{"id":24761,"date":"2018-02-20T02:11:58","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T02:11:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=24761"},"modified":"2018-02-23T02:12:55","modified_gmt":"2018-02-23T02:12:55","slug":"mid-window-e-rate-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=24761","title":{"rendered":"Mid-Window E-rate Update"},"content":{"rendered":"

February 20, 2018<\/p>\n

~ 32 Days Until the Form 471 Deadline ~
\n~ 2 Days Remain to File 470 ~<\/p>\n

Welcome back from the long weekend, E-raters!\u00a0 It\u2019s time to really buckle down on your FY 2018 E-rate funding requests as we\u2019re headed into the home stretch of the FY 2018 E-rate Filing Window.\u00a0 Please review the updates\/hints below to ensure your E-rate applications will be successful.\u00a0 These are general filing updates; I\u2019ll send specific C1 and C2 filing updates in separate messages.<\/p>\n

Last Minute Form 470s or PEPPM Mini-Bids<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t done so already, it\u2019s time to post any last minute Form 470s for new equipment, for C1 MTM services (must be filed annually), or for services\/equipment covered under a new contract. \u00a0 For specific Form 470 reminders and hints, see:\u00a0https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?page_id=754<\/a>.\u00a0 The very last day that you can post a 470 is February 22, but this only leaves the final day of the Form 471 window \u2013 March 22 — to evaluate your bids, obtain local approvals, sign contracts, upload contracts and complete the 471.\u00a0 Please don\u2019t wait another minute to file your Form 470!<\/p>\n

Changing\/Updating Enrollment & NSLP Data<\/strong><\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s too late up update your EPC Profile (the Admin Window closed on January 10), if you find that you forgot to update your data or found inaccuracies, you can still make corrections.\u00a0 After the 471 is submitted, submit a RAL Modification using these steps:\u00a0 From your EPC Landing Page > Name of District or Library > Forms (from top toolbar) > Form 471 > FY 2018 > Select 471 Number > Related Actions (from top toolbar) > Submit Modification Request (RAL) > Answer the appropriate questions in the RAL Correction module.\u00a0 Use the \u201cEntity\u201d portion of the RAL Modification module to update the enrollment\/NSLP data.\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 although it\u2019s not required, it also may be helpful to list the updated data in the Form 471 narrative box.<\/p>\n

Copy FRN Functionality \u2013 Don\u2019t Use<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Form 471 contains the functionality to copy previously-generated FRNs to your FY 2018 application.\u00a0 While I think this is a great time-saver, I am advising against using this functionality for FY 2018.\u00a0 Why? \u00a0Almost every glitch that has been reported to me thus far during this Form 471 filing window has been attributed back to the Copy FRN feature.\u00a0 Also, when applicants select \u2018yes\u2019 that this is a continuation of a service from a previous year, the system changes this answer to \u201cno\u201d when the previous year\u2019s FRN is copied, which is then resulting in PIA questions about why they selected \u2018no\u2019 when it should have been \u2018yes\u2019.<\/p>\n

Reminders Before Starting Form 471:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. CONNECTIVITY SURVEY:<\/strong>\u00a0 Be sure your Connectivity Data Module in EPC is up to date.\u00a0 If no changes have been made in your Internet bandwidth, building broadband levels or building WIFI connectivity since last year, no updates are required.\u00a0 If you have experienced changes in one of these areas, don\u2019t forget to update this information in the Connectivity Data Module in EPC prior.\u00a0 If you do nothing, the data you entered in last year\u2019s Connectivity Data Module will remain and be brought forward to your FY 2018 Form 471.\u00a0 \u00a0Remember, this is just a survey and has no direct connection to your Funding Requests.<\/li>\n
  2. CONTRACT RECORDS:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 If you signed a new contract for FY 2018, a new Contract Record must be created in EPC prior to starting the Form 471.\u00a0 If you are submitting an FRN for FY 2018 based on a multi-year contract for which you created a Contract Record in EPC in a previous year, you should NOT create a new Contract Record for FY 2018 \u2013 just cite that same contract record that\u2019s in your Contract Module when prompted to do so in the Form 471.<\/li>\n
  3. CONSORTIA MEMBER UPDATES:<\/strong>\u00a0 Consortia profiles in EPC have been \u201clocked down\u201d HOWEVER, the Client Service Bureau (CSB) does have the ability to assist consortia leaders with updating their consortia membership.\u00a0 Call them at 888-203-8100 or create a Customer Service Case in EPC prior to starting your Form 471.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Category 1 and Category 2 Filing Guides, Etc.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Helpful Documents page on the PA E-rate website (https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?page_id=754<\/a>) is filled with Guides and useful information to help you be successful.\u00a0 Please refer to this page to guide you through any step of the process:<\/p>\n