Form 470’s Posted,What’s Next?

March 1, 2015

Congratulations to the PA schools and libraries that filed Form 470’s for FY 2015!  The total number of 470’s posted was down about 200, which is attributed to so many schools and libraries not filing for cellular and other voice services this year.  It’s time to turn our attention to the next steps in the application process.

Let’s start with a few simple reminders….

… If you filed your 470 but haven’t yet certified it, please be sure to do so by March 26.  To certify a submitted 470, go to http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/Form470Expert/ReprintOrResubmit_470Certification.aspx.

…If your Form 470 28-day competitive bidding period HASN’T yet expired, or if it has expired but you haven’t yet signed your contract(s) yet, I strongly encourage you to begin your Form 471 online by completing the Basic Information and Discount Calculation/Connectivity Survey sections.  Then after the 28 day waiting period has expired or your contract(s) signed, you can complete the Funding Request, Item 21 and Manage Recipients sections.

…Ifyour 28-day waiting period HAS already expired (meaning your Allowable Contract Date has passed), youmay submit your 471 if you have conducted your bid evaluation, selected your vendors, obtained board approval (if local policy requires), and signed your contract(s) (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.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp) 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 (leave the 470 security code blank as there is no such thing).  At the top of the completed form it will show you your allowable contract date (ACD).

Next,I will be sending separate e-mails, each providing very specific advice on the next steps of the application process….
* Selecting a vendor/bid evaluations,
* Signing contracts (if appropriate), and
* Submittingthe 471.

The Form 471 deadline is Wednesday,March 26 – please don’t wait this long to begin your application!  Please let me know if you have any questions!

Happy Filing!

— 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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