{"id":32767,"date":"2020-11-03T01:12:09","date_gmt":"2020-11-03T01:12:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=32767"},"modified":"2020-11-11T01:22:26","modified_gmt":"2020-11-11T01:22:26","slug":"lets-begin-e-rate-funding-year-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=32767","title":{"rendered":"Let&#8217;s Begin E-rate Funding Year 2021!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\">November 3, 2020<\/span><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019m so excited to announce the beginning of the FY 2021 E-rate application process!\u00a0\u00a0 Below is a summary of the changes you can expect for FY 2021, important reminders, and a helpful \u201cwhat to do by what date\u201d chart at the bottom.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1) \u00a0No Changes to Eligible Services Expected or Form 470 Service Selections<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; Although the FY 2021 Eligible Services List has not yet been released, I do not expect any changes.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; You may recall that in recent years the Form 470 contained confusing drop-down options for applicants seeking Internet Access services.\u00a0 Unfortunately,\u00a0the FY 2021 Form 470 drop downs have not changed.\u00a0 The FCC is expected to make form changes for FY 2022, but for FY 2021, here is how you should file for Internet:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>If you want Internet delivered over Fiber Transport, you must select \u201c<strong>Leased Lit Fiber with or without Internet<\/strong>\u201d and then explain in the narrative that you\u2019re seeking Internet and at what bandwidth level(s).<\/li>\n<li>If you are seeking 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<\/li>\n<li>Entire Form 470 Service Selection drop down cheat sheet is available at:\u00a0\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\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Internet-Access-Form-470-Filing-Cheat-Sheet.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEq7y2HKjkN6wVisI7hzcMPFjx5HQ\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Internet-Access-Form-470-Filing-Cheat-Sheet.pdf<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2) \u00a0Changes for Category 2 Budgets and Equipment Transfers<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; Beginning in Funding Year 2021, the new Category 2 rules go into effect and all applicants will start fresh with a new, 5-year C2 pre-discount budget.\u00a0 A summary of the changes and a list containing each applicant\u2019s 5-year, C2 pre-discount budget under the new rules is available at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=32602\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p%3D32602&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHkEaNo9axcyS_Eux3liBOXY4O5YA\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=32602<\/a>.\u00a0 \u00a0Most importantly,\u00a0C2 budgets are calculated at the school district or library system level, with no more individual school or library building C2 budget caps.\u00a0\u00a0Although you will still be required to list on the Form 471 what equipment will be used by what school or library, you may transfer equipment (for any funding year) anytime after July 1, 2021.\u00a0 Please begin to consider your internal connections needs for each building so you\u2019re prepared to release your 470\/RFP or PEPPM mini-bid before Thanksgiving.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3) \u00a0Form 471 Filing Window Dates<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; USAC has not yet announced the official Form 471 Filing Window dates, but indicated recently that they expect the window to open around mid January and close in mid\/late March).\u00a0 For a suggested FY 2021 bidding\/filing timeline, see the chart at the bottom of this message.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4) \u00a0Updating Entity Profiles the \u201cAdministrative Window\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; The \u201cAdministrative Window\u201d is the window\u00a0<em>before<\/em>\u00a0the 471 window, during which time schools usually update their enrollment and NSLP (or CEP%) data in each school\u2019s EPC profile.\u00a0 The Admin Window opened October 16 and is expected to close the first week in January.\u00a0 Typically I receive draft enrollment\/NSLP (CEP%) data from PDE\u2019s Bureau of Food and Nutrition in mid December and distribute it to schools to use as they update their EPC profiles.\u00a0 However, I\u2019m hearing from numerous schools that families aren\u2019t returning NSLP forms this year and you\u2019re understandably concerned about the impact on E-rate discounts.\u00a0 For this reason,\u00a0I ask that you do\u00a0<strong>not<\/strong>\u00a0update your EPC profiles until I can obtain clear guidance from PDE and USAC about which datasets you should\/can use.\u00a0 I\u2019ll likely advise that schools use last year\u2019s data unless your current data accurately reflects your poverty level and provides a higher discount than last year, but until then, please stay tuned\u2026<\/p>\n<p><strong>5) \u00a0New School \u201cSubTypes\u201d in EPC<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; USAC has introduced three new school \u201csubtypes\u201d in EPC.\u00a0 Some schools, particularly IUs, will want to be certain that the program facilities at which they provide instruction are listed in their EPC portals and are classified as General Use Schools.\u00a0 This way, they could potentially be eligible for the minimum $25,000 C2 budget.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>General Use School:<\/strong>\u00a0 Offers instruction to students drawn from other schools, and student counts can change throughout the year.\u00a0 Some examples of general-use schools are magnet schools, special education units, computer centers, or career centers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Detention Center:<\/strong>\u00a0 Treated in the same way as a juvenile justice facility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Swing School:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0A building that temporarily houses students from a school may need to be relocated due to closure, construction, or a revamping of their technological infrastructure at the school.