{"id":31977,"date":"2019-11-21T01:08:58","date_gmt":"2019-11-21T01:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=31977"},"modified":"2019-11-22T01:23:04","modified_gmt":"2019-11-22T01:23:04","slug":"time-to-file-the-e-rate-form-470-for-fy-2020","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=31977","title":{"rendered":"Time to File the E-rate Form 470 for FY 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\">November 21, 2019<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Attached:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Form-470-Category-1-Filing-Guide-FY-2020-.pdf\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Form 470 Category 1 Filing Guide &#8211; FY 2020<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Attached:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FY-2020-Rebidding-Status-for-Category-1-Services-1.xlsx\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_xlsx\" target=\"_blank\">FY 2020 Rebidding Status for Category 1 Services (1)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Attached:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Internet-Access-Form-470-Filing-Cheat-Sheet.pdf\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Internet Access Form 470 Filing Cheat Sheet<\/a><\/p>\n<p>~ List of PA Applicants that May Need to File 470 for Recurring Services Attached ~ ~ Category 1 Form 470 Filing Guide Attached ~ ~ Internet Access Form 470 Cheat Sheet Attached ~ The Form 470 marks the start of the FY\u00a02020 funding year because it opens the\u00a0competitive bidding process for equipment and services that aren\u2019t yet under contract for FY 2020.\u00a0 In the Form 470, schools and libraries identify and seek proposals for the products and services they need, and for which they will be requesting E-rate discounts, so that potential service providers can review your requests and submit proposals to you for consideration.\u00a0 \u00a0Attached is a Form 470 Filing Guide for Category 1 services that provide complete details and step-by-step screenshots showing how to complete the Form.\u00a0 Category 2 bidding and filing instructions will be sent after the FCC releases the Category 2 Order in the next few weeks. <strong>Form 470 Changes for FY 2020<\/strong> The FCC is expected the make major changes to the form for next year, but for FY 2020, the Form 470 has not changed.\u00a0 This means that the \u2018unusual\u2019 Internet Access choices are the same.\u00a0\u00a0Essentially\u2026<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you are seeking proposals for Internet delivered over Fiber Transport, you must select \u201c<strong>Leased Lit Fiber (with or without Internet Access)<\/strong>\u201d and then explain in the narrative that you\u2019re seeking Internet and at what bandwidth.<\/li>\n<li>If you are seeking proposals for Internet via a different mode of transport (cable modem, DSL, etc.), then you must select \u201c<strong>Internet Access and Transport Bundled \u2013 Non-Fiber.<\/strong>\u201d\u00a0 But be careful not to specify which transport mode you\u2019re seeking.<\/li>\n<li>If you are seeking proposals for both Internet delivered over Fiber, AND a separate Leased Lit Fiber wide area network, you should create two separate services on the 470 and then explain in the narrative what exact services you want for each.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 The\u00a0<strong>\u201cLeased Lit Fiber\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0service drop down option is used for two things:\u00a0 1)\u00a0Internet Access service that is delivered over a leased lit\u00a0<strong>fiber\u00a0<\/strong>circuit, and 2)\u00a0Leased Lit Fiber circuits \u2013 not including Internet\u00a0&#8212; but you\u2019ll want to make it clear to vendors that you\u2019re actually are seeking proposals for different types of services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To help you decide which Form 470 drop down to select based on the actual service you\u2019re seeking, I\u2019ve created the attached\u00a0Internet Dropdown Cheat Sheet. \u00a0Note that that transport selections are at the top of the chart and the Internet selections are at the bottom in red \u2013 but these are not the same order as you will see them on the actual Form 470 drop down list. <strong>When Must a Form 470 be Filed?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">1)\u00a0 If a service is covered on a Month-to-Month basis (meaning no contract), a new Form 470 is required annually.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">2)\u00a0 At the\u00a0beginning\u00a0of any new contract.\u00a0 Note:\u00a0 If you posted a Form 470 in a previous year, and then signed a multi-year contract that expires on or after June 30, 2020, you are\u00a0not\u00a0required to file a Form 470 for FY 2020.\u00a0 If you wish to exercise a voluntary extension of a contract without posting a 470, you may only do so if your original contract contains the terms of the voluntary extensions (meaning the exact number of years or dates that the extensions can be exercised and it&#8217;s not just open-ended). \u00a0Otherwise, you must post a Form 470 to extend the contract.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who Must File for FY 2020?<\/strong> Attached is a list of all recurring services FRNs submitted in FY 2019 and a note explaining whether *<strong>I think<\/strong>* they need to be rebid for FY 2020.\u00a0 My conclusions are drawn from a few factors \u2013 whether your contract expires on or after June 2020, and whether you have any contract extensions available to be exercised so that rebidding isn\u2019t necessary.\u00a0 The data is also color coded as follows:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Red:\u00a0 Must rebid services.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Blue:\u00a0 May need to rebid, depending on whether contract extension is signed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Black:\u00a0 Service under contract and no rebid is required.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Form 470 Narrative Box and RFPs<\/strong> The Form 470 requires filers to build the application by selecting \u201cAdd New Service Request\u201d and then selecting one (or more) drop down selections.\u00a0 The form then asks questions related to the selected service.\u00a0 Because the questions on the form aren\u2019t very instructive, you are STRONGLY encouraged to use the narrative box to further describe any services you want (there is only a single narrative box, for each category of service).\u00a0 In addition, if you have an Request for Proposal (RFP), you MUST upload it into the Form 470 at the time the 470 is filed.\u00a0 In addition, any RFP addenda, Q &amp; A, or additional information given to bidders\u00a0also\u00a0must be uploaded to the Form 470 with the RFP, a process that is done using the \u2018Related Actions\u2019 feature in EPC when on the 470 page.