{"id":34149,"date":"2022-03-18T01:50:35","date_gmt":"2022-03-18T01:50:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=34149"},"modified":"2022-03-21T11:48:35","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T11:48:35","slug":"fw-deadline-extended-to-submit-comments-to-fcc-re-nationwide-bidding-portal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=34149","title":{"rendered":"Deadline Extended to Submit Comments to FCC re: Nationwide Bidding Portal"},"content":{"rendered":"

March 18, 2022<\/span><\/p>\n

Attached:\u00a0Bidding Portal NPRM Summary Jan 2022 fcc questions (1)<\/a><\/p>\n

In January, I alerted you that the FCC has proposed mandating a nationwide E-rate bidding portal beginning July 2023 where all vendor bids and vendor questions would be required to be submitted (in lieu of bids going to schools\/libraries), along with other major changes (see below).\u00a0 I\u2019m pleased and relieved to report that the FCC has extended the deadline to submit feedback on their proposals to\u00a0Wednesday,\u00a0April 27, 2022<\/strong>.\u00a0 Reply comments will be due no later than May 27, 2022.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s close out the E-rate window next week, take a brief breather, and then I\u2019ll be in touch with more information on the FCC\u2019s proposals and how you can weigh in.\u00a0 Your comments carry a lot of weight, so I hope you\u2019ll plan to submit something, however brief it may be.<\/p>\n

Warmest regards (literally on this 75-degree Friday!),<\/p>\n

— Julie<\/p>\n

\"erate_sun\"<\/p>\n

\n

From:<\/strong>\u00a0PA E-RATE List <PL-ERATE@LISTS.PSU.EDU>\u00a0On Behalf Of\u00a0<\/strong>Julie Tritt Schell<\/p>\n

Sent:<\/strong>\u00a0Thursday, January 27, 2022 4:56 PM
\nTo:<\/strong>\u00a0PL-ERATE@LISTS.PSU.EDU
\nSubject:<\/strong>\u00a0FCC Proposes to Mandate Nationwide Bidding Portal<\/p>\n

FCC Proposes to Mandate Nationwide Bidding Portal<\/strong><\/p>\n

I\u2019m writing to make you aware that the FCC recently released a\u00a0Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)<\/a>\u00a0that proposes to create an E-rate bidding portal where all vendor bids would be required to be submitted (in lieu of bids going to schools\/libraries), along with other major changes.\u00a0 A high-level overview of the three major proposals is below, and a more detailed summary is attached that includes all of the questions included in the NPRM.\u00a0\u00a0If adopted, the FCC\u2019s goal is to have the bid portal operational beginning July 1, 2023 for use with Funding Year 2024 E-rate procurements.\u00a0 As of now, these are proposals being considered – not actual rule changes – but an NPRM is the first step in making such changes.\u00a0 The FCC is seeking public comment, including whether these measures will impose a hardship on E-rate program participants and whether they conflict with any state and\/or local bidding requirements.\u00a0 I will be providing additional information in the coming days on how to submit comments to the FCC and key items you\u2019ll want to consider\/address.<\/p>\n

NPRM Proposed Changes:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Mandated Bidding Portal:<\/strong>\u00a0 Service providers will be required to submit bids to a central bidding portal managed by USAC and would be prohibited from submitting bids directly to schools\/libraries or other parties.\u00a0 Bids would be withheld from schools\/libraries until the Form 470 Allowable Contract Date (29 days after the Form 470 is posted) and then released to the applicant for bid evaluation.<\/p>\n

2. Mandated Public Communication Channel with Vendors:<\/strong>\u00a0 Service providers will post their questions anonymously to applicants through the bidding portal, to which applicants must respond during the competitive bidding process. No communication between service providers and applicants related to competitive bidding process will be permitted outside of the bidding portal during the bidding process.\u00a0 All communication will be publicly posted for applicants and all interested bidders to see.<\/p>\n

3. Required Documentation Submission to USAC:<\/strong>\u00a0 Applicants will be required to upload the following into the bidding portal before submitting the Form 471:<\/p>\n