{"id":33605,"date":"2021-09-15T15:45:20","date_gmt":"2021-09-15T15:45:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=33605"},"modified":"2021-09-16T15:46:12","modified_gmt":"2021-09-16T15:46:12","slug":"e-rate-and-ecf-update-september-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33605","title":{"rendered":"E-rate and ECF Update &#8211; September 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\">September 15, 2021<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Happy Wednesday, everyone! \u00a0I know you\u2019ve all been busy with back-to-school activities, but it\u2019s time to start focusing on E-rate and ECF once again!\u00a0 Below are important updates\/to-do items for both programs.\u00a0 As always, please let me know if you have any questions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF)<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Window 1 Funding Update &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>I expect that the first wave of funding commitment letters will be released VERY soon.\u00a0 Funding decision letters are sent via e-mail and will show the approved funding amounts and an explanation if funding was reduced.\u00a0 Funding waves will be released on a weekly basis and I hope to be able to send funding wave notices to the listserve like I do for E-rate.\u00a0 We don\u2019t know yet if the ECF BEAR system will be ready to accept reimbursement forms when the funding letters begin to be issued, but if not, we know that it will be ready within two weeks of Wave 1.\u00a0 Also, don\u2019t forget to document the unmet needs of the specific people receiving the equipment\/services (see:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2F%3Fp%3D33555&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637673179828209736%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=YpmEmYw3iyT9EZWd9kYnUVsYkvPSIdjJI8ckw98rnJQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fe-ratepa.org%252F%253Fp%253D33555%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637673179828209736%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3DYpmEmYw3iyT9EZWd9kYnUVsYkvPSIdjJI8ckw98rnJQ%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631893301197000&amp;usg=AFQjCNHp8rD7CO3KOLX0FFhla-dAmSe9yg\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33555<\/a>\u00a0for more information).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Window 2 ECF Application Window<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If you didn\u2019t apply in ECF Window 1, or if you did apply and now realize you need additional devices\/services for students\/teachers\/library patrons with unmet needs, I hope you will plan to apply in ECF Window 2.\u00a0 The window will only be open from September 28 \u2013 October 13, 2021 (very short), so if you plan to apply, you should be determining quantities needed, and obtaining vendor quotes now.\u00a0 If you plan to apply for network buildout funds to bring internet to homes where commercially available wired and wireless internet is not currently available, and if you haven\u2019t yet surveyed your local vendors, please begin that process as soon as possible (see:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2F%3Fp%3D33382&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637673179828219694%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=b4LNXAES3kK9un5Wq0wPl%2F72THFT%2BIXoXk8y%2FIJFO9I%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fe-ratepa.org%252F%253Fp%253D33382%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637673179828219694%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3Db4LNXAES3kK9un5Wq0wPl%252F72THFT%252BIXoXk8y%252FIJFO9I%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631893301197000&amp;usg=AFQjCNGqxycPA1lONBTI5QNrb6cg1PaIxg\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33382<\/a>\u00a0for more information).\u00a0 Note: \u00a0Please apply in Window 2 if you have any needs and not worry about whether there will be enough funds available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>E-rate<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fall Training<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 E-rate training will be conducted online again this fall.\u00a0 I will announce both beginners and veterans training in the coming weeks, which will both be conducted after the ECF Window 2 has closed.\u00a0 In the meantime, if you are new to E-rate, please be sure that you have established your own E-rate EPC Portal account which can only be done by your EPC Account Administrator or by calling USAC at 888-203-8100.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>FY 2022 E-rate \u201cAdmin Window\u201d<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Each fall USAC opens an \u201cadmin window\u201d where applicants must update their EPC profiles to reflect current enrollment, NSLP data and library square footage changes.\u00a0\u00a0 Due to COVID, last year schools were permitted to use FY 2019 data and we\u2019re awaiting guidance from the FCC about whether FY 2019 data can continue to be used.\u00a0 I expect the admin window will open sometime in October and by then we should know which data you are permitted\/required to use.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>New Form 470 for FY 2022, But Wait to File if Possible<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0USAC has released the FY 2022 Form 470, but the service description options and formats are entirely new.\u00a0 We are seeking guidance from the FCC whether applicants can still be specific in the Category 1 technology they\u2019re seeking (can we say \u201cleased lit fiber\u201d?) and until we receive this guidance, I ask that you not post any new Form 470s if you can possibly wait a few more weeks.\u00a0 (For those new to E-rate, the Form 470 is the form that must be used to competitively bid all new services and equipment for which you would like to apply for discounts in FY 2021).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Request Extension if Needed for FY 2019 or FY 2020 Internal Connections FRNs<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Earlier today I sent a reminder that if you were approved for internal connections for FY 2019 or FY 2020 and you have not yet purchased and\/or installed that equipment, the deadline to do so is September 30, 2021.