\u00a0 However, this can only happen if an RFP was uploaded with the 470 initially.\u00a0 Important:\u00a0\u00a0When any of the services or locations change, the 28-day clock must be restarted. <strong>Deadline to File Form 470<\/strong> Although the very last possible date to file a 470 is 29 days before the 471 window closes,\u00a0do not wait\u00a0this long to file.\u00a0\u00a0I encourage everyone to file their 470&#8217;s by the first week in December!\u00a0 You will then receive vendor questions\/proposals during the month of December, can evaluate your bids and select your vendors in January, have your board approve contracts in January or February (if required by local policy), and then sign your contracts and file your 471 in early March. <strong>Important Requirements\/Reminders:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>List bid due date in Form 470 or RFP<\/strong>.\u00a0 If such a deadline isn\u2019t stated, you must consider all bids received up until the date you conduct your bid evaluation.\u00a0 I suggest the following language:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\"><strong>\u201cDeadline for vendor proposals is 9:00 am Eastern, 29 days from the date this Form 470 is posted.\u00a0 We reserve the right to reject late-submitted proposals. \u00a0Proposals must be e-mailed to the Form 470 contact unless otherwise noted.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>All disqualification reasons\u00a0must\u00a0be stated on the 470 or in the RFP<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Must bid &#8220;equivalent&#8221; products for internal connections<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">Applicants must list &#8220;or equivalent&#8221; language on the Form 470s for Category 2 services and equipment.\u00a0 For example, you cannot say, &#8220;HP 2510 Switch,&#8221; but you are permitted to say, &#8220;HP 2510 Switch or equivalent.&#8221;\u00a0 Any bids received with comparable equipment must be considered in your bid evaluation.\u00a0 If you don&#8217;t use these words, USAC will deny your application.\u00a0 You MAY say that the equipment must be interoperable and compatible with your existing xxx make\/model equipment.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Upload RFP with 470<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you are using an RFP in addition to your 470, you must upload the RFP with the 470, AND upload any additional documentation given to bidders during the bidding process.\u00a0 If any of the new documentation materially changes the services being bid or entities served, you must restart the 28-day clock.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Installment Payment Plan with vendors<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">If you would like to spread out the non-discounted (the applicant\u2019s share) amount of the cost of special construction (installation), you must indicate so on the 470 under the \u2018Payment Installation Plan\u2019 section located beneath the narrative box.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Use State\/Local Procurement Requirements narrative box<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">This is the space where you place instructions on bidders, such as the final date to submit bids (must be at least 29 days after 470 filing date), where to submit bids, in what format, if references are required, if vendors must have SPIN numbers, if you require discounted bills, etc.\u00a0 Use this space wisely!<\/p>\n<p><strong>Hints for Completing the Form 470:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Viewing Draft 470 Before Filing<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">At the end of the form, the system will require you to select \u2018Review 470\u2019 and will say that it\u2019s generating the PDF.\u00a0 To see the PDF, you must click on \u2018Refresh\u2019 until it appears.\u00a0 The PDF will not appear unless you click Refresh (and sometimes it takes up to 30 seconds to appear).\u00a0 Review the draft and if you want to make changes to the form, click \u2018Back to re-enter the form.\u00a0 To submit, check on the certification box, and then \u2018Continue to Certification\u2019 to proceed with the certification\/submission.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Obtaining a Final, Submitted Copy of Your 470<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">After you&#8217;ve &#8220;certified&#8221; your Form 470, it&#8217;s often difficult to find a final copy.\u00a0 At the bottom of your Landing Page (home), scroll to the bottom where it says FCC Forms and Post-Commitment Requests.\u00a0 Select \u2018Form 470\u2019 and the funding year.\u00a0 Thenclick on the 470 Nickname that you gave the form and it will show you a summarized version of the 470.\u00a0 To download an actual copy, click on \u2018Generated Documents\u2019 on the top toolbar, and then \u2018Original Version.\u2019<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 30px;\">It\u2019s important that you begin the Form 470 bidding process as soon as possible so you don\u2019t run out of time during the Form 471 application window.\u00a0\u00a0 If you have any questions about filing the Form 470, please e-mail me at\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:jtschell@comcast.net\">jtschell@comcast.net<\/a>!<\/p>\n<p>Happy Filing!<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-31984\" src=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/erate-flow.jpg\" alt=\"erate-flow\" width=\"493\" height=\"343\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; Julie Julie Tritt Schell PA E-rate Coordinator 717-730-7133 <a href=\"mailto:jtschell@comcast.net\">jtschell@comcast.net<\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.e-ratepaorg.local\/\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=http:\/\/www.e-ratepaorg.local\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1574445729918000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHjWES1Xh5-R31dA7y6evFgkqeXaw\">www.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n\n<div class=\"twitter-share\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?via=eratepenn\" class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-size=\"large\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>November 21, 2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31977","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-listserve_archive"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31977","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=31977"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31977\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=31977"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=31977"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=31977"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}