{"id":32697,"date":"2020-10-08T00:58:30","date_gmt":"2020-10-08T00:58:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=32697"},"modified":"2020-10-12T01:02:48","modified_gmt":"2020-10-12T01:02:48","slug":"2nd-form-471-window-filing-instructions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=32697","title":{"rendered":"2nd Form 471 Window – Filing Instructions"},"content":{"rendered":"

October 8, 2020<\/span><\/p>\n

Attached:\u00a02nd Form 471 Window Filing Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Due to the significant number of schools that have needed to increase their on-campus bandwidth to meet educational needs during the pandemic, the FCC has authorized a second FY 2020 Form 471 filing window for Category 1 services.\u00a0 The application window is open and the deadline to submit a new Form 471 is Friday, October 16, 2020.<\/p>\n

This message and the attached detailed 2nd Window Form 471 Filing Guide are intended to be a roadmap to submitting a compliant and quickly-approved Form 471.\u00a0\u00a0 Please review the Guide carefully as you begin to file your application.<\/p>\n

Form 470 Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. Are schools required to post a new Form 470 if their original contract did not contain the new bandwidth levels and costs?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>No, if a Form 470 was cited on a Form 471 that was submitted in the original FY 2020 application window, no additional Form 470 is needed for services upgraded through June 30, 2021.<\/li>\n
  2. Can schools select a different vendor to provide the additional bandwidth if the new vendor can provide the service at a lower price than my current contract?<\/strong>\u00a0 This question has been posed to USAC and it is still pending.\u00a0 In the absence of \u201cofficial\u201d guidance, here is my informal advice:\u00a0 Based on the Order, I believe the FCC intended for schools to upgrade through their existing service provider, if possible.\u00a0 If local procurement policies require you to conduct a new procurement, then the Order specifically permits you to file a \u201cQuick 470\u201d and select a second vendor to provide the additional bandwidth.\u00a0 If you use this option, I suggest you obtain a few vendor quotes to prove that the new vendor contract is cost effective.\u00a0 A \u201cQuick 470\u201d means that you don\u2019t have wait 28 days to receive bids.<\/li>\n
  3. Can I file a new Form 471 and purchase on a month-to-month basis?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Yes, but first post a Quick Form 470 and review the bids before filing the Form 471.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Vendor Contracts\/Contract Amendments<\/strong><\/p>\n