECF Window 3 funding requests, although there are a few FRNs from Windows 1 and 2 that can still submit invoices.  For a list of all ECF FRNs marked as BEAR, with unexpired invoice deadlines and funding remaining as of July 17, see: https://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/PA-FRNs-With-Remaining-Funds-as-of-July-17.xlsx.  This deadline will not be extended until October (like they did with the August 2023 ECF invoice deadline) because of the Congressional recission requirement.  Therefore, it’s extremely important that you submit your ECF invoice to USAC as soon as possible.  Reminder: Because of the recission requirement, USAC cannot approve any SPIN changes, invoice mode changes or appeals.  Also, it’s too late to actually purchase equipment and services.

Digital Connectivity Technology Program Applications Accepted Through 8/19/24 – This is a reminder that the PA Broadband Authority’s $20 million Digital Connectivity Technology Program is still accepting applications through Monday, August 19, 2024.  The grant will fund laptops for eligible public-facing institutions such as libraries, municipalities, not-for-profits, and other community anchor institutions, who will make them available to individuals who lack access to the technology needed to meaningfully participate in our digital economy.  More information regarding this grant, including the grant’s guidelines, a pre-recorded webinar providing an overview of the program, as well as an FAQ, go to: https://dced.pa.gov/programs/covid-19-arpa-digital-connectivity-technology-program/.  The PBDA strongly encourages interested applicants to review the program FAQ before applying.

Reminder to Whitelist New E-mail Address:  Thank you for your patience as we transitioned to the new listserve and worked through some kinks.  I will be sending messages on the new listserve from jtschell@e-ratepa.org; therefore, please whitelist jtschell@e-ratepa.org right away.  The messages may appear they’re coming through the comcast.net account, but the system is configured to send them from the e-ratepa.org domain.

REMINDERS:

  • Reminder to File FY 2023 BEARs:  The deadline to file FY 2023 BEARs for recurring services is October 28, 2024.  For a status list of FY 2023 FRNs showing what’s required (if anything) as of July 10, see:  https://e-ratepa.org/?p=35572.
  • File FY 2024 BEARs beginning July 1, 2024:  If you’ve already purchased your FY 2024 C2 equipment and have received your FCDL, you can now file the BEAR to seek reimbursement for that funding.  Although the invoice deadline for FY 2024 FRNs is more than a year away, submit now and collect your reimbursement before you forget!
  • File Form 486s:  If you have received your FY 2024 FCDL and have not yet filed the Form 486, don’t forget this important step.  Although the deadline to submit is the end of October for most FRNs, you won’t be able to submit a BEAR or receive discounted bills until the 486 is submitted.  Full instructions on the Form 486 can be found at: https://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Form-486-Filing-Guide-FY-2024.pdf.
  • Reminder to Label and Inventory Category 2 Equipment:  If you applied for Category 2 discounts this year, don’t forget to label the equipment before it’s installed, and add the equipment to your asset inventory.  For more details on these requirements, in addition to other C2-related issues, please review the Category 2 Purchasing Guide, available at: https://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Equipment-Purchasing-Guide-FY-2024.pdf.
  • Reminder if You Want Discounted Bills:  Be sure to tell your vendors if you want to receive discounted bills where the vendor then seeks reimbursement.  If you prefer to pay your vendor invoices in full and then submit the Form 472 BEAR to seek reimbursement, that’s your option, but you must stick with one invoicing method or the other for the entire funding year for each FRN.  
  • Changing EPC Account Administrators/Adding New EPC Users:  Summer often brings staffing changes and it’s important that the new staff get set up in EPC so they are prepared to file E-rate forms as soon as they’re due.  Hints:  Only AA’s can create new EPC user accounts and assign User ‘permissions.’  Only AAs can transfer their AA ‘credentials’ to another existing EPC User.  If the AA is the new staff member and the previous AA is no longer with the school or library, contact CSC at 888-203-8100 and they will set up a new EPC AA account (only CSC can do this).  For a complete guide on how to add/remove EPC users, or change AAs, see: https://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/EPC-How-To-Guide-as-of-Nov-2023.pdf.  Also, if you need any new E-rate contacts added to the PA E-rate Listserve, please e-mail me their contact information.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

– Julie

Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org

 

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