October 30, 2017<\/p>\n
Attached:\u00a0FY 2018 Veterans Presentation Oct 2017<\/a><\/p>\n Attached:\u00a0C2 Budgets Used As of Oct 30 2017<\/a><\/p>\n Funding Year 2018 officially starts July 1, 2018 (recurring services) and April 1, 2018 (non-recurring purchases), and because E-rate requires us to conduct the procurement and application process well before the funding year begins, it\u2019s time to begin the process for next year!\u00a0 Below is a synopsis of what is changing\/not changing for FY 2018 and I strongly encourage you to read this message in its entirety (items in red are most important). \u00a0Also, attached is a copy of the presentation to veteran PA E-rate applicants on Oct. 25, 2017.<\/p>\n — When you sign in for the first time since last week, you\u2019ll be required to accept new Terms and Conditions.\u00a0 The updated language says you agree that they can submit all correspondence to you electronically.<\/p>\n — The took the left toolbar and made it a horizontal toolbar.<\/p>\n — They made it more difficult to find the USAC Logo, which is the button you need to return to your Landing Page.\u00a0 Now the easiest way is to click on > Reports (on the top blue row) > My Landing Page.<\/p>\n — The Leased Dark Fiber and Self-Provisioned Fiber drop-down choices have been changed to reflect that they must be competitively bid against Leased Lit Fiber.\u00a0 A good change.<\/p>\n — The biggest change comes in the new USAC guidance to 470 request for Internet Access that requires Fiber Transport (otherwise known as bundled Internet).\u00a0 The new guidance requires applicants to select 2 service requests \u2013 \u201cInternet with Transport\u201d AND Leased Lit Fiber.\u00a0 If you\u2019re in a multi-year contract or posted your 470 before August 26, 2017, you\u2019ll be grandfathered under the old rules.\u00a0 I will be sending more information to the listserve on this new guidance very soon.<\/p>\n — There is no 470 filing window.\u00a0 This means that you should be filing your Form 470s now, conducting your bid evaluations in January, taking your contracts to the board in February, and filing the 471 in early March.\u00a0 If you\u2019re unsure if you have to rebid any current services, see https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=22181<\/a> for list of all FY 2017 FRNs and, based on what you entered as the contract expiration date and available contract extensions, a note explaining whether you must rebid the service for FY 2018.\u00a0 A separate message explaining the Form 470 process is coming\u2026<\/p>\n — The eligible services list is not changing for FY 2018 except that the FCC clarified that connections between schools that are located within the same building are considered Category 2.<\/p>\n — FY 2018 is the final year of the voice phase out, with only 90%-discount applicants receiving a 10% voice discount.\u00a0 No voice C2 equipment is eligible.<\/p>\n — There will again be an \u201cAdministrative Window\u201d before the Form 471 window opens, during which time schools must update their enrollment and NSLP\/CEP% data in each school\u2019s EPC profile.\u00a0 The Admin Window is expected to be open from mid-November \u2013 the end of December.\u00a0 Do not update the EPC profiles until you get the green light from me and\/or USAC.<\/p>\n — The Form 471 window dates have not yet been set, although we expect them to be announced in the next few weeks.\u00a0 I am guessing the window will open in early January and close in mid-March.\u00a0 If I\u2019m accurate, this will mean a much earlier Form 471 deadline than the previous two years.\u00a0 The earlier the window closes, the sooner you will receive funding commitments!\u00a0\u00a0 Planning:\u00a0 be sure to have all of your contracts taken to your board at their February meeting.<\/p>\n I am optimistic that Funding Year 2018 will go much more smoothly than the last two year and I encourage you to get started now!\u00a0 \u00a0If you have any questions about anything in this message, please e-mail me at jtschell@comcast.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n Funding Year 2018 \u2013 Here We Come!<\/strong><\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell penn*link<\/p>\n\n\n
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\nPA E-rate Coordinator
\n717-730-7133 – o
\n717-730-9060 – f
\njtschell@comcast.net<\/a>
\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n