\u00a0 \u00a0Note:\u00a0\u00a0 A swing school differs from an annex.\u00a0 An annex is considered a part of the school it shares an entity number with rather than a temporary relocation site, while a swing space \u2013 although associated with a school \u2013 is part of the school district where the school is located and is considered a school in its own right with its own entity number.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>6) \u00a0Be Sure to Add Bid Due Date to All Form 470\u2019s<\/strong><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong>&#8212; Last year USAC clarified that if your Form 470 or RFP doesn\u2019t state a deadline for vendors to submit proposals, you must consider all bids received up until the date you conduct your bid evaluation.\u00a0 This is different from previous guidance which was that vendors should consider the 28<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0day after the 470 is posted as the default deadline to submit bids.\u00a0 Therefore, it is extremely important that you state a deadline for vendors to submit proposals (which, of course, must be on or after the 28-day waiting period).\u00a0 I suggest the following language:<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cDeadline for vendor proposals is 9:00 am Eastern, on XX\/XX\/XXXX.\u00a0 We reserve the right to reject late-submitted proposals. \u00a0Proposals must be e-mailed to the Form 470 contact unless otherwise noted.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Just be sure that the date you fill in at\u00a0XX\/XX\/XXXX\u00a0is at least 29 days after the date you post your Form 470.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7) \u00a0Unsure Whether You Need to Rebid Category 1 Services This Year?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; In order to remind you of the status of your current Category 1 contracts (telecom and Internet), please see this message (<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=32690\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p%3D32690&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNF5mfFNrTl3b1-aDv4-_2WjFs8A_w\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=32690<\/a>) sent\u00a0to the listserve a few weeks ago that provides a list of all FY 2020 C1 FRNs, and the expiration dates of those contracts.\u00a0 In the spreadsheet there\u2019s an additional column \u2013 \u201cJulie\u2019s Rebidding Status Notes\u201d \u2013 explaining whether I think the service must be rebid for FY 2021.\u00a0 Please note that this data was taken directly from your FY 2020 From 471 submissions.\u00a0 If you listed the wrong contract expiration date on last year\u2019s application, be sure to enter the accurate date on the FY 2021 application (and be prepared to show PIA your contract as you will likely receive questions on why the date changed).<\/p>\n<p><strong>8) \u00a0Extending an Existing Contract?<\/strong><br \/>\n&#8212; If your original contract included (finite, not open-ended) voluntary extensions and you wish to exercise one of those extensions for FY 2021, be certain to notify the vendor in writing of that decision before the Form 471 is filed.\u00a0 USAC will ask for a copy of that written notification during PIA review, so be sure to retain evidence of that notification.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9) \u00a0Changes to FY 2021 Form 471<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; The FY 2021 Form 471 is expected to include form improvements (thanks to stakeholder feedback), such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Easier navigation from FRN to FRN Line Items (previously it wasn\u2019t intuitive that you had to click on the FRN Number to get to the FRN Line Item page)<\/li>\n<li>Ability to easily access narrative text box while creating FRN Line Items (there will not be separate FRN Line Item narrative boxes)<\/li>\n<li>Will no longer request bandwidth questions when requesting Taxes\/Fees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>10) \u00a0Set Up in One Portal Yet?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; In July, USAC introduced a new One Portal Log-In System that houses both EPC and BEAR systems and requires two-authentication factors to log-in (your EPC password and a 6-digit code that is sent either via e-mail or text).\u00a0 To enter the BEAR System, both authentication factors are required, in addition to a BEAR PIN.\u00a0 If you haven\u2019t yet set up your One Portal account, please do so now before you have to file any official forms.\u00a0 A One Portal Set-Up Guide is available at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/One-Portal-MFA-Set-Up-Guide.pdf\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_pdf\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/One-Portal-MFA-Set-Up-Guide.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHuCR3-0cigBTEIa0HLRLaXSpEmig\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/One-Portal-MFA-Set-Up-Guide.pdf<\/a>.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t have a BEAR PIN, you\u2019ll also want to follow the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Form-472-BEAR-PIN-Request-Guide.pdf\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_pdf\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Form-472-BEAR-PIN-Request-Guide.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGAE5-lVOt_FCpGpyYpyGhQ6euXJg\">BEAR PIN Request Guide<\/a>\u00a0to make the request.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11) \u00a0Why Were PA Applicants Denied E-rate Funding in FY 2020?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; I think it\u2019s important to do a \u201cpost mortem\u201d after each funding year to learn from our mistakes.\u00a0 In all, FY 2020 was a pretty successful year in terms of funding approvals but there\u2019s always room for improvement.