{"id":34434,"date":"2022-08-17T03:01:31","date_gmt":"2022-08-17T03:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=34434"},"modified":"2022-08-19T03:03:38","modified_gmt":"2022-08-19T03:03:38","slug":"aug-2022-e-rate-back-to-school-update","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=34434","title":{"rendered":"Aug 2022: E-rate Back-to-School Update!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\">August 17, 2022<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Happy back to school, E-raters!\u00a0 After two years of modified everything, I believe E-rate\u2019s normal schedule and rules will be returning for Funding Year 2023 (July 1, 2023 \u2013 June 30, 2024).\u00a0 Below are E-rate updates and reminders to get us all back in the groove.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Important<\/strong><strong>\u00a0\u2013 Timing of FY 2023 PEPPM Mini-Bids<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 If you intend to use the PEPPM Mini-bid system as the procurement vehicle for your FY 2023 Category 2 equipment purchases<strong>, NOTE THAT YOU CANNOT RELEASE A PEPPM MINI-BID TO VENDORS UNTIL AT LEAST JANUARY 2, 2023<\/strong>.\u00a0 The reason is\u00a0that the current PEPPM contract expires at the end of 2022 and the next contract will not become available for use until January 2, 2023.\u00a0 Thus, no mini-bids can be issued to (what will be) the newly awarded vendors until at least that date.\u00a0 The Form 471 filing deadline is expected to be mid-March, which means that, assuming your PEPPM procurement is conducted in early January, your C2 contracts will have to go to your school boards in late January or February.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Wi-Fi on Buses &#8212;\u00a0<\/strong>In May 2022, FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Fdocument%2Fchair-rosenworcel-proposes-using-e-rate-fund-school-bus-wi-fi&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637963552442598265%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=AtDVt4YzLRnxkDFsSpeY9O8adsFNZcuWQECdiALWZbI%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.fcc.gov%252Fdocument%252Fchair-rosenworcel-proposes-using-e-rate-fund-school-bus-wi-fi%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637963552442598265%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DAtDVt4YzLRnxkDFsSpeY9O8adsFNZcuWQECdiALWZbI%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1660964120607000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2r11Y0O_I_3z0A8GUiLudq\">proposed<\/a>\u00a0adding Wi-Fi on buses to the E-rate Eligible Services List (ESL) beginning in Funding Year 2023.\u00a0 However, the eligibility has not yet been approved by the other commissioners and thus, we\u2019re unsure if this service\/equipment will be eligible for FY 2023. \u00a0The State E-rate Coordinators\u2019 Alliance (SECA)\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ffiles.fcc.gov%2Fecfs%2Fdownload%2F01c183d8-d409-4ff5-ba2e-5a2818537351%3Forig%3Dtrue%26pk%3Dcb77b2ec-1a58-dbc6-139b-ad192cfd5d9b&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637963552442598265%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=AuY%2B5ufyhe8jLderBIpZpda0yYAzV77BtOuGdfRyBxQ%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Ffiles.fcc.gov%252Fecfs%252Fdownload%252F01c183d8-d409-4ff5-ba2e-5a2818537351%253Forig%253Dtrue%2526pk%253Dcb77b2ec-1a58-dbc6-139b-ad192cfd5d9b%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637963552442598265%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DAuY%252B5ufyhe8jLderBIpZpda0yYAzV77BtOuGdfRyBxQ%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1660964120607000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2zz4ZSyMip4od4AbFS8-5v\">submitted a letter<\/a>\u00a0to the FCC posing several questions about the proposal, and urging the delay of eligibility until FY 2024 to give the Commission time to ensure that all issues have been addressed and applicants have ample time to be able to plan accordingly. \u00a0I will provide an update on this issue as soon as any more information is available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Status of FY 2022 E-rate Funding<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 As of today, 95% of PA funding requests have been funded, committing more than $58 million in E-rate funding.\u00a0 Only 54 Form 471s are still in PIA review.\u00a0 If your application has not yet been funded and you submitted the requested documentation more than two weeks ago, please e-mail me your Form 471 number along with the details of the last communication with PIA.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Fall E-rate Training in PA<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 After a two-year hiatus, I will again be conducting in-person beginners\u2019 training this fall in three locations.\u00a0 I will also be conducting online, issue-specific training in addition to the popular veterans\u2019 training.\u00a0 Both beginners\u2019 and veterans\u2019 trainings and registration will be announced in the coming weeks.\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 2023 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 (or CEP data) and library square footage changes.\u00a0\u00a0Due to the pandemic, schools were permitted to use their approved data from FY 2019, but that will no longer an option for FY 2023.\u00a0 I expect the admin window will open sometime in October and close the first week in January.\u00a0 As was practice pre-COVID, in mid-December I will send to the listserve the PDE draft NSLP\/CEP\/enrollment data for you to update your school profiles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>File your FY 2021 BEARs<\/strong>\u00a0<strong>Now<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 The deadline to file Form 472 BEARs for FY 2021 recurring services is October 28, 2022 (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%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F03%2FForm-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-2021-updated-Aug-2022.