March 22, 2018<\/p>\n
~ Deadline is 11:59 p.m. EDT Tonight ~<\/p>\n
~ Call or e-mail me with questions! ~<\/p>\n
DEADLINE EXTENSION COMMENT:<\/strong>\u00a0 I\u2019ve been contacted by numerous schools and libraries asking if the Form 471 deadline will be extended due to the recent snow.\u00a0 I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WILL BE EXTENDED.\u00a0 However, there is a quasi-safety net provision already in place for those who cannot meet today\u2019s deadline and I will send details to the listserve tomorrow on how to request relief from the FCC.\u00a0 The bottom line is that you MUST \u2013 MUST \u2013 file your Form 471 by April 5 (14 days after the original 471 deadline), and then request a waiver from the FCC to have your application be considered as timely filed.\u00a0 But please try to meet today\u2019s deadline if at all possible because although the FCC has granted these waiver requests in recent years, they are under no requirement to do so.<\/p>\n Here are the most common questions over the last 2 days:<\/p>\n CATEGORY 2:<\/strong><\/p>\n First, the C2 Bulk Upload Templates are optional.\u00a0 But if you\u2019re trying to use it and are having trouble, send it to me and let me troubleshoot.\u00a0 Hint:\u00a0 Use > Right Click > Clear Contents to reset the Reference Numbers in Column A.\u00a0 Also, be sure to use version 18.1 available at: \u00a0https:\/\/www.usac.org\/sl\/applicants\/step03\/form-471.aspx<\/a>.<\/p>\n First, know that the system is not smart enough to know if you\u2019re requesting more funding than remains in your C2 budgets.\u00a0 Second, if a school\u2019s C2 equipment costs exceed the school\u2019s available C2 budget, you have two choices:\u00a0 1) list the amount that is \u201cover budget\u201d as ineligible on the FRN and then explain this in the narrative, or 2) remove components or reduce the cost of the components from the FRN entirely to come in under budget. \u00a0To figure out a school\u2019s remaining C2 budget, multiply $156.23 * Enrollment.\u00a0 Then subtract the pre-discount amounts that were approved in FY 2015, 2016 and 2017 (you can look these up by E-rate entity number at https:\/\/sltools.universalservice.org\/portal-external\/budgetLookup\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n No.\u00a0 Leave those off.<\/p>\n Select > Miscellaneous > Installation from the drop down options.<\/p>\n Equipment licenses should be applied for as Internal Connections.\u00a0 Be careful not to confuse licenses with maintenance charges.\u00a0 If the licenses are maintenance charges, they must be listed on a separate FRN under Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections.<\/p>\n GENERAL:<\/strong><\/p>\n All contracts must be signed by the applicant prior to filing the Form 471. \u00a0\u00a0The vendor is not required to sign by the Form 471 filing.<\/p>\n — If you click on something that takes you out of the 471, or if you deliberately leave the 471, it’s easy to return where you left off.\u00a0 Simply go to your EPC Landing Page by clicking on the USAC Logo, and then under “My Tasks” click on the appropriate “FCC Form 471 – #18XXXXX {Nickname You Gave the Form}.”<\/p>\n — Or if you’re on the ‘Review PDF’ page, click on \u201cEdit Form\u201d in the bottom left corner to get back into the form.<\/p>\n — Or if you clicked on Save and Share or Send for Certification, EPC has sent the form to all “full rights users” in your EPC account, and the form has disappeared from your Landing Page Task List.\u00a0 You’ll have to contact one of the full rights users in your organization and have them send it back to you.<\/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.\u00a0 There\u2019s also no way to delete an existing Contract Record.<\/p>\n There was an \u201cAdmin Window\u201d in December\/early January 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=25111<\/a>).<\/p>\n STATUS UPDATE:<\/strong><\/p>\n As of last night, here is a status of PA’s 471 filings (and how they compare to the last day of the window last year):<\/strong><\/p>\n Applicants:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0783 (100 less than last year on this same day)<\/p>\n 471s:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1400 (300 less than last year on this same day)<\/p>\n FRNs:\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02185 (890 less than last year on this same day)<\/p>\n FRNs in Wave Ready Status: \u00a0\u00a0781<\/p>\n If you have any questions, please let me know!\u00a0 I\u2019m here to help!!!<\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n I \u00a0E-rate!<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell<\/p>\n PA E-rate Coordinator<\/p>\n 717-730-7133 – o<\/p>\n 717-730-9060 – f<\/p>\n\n
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