\u00a0 If you need more time, please file a Form 500 in EPC to request a Service Delivery Deadline Extension BEFORE September 30, 2021.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>File your FY 2020 BEARs<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Now<\/strong>! \u2013 The deadline to file Form 472 BEARs for recurring services is October 28, 2021 (120 days after the last date to receive service).\u00a0 \u00a0See:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2F%3Fp%3D33435&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637673179828219694%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=8gdmZFDev7JfnwiCyEUOGbl6TvOEFsQwAAD65noetN0%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fe-ratepa.org%252F%253Fp%253D33435%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637673179828219694%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3D8gdmZFDev7JfnwiCyEUOGbl6TvOEFsQwAAD65noetN0%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631893301197000&amp;usg=AFQjCNFFUSDdgXRo9eVy9AIabMGWf8JwnA\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33435<\/a>\u00a0for more information about file the BEAR.\u00a0 I will send a message in a few weeks with updated information about which schools and libraries still have not filed for reimbursement for FY 2020.\u00a0 FY 2020 BEARs for non-recurring services (internal connections) are due January 20, 2022.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Remember to File Your FY 2021 Form 486\u00a0<\/strong>&#8212;<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>The next step after receiving a FCDL (funding commitment decision letter) is to file the Form 486. \u00a0If you haven\u2019t yet filed your FY 2021 Form 486, please be sure to do so by October 28.\u00a0 Two reminders:\u00a0 Because it is now after July 31, you should NOT check the \u2018Early Filing Box\u2019, and be careful not to be \u201cclick happy\u201d on the CIPA certifications.\u00a0 \u00a0A helpful Form 486 Filing guide is available at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2FForm-486-Filing-Guide-2021.pdf&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637673179828229654%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=QqvwWa68YpROWix9er37baF3NUYAc22lKzw3zsDBObI%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fe-ratepa.org%252Fwp-content%252Fuploads%252F2021%252F04%252FForm-486-Filing-Guide-2021.pdf%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637673179828229654%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3DQqvwWa68YpROWix9er37baF3NUYAc22lKzw3zsDBObI%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631893301197000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEB7zSv0fwAMpCm5ExP8RY1sDcHHw\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Form-486-Filing-Guide-2021.pdf<\/a>. \u00a0I will send a list soon of FRNs that don\u2019t yet have 486s filed for them, so file now and stay off the list!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reminders for Purchasing FY 2021 Category 2 Equipment\u00a0<\/strong><strong>&#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>When purchasing Category 2 equipment\/services using FY 2021 E-rate funding commitments, please remember these important items:\u00a0 1) The Service Start Date on the Form 486 and\/or the BEAR Form Item 11, Shipping Date to Customer, should always be on or after July 1, 2021, even if you purchased the equipment between April 1 \u2013 June 30, 2021.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 The rules permit applicants to purchase equipment 3 months before the funding year begins, but the forms cannot have dates that are earlier than the first day of the funding year.\u00a0 2)\u00a0 Always label your equipment and then log it in your Asset Register (equipment inventory).\u00a0 A helpful guide for purchasing C2 equipment, including a sample Asset Register and PO data points, can be found at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2F%3Fp%3D33168&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637673179828229654%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=6Lz2qZazIrxBkOcTkHYz99QighV%2BEMW5K5D0skUrypg%3D&amp;reserved=0\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fe-ratepa.org%252F%253Fp%253D33168%26data%3D04%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637673179828229654%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%26sdata%3D6Lz2qZazIrxBkOcTkHYz99QighV%252BEMW5K5D0skUrypg%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1631893301197000&amp;usg=AFQjCNEoRly5QgAUQzE6s_vjSu5oosz2MA\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=33168<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Please let me know if I can help you!<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; Julie<\/p>\n<p>Julie Tritt Schell<br \/>\nPennsylvania 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=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%3Dhttp-3A__www.e-2Dratepa.org_%26d%3DDwMFAg%26c%3DOiLvY2co1M-RscITtV9DJw%26r%3DS721QuK6ZpNiI61-26Eu9tfg5GvToARdCShpKHZ8oPM%26m%3DISsjVTkuPy4_JptpyLVbUK25xJ3_t8ZQWc2PVENWjWI%26s%3D9E1UJWoWopXxMjL1mCIc7ycH77NHsBOPCTwYpJeGiOw%26e%3D&amp;data=04%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7Cd895c70a0c904497ce7a08d97860cc03%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637673179828239600%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&amp;sdata=UHQdR3JgC3HTmzFMm9%2FZOSsplQfoKWmj9k2CfiG2p1I%3D&amp;reserved=0\" 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class=\"twitter-share-button\" data-size=\"large\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>September 15, 2021<\/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-33605","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\/33605","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=33605"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33605\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=33605"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=33605"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=33605"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}