\u00a0 Here are the stats related to our funding denials:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Only 10 FRNs denied = .3%<\/li>\n<li>3 libraries, 3 districts, 3 nonpublic schools<\/li>\n<li>1\/2 used consultants<\/li>\n<li>4 Category 1 Denials:\u00a0 3 redundant internet, 1 price of eligible services not most heavily weighted factor<\/li>\n<li>6 Category 2 Denials:\u00a0 2 requested ineligible firewall features, 1 470 for MIBS didn\u2019t provide enough details, 1 requested ineligible product, 1 exceeded C2 budget (and didn\u2019t reduce it to come into compliance), 1 contract signed before 28-day waiting period expired<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8212; I also know that a few applicants forgot to submit a Form 471 and those fell into 2 categories \u2013 turnover in E-rate staff and applicant mistakenly thought that a multi-year contract meant a multi-year funding commitment.<\/p>\n<p><strong>12) \u00a0Upcoming E-rate Training<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&#8212; I will be conducting several E-rate training webinars in the coming weeks (listed below) and registration will be announced shortly.\u00a0 (If you missed one of the previous beginners or veteran training workshops, visit\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?page_id=745\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?page_id%3D745&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNH9jVs71yq-1UZvAtgfTrqkCYS1YQ\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?page_id=745<\/a>\u00a0for copies of the presentations.)<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Category 1 Eligibility &amp; Form 470 Bidding<\/li>\n<li>Category 2 Eligibility &amp; Bidding Public Schools (will include PEPPM mini-bid option)<\/li>\n<li>Category 2 Eligibility &amp; Bidding Non-Pubs\/Libraries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&#8212; USAC\u2019s fall training workshops are being held this week, beginning tomorrow.\u00a0 Details and registration information is at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/apps.usac.org\/sl\/tools\/news-briefs\/preview.aspx?id=979\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/apps.usac.org\/sl\/tools\/news-briefs\/preview.aspx?id%3D979&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHpiePO3tvgGh_XdMrnArU23Ew1cw\">https:\/\/apps.usac.org\/sl\/tools\/news-briefs\/preview.aspx?id=979<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>13) \u00a0Funding Year 2021 Suggested Timeline:<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Step:<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\"><strong>Timeline:<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Post Form 470<\/strong>\u00a0in EPC to competitively bid all new\/expiring contracts (unless using the PEPPM mini-bid option for C2)<\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">Now \u2013 early December (by Thanksgiving, if possible!)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Update enrollment\/NSLP data<\/strong>\u00a0in school EPC profiles<\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">Now \u2013 early January.\u00a0 But consider waiting for the unofficial PDE data to be available in mid-December<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Conduct bid evaluation<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">Early January<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Obtain school board approval<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">January or February board meeting (no later)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Sign vendor contracts<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">By End of February<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Create Contract Records<\/strong>\u00a0in EPC\/upload signed contracts<\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">Late February\/Early March<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><strong>Submit Form 471<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\">February\/early March<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><em>Earliest applicants can\u00a0<strong>purchase<\/strong>\u00a0C2 equipment<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\"><em>April 1, 2021<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><em>Funding Commitment Letters (FCDLs) issued<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\"><em>End of April \u2013 Sept 1 (goal)<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><em>File Form 486<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\"><em>Upon receipt of FCDLs<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><em>Earliest that FY 2021 BEARs or SPIs can be submitted to USAC<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\"><em>July 1, 2021<\/em><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"425\"><em>\u00a0<\/em><\/td>\n<td width=\"354\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-32771\" src=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/e-ratecycle.png\" alt=\"e-ratecycle\" width=\"683\" height=\"490\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Julie Tritt Schell<\/p>\n<p>Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator<br \/>\n717-730-7133 &#8211; o<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:jtschell@comcast.net\">jtschell@comcast.net<\/a><br \/>\n<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=1605143111170000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEgX4sHg-XuoSBlGZ0V_OIxxjI4MQ\">www.e-ratepa.org<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/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 3, 2020<\/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-32767","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\/32767","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=32767"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32767\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=32767"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=32767"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=32767"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}