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637963552442598265%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=TKg33hGvbFtY8vwbMYKJKtdRdUP2RoMP5DhI6XNVsrU%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%252F2014%252F03%252FForm-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-2021-updated-Aug-2022.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637963552442598265%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DTKg33hGvbFtY8vwbMYKJKtdRdUP2RoMP5DhI6XNVsrU%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1660964120607000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Kj_QO2fY3-dtu5rEbvPq_\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-2021-updated-Aug-2022.pdf<\/a>\u00a0for a BEAR Filing Guide.\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 2021.\u00a0 FY 2021 BEARs for non-recurring services (internal connections) are due January 28, 2023.\u00a0 If you log into EPC and don\u2019t see the E-rate BEAR option, see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F03%2FForm-472-BEAR-Access-Request-Guide-1.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637963552442754524%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=g%2FBKd9VmgGTLf4XUsl%2F3GbXjJfxkbQVICUIIjao2Zq4%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%252F2014%252F03%252FForm-472-BEAR-Access-Request-Guide-1.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637963552442754524%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3Dg%252FBKd9VmgGTLf4XUsl%252F3GbXjJfxkbQVICUIIjao2Zq4%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1660964120607000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0dcqal5cesu8mCP4DTNGix\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Form-472-BEAR-Access-Request-Guide-1.pdf<\/a>\u00a0to request BEAR Access from USAC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Remember to File Your FY 2022 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 2022 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%2F2014%2F03%2FForm-486-Filing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637963552442754524%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=YbcT6Fzsz%2B5fzeHZfbl2gndWn%2FaE9kcJECHyksQpkyo%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%252F2014%252F03%252FForm-486-Filing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637963552442754524%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DYbcT6Fzsz%252B5fzeHZfbl2gndWn%252FaE9kcJECHyksQpkyo%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1660964120607000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1--j0mmEx8i3F99HTMlpNc\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Form-486-Filing-Guide-FY-2022.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 2022 Category 2 Equipment &#8211;\u00a0<\/strong>When purchasing Category 2 equipment\/services using FY 2022 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, 2022, even if you purchased the equipment between April 1 \u2013 June 30, 2022.\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%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F03%2FEquipment-Purchasing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C637963552442754524%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=7U%2F3YV40vytaxDHHlhvC4CT4v5rMawSqBIHPsg%2FTpGQ%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%252F2014%252F03%252FEquipment-Purchasing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C425c67195b8243b7a86c08da80786eca%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C637963552442754524%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3D7U%252F3YV40vytaxDHHlhvC4CT4v5rMawSqBIHPsg%252FTpGQ%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1660964120607000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2o0FzI4676o0IIBz7HTziB\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Equipment-Purchasing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Changing EPC Account Administrators\/Adding New EPC Users:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Summer often brings staffing changes and it\u2019s important that the new staff get set up in EPC so they are prepared to file for FY 2022 this fall.<strong>\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Hints:\u00a0 Only AA\u2019s can create new EPC user accounts and assign User \u2018permissions.\u2019\u00a0 Only AAs can transfer their AA \u2018credentials\u2019 to another existing EPC User.\u00a0 If the AA is the new staff member and the previous AA is no longer with the school or library, contact CSC at 888-203-8100 and they will set up a new EPC AA account (only CSC can do this).\u00a0 Also, if you need any new E-rate contacts added to the PA E-rate Listserve, please e-mail me their contact information.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Enjoy the remaining days of your summer and we\u2019ll ramp up for Funding Year 2023 in September!\u00a0 If you have any questions, please e-mail me at\u00a0jtschell@comcast.net.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; Julie<\/p>\n<p>Julie Tritt Schell<br \/>\nPennsylvania E-rate Coordinator<br \/>\n717-730-7133 &#8211; o<br \/>\njtschell@comcast.net<br \/>\nwww.e-ratepa.org<\/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>August 17, 2022<\/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-34434","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\/34434","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=34434"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34434\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}