May 3, 2017<\/p>\n
~ Form 471 Deadline is Next Thursday ~<\/p>\n
We’re just eight days away from the FY 2017 Form 471 filing deadline for schools and school districts and I can feel the excitement (some would call it stress)!\u00a0 As of today, it appears that only half of PA applicants have filed their 471s, so there\u2019s much work to be done in the next week.\u00a0 Here are the most frequently asked questions I\u2019ve been receiving in the last few days:<\/p>\n
1. Can we upload contract amendments to our existing Contract Record in EPC?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Unfortunately, you cannot modify or add additional documents to your existing Contract Record in EPC. \u00a0If you amended your contract (perhaps to upgrade bandwidth), PIA may reach out to you to ask why the requested services\/amounts are different than what are contained in your original contract in which case you\u2019ll simply send them the contract amendment. \u00a0Do not create a new contract record simply because a contract was amended.<\/p>\n 2. We just realized that we need to make changes to a school\u2019s entity profile but the system is locked down.\u00a0 What should we do?<\/strong><\/p>\n There was an \u201cAdmin Window\u201d in February where such changes could be made; however, the system is now locked down and no changes can be made, including to Enrollment, NSLP data, Entity Name changes, etc.\u00a0 However, you can list those changes in the Narrative Section of one of your FRNs and PIA will make the updates during their review.\u00a0 Also, you\u2019ll want to submit a RAL correction to memorialize the changes after the 471 is submitted (https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=19551<\/a>).<\/p>\n 3. If a school\u2019s C2 equipment costs exceed the school\u2019s available C2 budget, should we include the total costs in our 471 or remove equipment to meet the school\u2019s C2 budget?<\/strong><\/p>\n Do NOT go over your budget when applying for C2. \u00a0If you do, you will just be contacted by a PIA reviewer who will require you to remove equipment\/costs from your application to meet your C2 budget.\u00a0 The Form 471 isn\u2019t smart enough to know if you\u2019ve exceeded your C2 budget.\u00a0 Also, don\u2019t forget that the FY 2017 Category 2 budgets are as follows:\u00a0 <\/strong>2017 = $153.47\/student, $2.35\/square foot (non-urban libraries), $6.05\/sq. foot (large urban libraries) – or minimum of $9,412.80\/school\/library.<\/p>\n 4. What option do we select for C2 installation?<\/strong><\/p>\n Select > Miscellaneous > Installation from the drop down options.<\/p>\n 5. We\u2019ve conducted our procurement and signed the vendor C2 contract. Can we purchase the equipment now?\u00a0 And do we have to wait until the 471 is submitted to make the purchase?<\/strong><\/p>\n You can purchase the equipment now, pay for it in full, and then when your E-rate funding is approved, you can submit the BEAR for reimbursement.\u00a0 Keep in mind there is always some risk that your application won\u2019t be approved.\u00a0 Also, if you have a signed contract, you can purchase the equipment now even though your 471 isn\u2019t yet submitted (C2 equipment can be purchased any time after April 1 preceding the funding year, or the contract signing date, whichever is later).<\/p>\n 6. Should we apply for voice services for FY 2017 this year if our C1 discount is 60%?<\/strong><\/p>\n If your C1 discount is 60% or less, don\u2019t bother applying for voice services.\u00a0 Voice is being phased out at a 20% rate\/year, and because FY 2017 is the 3rd<\/sup> year of the phase-out, your voice discount would be 0.\u00a0 \u00a070% C1 discount = 10% voice discount; 80% C1 discount = 20% voice discount; and 90% C1 discount = 30% voice discount.<\/p>\n 7. How do we answer the Yes\/No questions for Internet or Data FRNs?<\/strong><\/p>\n 8. We are at the end of our application and noticed that none of our admin buildings are listed in the Connectivity Data.<\/strong><\/p>\n Admin Buildings (NIFs) aren\u2019t included in the Connectivity Questions Module and therefore will not appear at the end of your application where it shows the connectivity data.\u00a0 Also, if you notice that you need to modify any of your connectivity data, just go back to EPC (Related Actions > Manage Connectivity Data) and make the updates. Then when you return to your 471, the changes will appear.<\/p>\n 9. Does the vendor contract have to be signed by both the vendor and the applicant before the 471 is filed?<\/strong><\/p>\n No!\u00a0 Just make sure it’s signed by the applicant.\u00a0 The vendor can sign later.<\/p>\n Stuck?<\/strong>\u00a0 Check out this document which explains the most common places applicants get hung up, and how to get \u2018unstuck\u2019:\u00a0 https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=19731<\/a>.\u00a0 Also,\u00a0 I’ve compiled all of my helpful guides on a single page:\u00a0 https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=19791<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0I can almost guarantee you that your problem and the solution are included in one of these documents!<\/p>\n If you need additional assistance, please don\u2019t hesitate to e-mail me at jtschell@comcast.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n Happy Filing, E-raters!<\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell Penn*link<\/p>\n\n\n
\nPA E-rate Coordinator
\n717-730-7133 – o
\n717-730-9060 – f
\njtschell@comcast.net<\/a>
\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n