March 21, 2017<\/p>\n
By now, I hope you have all filed your Form 470’s to competitively bid the services or equipment for which you will be seeking E-rate discounts in FY 2017 (unless, of course, you’re in a multi-year contract for which a 470 was posted in a previous year), and you are in the final bid evaluation or contracting state (or already have your contracts signed!).\u00a0 What is the last possible date to file a Form 470?<\/strong>\u00a0 There are different answers to that question, depending on whether board approvals are required.\u00a0 If you are an\u2026.<\/p>\n Either way, if you still need to submit a Form 470 this year, do it now.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n When Must a Form 470 be Filed?<\/strong> 2)\u00a0 At the beginning of any new contract.\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 If you posted a Form 470 in a previous year, and then signed a multi-year contract that expires on or after June 30, 2018, you are not required to file a Form 470 for FY 2017.\u00a0 If you wish to exercise a voluntary extension of a contract without posting a 470, you may only do so if your contract contains the terms of the voluntary extensions (meaning the exact number of years or dates that the extensions can be exercised and it’s not just open-ended). \u00a0Otherwise, you must post a Form 470 to extend the contract.<\/p>\n About the Form 470<\/strong><\/p>\n The FY 2017 Form 470 requires filers to build the application by selecting \u201cAdd New Service Request\u201d and then shows drop down boxes and asks specific questions related to that service.\u00a0 Because the choices\/questions on the form aren\u2019t very instructive, you are STRONGLY encouraged to use the narrative box to further describe any services you want (there is only a single narrative box, for each category of service).\u00a0 In addition, if you have an Request for Proposal (RFP), you MUST upload it into the Form 470 at the time the 470 is filed.\u00a0 No longer can you give a URL and direct service providers to your website for a copy.\u00a0 Any RFP addenda, Q & A, additional information given to bidders also must be uploaded to the Form 470, a process that can be done using the Related Actions feature in EPC when on the 470 page.<\/p>\n Important Requirements\/Reminders:<\/strong><\/p>\n Applicants must list “or equivalent” language on the Form 470s for Category 2 services and equipment.\u00a0 For example, you cannot say, “HP 2510 Switch,” but you are permitted to say, “HP 2510 Switch or equivalent.”\u00a0 Any bids received with comparable equipment must be considered in your bid evaluation.\u00a0 If you don’t use these words, USAC will deny your application.\u00a0 You MAY say that the equipment must be interoperable and compatible with your existing xxx make\/model equipment.<\/p>\n If you are using an RFP in addition to your 470, you must upload the RFP with the 470, AND upload any additional documentation given to bidders during the bidding process.\u00a0 If any of the new documentation materially changes the services being bid, you must restart the 28-day clock.\u00a0 To add additional documentation to your RFP: \u00a0find your Form 470 in EPC (easiest way is searching Records in the top toolbar, or Forms at the bottom of your Landing Page), then Related Actions on the left Toolbar, then Add an RFP Document.\u00a0 No such function exists if you only used a Form 470.<\/p>\n If you would like to spread out the non-discounted (the applicant\u2019s share) amount of the cost of special construction, you must indicate so on the 470 under the \u2018Payment Installation Plan\u2019 section located beneath the narrative box.<\/p>\n This is the space where you place instructions on bidders, such as the final date to submit bids (must be at least 29 days after 470 filing date), where to submit bids, in what format, if references are required, if vendors must have SPIN numbers, if you require discounted bills, etc.\u00a0 Use this space wisely!<\/p>\n Hints for Completing the Form 470:<\/strong><\/p>\n C1 and C2 equipment\/services may be included on the same Form 470, but it\u2019s not required. Also, you can file as many 470s as you need.<\/p>\n For voice services on the new 470, it asks for the # of users, instead of # of lines.\u00a0 To get passed the system, list the # of lines in this box, and then in the narrative box list the actual services required. For example, if you need 2 PRIs and 20 POTS lines, in the # of users box you would list 20, and then in the narrative box below, you would explain the services you actually need.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget, voice services are only eligible for 70, 80 and 90% discount applicants in FY 2017.<\/p>\n For most applicants, cellular data is not eligible, but many applicants that are still eligible for voice funding may want to bid both voice\/data bundles.\u00a0 In these cases, choose Cellular Voice on the drop down menu (not Cellular Data), and then list the # of plans.\u00a0 In the narrative box below, list how many voice-only plans you want and how many bundled voice\/data plans you want, recognizing that you will be required to declare the data portion of the bundle as ineligible on the 471.<\/p>\n At the end of the form, the system will require you to select \u2018Review 470\u2019 and will say that it\u2019s generating the PDF.\u00a0 To see the PDF, you must click on \u2018Refresh\u2019 until it appears.\u00a0 The PDF will not appear unless you click Refresh (and sometimes it takes up to 30 seconds to appear).\u00a0 Review the draft and if you want to make changes to the form, click \u2018Edit\u2019 to re-enter the form.\u00a0 To submit, click on the certification box, and then \u2018Continue to Certification\u2019 to proceed with the certification\/submission.<\/p>\n After you’ve “certified” your 470, it’s often difficult to find a final copy.\u00a0 At the bottom of your Landing Page (home), scroll to the bottom where it says Form 470.\u00a0 Click on the 470 Nickname that you gave the form and it will show you a summarized version of the 470.\u00a0 To download an actual copy, click on Generated Documents on the left toolbar, and then Original Version.<\/p>\n * <\/strong>Non-Public School and Library: https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=16921<\/a><\/p>\n * Public School: https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=17051<\/a><\/p>\n * PEPPM Mini-Bidding Information:\u00a0 https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=17131<\/a><\/p>\n If you have any questions about posting last-minute 470s, please let me know!<\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell penn*link<\/p>\n\n\n
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\n1)\u00a0 If a service is covered on a Month-to-Month basis, a new 470 is required annually.<\/p>\n\n
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\n* Category 2 Eligibility: https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=16881<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\nPA E-rate Coordinator
\n717-730-7133 – o
\n717-730-9060 – f
\njtschell@comcast.net<\/a>
\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n