BULK UPLOAD TEMPLATE – Internal Connections – Version 18.1<\/a><\/p>\n~ Deadline is just 10 days away! ~<\/p>\n
The FY 2018 Form\u00a0471 deadline is Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. EDT.\u00a0 So far, 452 PA entities have submitted 1076 FRNs, and 550 of those are already in \u201cWave Ready\u201d status which means there\u2019s a strong likelihood that they will be funded in Wave 1!<\/p>\n
A few important updates and reminders:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n- Copy FRN Function Fixed<\/strong> \u2013 On Friday USAC announced that they fixed the problems with the Copy FRN feature and it should no longer cause system errors.\u00a0 This can be a real time saver if you have large FRNs (particularly Category 1 FRNs) from a previous year, or even another FY 2018 Form 471, that you just want to copy and make updates.\u00a0 Be sure to update the Service Start Date to 7\/1\/2018, and review the requested amounts and Recipients of Service to ensure all data is still accurate.\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 If you added or removed entities from your EPC profile since last year, those changes will not be reflected in the newly copied FRN so updates will need to be made in order for the application to proceed.<\/li>\n
- Revised Category 2 Bulk Upload Template<\/strong> \u2013 Without warning, USAC issued an updated version of their C2 Bulk Upload Template to ver 18.1. \u00a0If using the Bulk Upload feature, you must use this new version from now on.\u00a0 Version 18.1 is attached and also is available at https:\/\/www.usac.org\/sl\/applicants\/step03\/form-471.aspx<\/a>. \u00a0A guide for using the Bulk Upload Template is available at: https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=24491<\/a>. \u00a0If you\u2019re having trouble getting the template to work, let me know.<\/li>\n
- Category 2 Budget Amounts<\/strong> \u2013 USAC has still not \u201cofficially\u201d announced the inflation-adjusted Category 2 per-pupil amounts for FY 2018, likely because they\u2019re wrestling with a compounding\/rounding issue. \u00a0I believe that the $156.23\/student amount is firm, but the library per square foot may be $2.39 or $2.40.\u00a0 Libraries, please use the $2.39 amount to be safe and not go over budget.<\/li>\n
- Don\u2019t Make Category 2 Purchases Before April 1<\/strong> \u2013 I\u2019ve heard from a few vendors that they\u2019ve already received Purchase Orders for FY 2018 E-rate orders, which is a no-no.\u00a0 E-rate rules permit the purchasing of Internal Connections equipment on or after April 1, 2018 \u2013 but not before.<\/li>\n
- Respond Promptly to PIA Inquiries<\/strong> \u2013 Many of you are already receiving PIA questions (PIA is the arm of USAC that reviews every line of every application).\u00a0 Please be sure to respond to these inquiries promptly so you can get in the queue for an earlier funding wave.\u00a0 If you have any questions, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact me for assistance!<\/li>\n
- Have Written Documentation if Extending a Contract<\/strong> \u2013 If you have a contract that includes voluntary extensions, and you are exercising one of those extensions for FY 2018, be sure to have something in writing to or with the service provider.\u00a0 PIA will see that your Contract Expiration Date is a year later than last year and will require you to submit proof that you extended the contract.\u00a0 Such documentation to or with the service provider must be dated on or before the date you submitted your Form 471. \u00a0It\u2019s also a good idea to mention in the FRN Narrative box that you are extending the contract.<\/li>\n
- Have Documentation of Taxes\/Surcharges<\/strong> \u2013 If your invoices include vendor taxes\/surcharges, be sure to include those amounts on a separate FRN Line Item.\u00a0 I\u2019ve heard that PIA is asking for proof of those amounts this year, so be prepared to provide PIA a copy of a vendor invoice or contract that shows these amounts, should you be asked.\u00a0 If you have signed a new contract with a vendor and don\u2019t yet know the taxes\/fees, REQUIRE YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THIS INFORMATION.\u00a0 For most broadband services, vendors charge the 5% PA Gross Receipts Tax (at a minimum), and many also charge the Universal Service Fee (currently 18.4%). \u00a0Most Internet invoices do not include taxes\/surcharges.<\/li>\n
- Timing of FY 2018 Funding Commitments?<\/strong> \u2013 I expect the first funding wave for FY 2018 will come out in early May.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/ol>\n
Please e-mail me if you have any questions!<\/p>\n
Happy Form 471 Filing!<\/p>\n
— Julie<\/p>\n
Julie Tritt Schell
\nPA E-rate Coordinator
\n717-730-7133 – o
\n717-730-9060 – f
\njtschell@comcast.net<\/a>
\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\nPenn*link<\/p>\n\n