May 4, 2018<\/p>\n
Happy Spring, E-raters! The flowers are in full bloom and so are the FY 2018 PIA Reviews and funding commitments!\u00a0 Please take a few minutes to reach these important updates:<\/p>\n
FY 2018 Funding Commitments:<\/strong>\u00a0 We\u2019ve had 4 funding waves so far, deciding about 70% of PA\u2019s funding requests, and all but 350 FRNs are in some stage of PIA review.\u00a0 If you\u2019d haven\u2019t yet been funded but would like to know what stage of review your application resides, > Log into EPC Landing Page > Search for your Form 471 at the bottom of the page > Click on the Form 471 Application Number > Look at the top of the page for the 471 Status Bar.\u00a0 If you need assistance with understanding the overall PIA review process, please see:\u00a0 https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=25321<\/a>.\u00a0 If you need assistance with responding to a PIA inquiry, please e-mail me!<\/p>\n Denials:<\/strong>\u00a0 Luckily, only a handful of FRNs have been denied so far this year, but even one denial is too many.\u00a0 If your FRN has been denied (and it\u2019s not due to the phase out of voice), please consider appealing.\u00a0 Most denials are related to the applicant not responding to PIA requests, or reducing their C2 requests to meet the available C2 budgets.\u00a0 Both of these reasons can be overturned on appeal!\u00a0 Appeals are due to USAC within 60 calendar days of the FCDL date.\u00a0 If you need assistance is crafting your appeal, please contact me!<\/p>\n Filing 486s:<\/strong>\u00a0 The next step after receiving a FCDL (funding commitment decision letter) is to file the Form 486. It\u2019s a very easy form to submit and I strongly encourage you to file it on the day you receive the FCDL so you don\u2019t forget.\u00a0 Two reminders:\u00a0 Check the \u2018Early Filing Box\u2019 if filing the 486 before July 31, and be careful not to be \u201cclick happy\u201d on the CIPA certifications.\u00a0 Full instructions on the Form 486 can be found at:\u00a0 https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=25591<\/a>.<\/p>\n Purchasing Category 2 Equipment Now:<\/strong>\u00a0 Applicants are allowed to purchase their C2 equipment now, even if they haven\u2019t yet received their FCDLs, because E-rate rules permit the purchase\/installation of equipment after April 1 (3 months ahead of the start of the funding year).\u00a0 Vendor invoices to schools\/libraries are permitted to be dated on or after April 1, but BEARs or vendor SPIs cannot be submitted to USAC for reimbursement until July 1 (or the FCDL\/486 submission date, whichever is later).\u00a0 If you do purchase equipment before receiving the FCDL, know that vendors may want you to pay 100% of the cost and then seek reimbursement from USAC via the BEAR.\u00a0 \u00a0When purchasing C2 equipment, please review these purchasing\/documentation guidelines:\u00a0 https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=25401<\/a>.<\/p>\n Changing 471 Contacts:\u00a0 <\/strong>If you have a new staff member handing E-rate for your school or library \u2013 one that is different than the name listed on the 471 \u2013 please submit a RAL Modification in EPC at to make this change so the PIA reviewer knows where to send the PIA inquiry.\u00a0 You\u2019ll also want to contact CSB and obtain a new EPC account for the new E-rate contact (888-203-8100) and be sure they have a record of where the PIA correspondence should be sent moving forward.\u00a0 For help with RAL Modifications, see: https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=25111<\/a>.<\/p>\n Phantom 471 Reminder E-mails:\u00a0 <\/strong>I\u2019ve received multiple reports of 471 \u201creminder\u201d e-mails being sent to applicants.\u00a0 If you get one of these, don\u2019t worry.\u00a0 It means you have an unfinished (abandoned) 471 sitting in EPC that you started, but then didn\u2019t submit.\u00a0 Simply go to your EPC Landing Page, and under My Tasks, click on the 471 link.\u00a0 Then click \u201cDiscard Form\u201d and *poof* those reminder e-mails will go away.<\/p>\n Don’t Forget to Cancel Expiring Contracts:<\/strong>\u00a0 If you are changing service providers beginning July 1, 2018 or no longer need a particular service, don’t forget to notify your existing vendor in writing that your service will be terminating on June 30.\u00a0 Many contracts, even if they contain an expiration date, require that notice must be provided X number of days in advance or the contract will continue for another year.\u00a0 You don’t want to be caught having to pay for service you don’t want simply because you forgot to give the required notice.<\/p>\n Nationwide E-rate Survey:\u00a0 <\/strong>A nationwide E-rate survey is being conducted by Funds for Learning, asking schools and libraries to contribute their opinions and experiences with the E-rate application process and I’m asking you to take 3 minutes and complete the survey (anonymously, if you prefer).\u00a0 At the end of the survey, respondents have the opportunity to provide any additional comments they want to convey to USAC and the FCC and I can tell you that they are read!\u00a0 The nationwide results will be tabulated into a comprehensive report which is then shared with the FCC, USAC and the general public.\u00a0 The survey is available at:\u00a0 https:\/\/surveymonkey.com\/r\/erate18<\/a>. \u00a0Not only do I want the federal policy makers and administrator to hear from PA applicants, but I want PA to have the MOST responses of any other state!\u00a0 I hope you will take a few minutes and complete it in the next few days.\u00a0 Thank you!<\/p>\n As always, please contact me if you need E-rate assistance!<\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell 717-730-7133 – o
\nPA E-rate Coordinator<\/p>\n
\n717-730-9060 – f
\njtschell@comcast.net<\/a>
\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n