{"id":28791,"date":"2019-01-17T19:08:24","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T19:08:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=28791"},"modified":"2019-01-22T19:09:39","modified_gmt":"2019-01-22T19:09:39","slug":"fy-2019-form-471-window-now-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=28791","title":{"rendered":"FY 2019 Form 471 “Window” Now Open!"},"content":{"rendered":"

January 17, 2019<\/p>\n

~ Form 471 Deadline is March 27, 2019 ~
\n~ Post 470\u2019s NOW if you haven\u2019t done so already! ~<\/p>\n

The FY 2019 Form 471 Application Window officially opened yesterday and already 8 PA applicants have submitted Form 471s (listed below)!\u00a0 The absolute final day to post a Form 470 and still have enough time to submit a Form 471 is February 27, but PLEASE DO NOT WAIT THIS LONG as it will only give you a single day to negotiate a contract, obtain board approval (if required), create the EPC Contract Record, and complete the Form 471.\u00a0 For public schools, I recommend that you file all 470s at least 40 days before your February board voting meeting.\u00a0 For nonpublic schools, libraries and other entities that don\u2019t require board approval, I recommend that you have all 470s filed no later than February 1.<\/p>\n

We\u2019ve been told there are a few minor changes to this year\u2019s Form 471, and after I\u2019ve nailed those down, I\u2019ll create a Form 471 Guide and schedule webinar trainings.<\/p>\n

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

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  1. CONTRACT RECORDS:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0 If you have signed a new contract for FY 2019, a new Contract Record must be created in EPC prior to starting the Form 471.\u00a0 If you are submitting an FRN for FY 2019 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 2019 \u2013 just cite that same contract record that\u2019s in your Contract Module when prompted to do so in the Form 471.\u00a0 The only exception to this is if your vendor has a new SPIN number, in which case you should create a new Contract Record but use the new SPIN (there\u2019s no way to edit an existing Contract Record in EPC).<\/li>\n
  2. EPC PROFILE UPDATES:<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. School and library EPC profiles have now been \u201clocked down\u201d and no further changes can be made in EPC.\u00a0 If you need to make changes to your school or library\u2019 EPC profiles, you should submit a RAL Correction in EPC immediately after your 471 is submitted, explaining the changes that should be made. During the review of your 471, PIA will work with you to process the entity profile update.<\/li>\n
    2. Consortia memberships also 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
    3. The ability to link to a consultant also has been locked down, but CSB has the ability to perform this function on the backend.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. CONNECTIVITY SURVEY:<\/strong>\u00a0 Applicants are NO LONGER required to update the Connectivity Module in EPC.\u00a0 The FCC recently decided that the FY 2019 Form 471 will not port over the connectivity questions from EPC and thus applicants are not required to keep those answers current.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        I will be sending messages to the listserve in the coming days related to conducting bid evaluations, creating Contract Records, and filing the Form 471 in EPC.<\/p>\n

        Happy Filing!<\/p>\n

        — Julie<\/p>\n

        p.s.\u00a0 Congratulations to these entities that filed their 471s on the first day of the FY 2019 Application Window!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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        • BEDFORD COUNTY\u00a0 LIBRARY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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        • GESU SCHOOL<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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        • GREEN FREE LIBRARY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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        • SPRINGFIELD TWP SCHOOL DIST<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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        • SUSQUEHANNA CO AR VO-TECH SCH<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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        • TRI -VALLEY FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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        • TRI VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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