{"id":34995,"date":"2023-09-11T01:23:45","date_gmt":"2023-09-11T01:23:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e-ratepaorg.local\/?p=34995"},"modified":"2023-09-24T23:57:06","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T23:57:06","slug":"back-to-school-e-rate-update-sept-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=34995","title":{"rendered":"Back-to-School E-rate Update &#8211; Sept 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"color: #222222;\">September 11, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Attached:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/FY-2022-BEAR-Statuses-as-of-Sept-11-2023.xlsx\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_xlsx\" target=\"_blank\">FY 2022 BEAR Statuses as of Sept 11 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Attached:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Missing-FY-2023-486s-as-of-Sept-11-2023.xlsx\" class=\"mtli_attachment mtli_xlsx\" target=\"_blank\">Missing FY 2023 486s as of Sept 11, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Happy September, E-raters!\u00a0 I hope everyone had a great summer and your back-to-school transition went smoothly.\u00a0 This time of year is filled with E-rate activity, as you\u2019re wrapping up FY 2022, implementing FY 2023, and preparing to bid\/apply for FY 2024.\u00a0 Please take a few minutes to review these updates to ensure that your filings are on-track.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Coming Soon!\u00a0 Fall E-rate Training:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>In the coming days I\u2019ll be announcing dates for the fall E-rate training for beginners and veterans.<strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Stay tuned!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>FCC Commissioner Confirmed:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>On Thursday, September 7, Anna Gomez was confirmed as the 5th\u00a0FCC Commissioner, giving the Commission a full slate for the first time in almost three years.\u00a0 With this confirmation, there are several E-rate-related initiatives that may be considered in the next few months, including E-rate eligibility of school bus Wi-Fi and off-campus hotspot lending, and a 3-year pilot program for cybersecurity (administered by USAC but outside of E-rate).\u00a0 I\u2019ll keep you posted if these receive traction at the FCC.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reminder to File FY 2022 BEARs:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The deadline to file FY 2022 BEARs for recurring services is October 30, 2023 (the normal October 28 deadline falls on a Saturday).\u00a0 For a status list of FY 2022 FRNs showing what\u2019s required (if anything) as of September 11, 2023, see attached.\u00a0 Also, USAC has delayed the migration of the Form 472 BEAR into the EPC platform (instead of it\u2019s own separate module) until after the October 30, 2023 invoicing deadline.\u00a0 I\u2019ll let you know when the official launch date will be, but I expect it to be in November. \u00a0A For 472 BEAR 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-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638300445059646740%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=v5jn8%2FJujsxUrCMtJgl%2BFF3iw088H1%2BJsD23C%2FDu01U%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" 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-FY-2022.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C638300445059646740%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3Dv5jn8%252FJujsxUrCMtJgl%252BFF3iw088H1%252BJsD23C%252FDu01U%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694550464260000&amp;usg=AOvVaw32RJisg3ZK_m8O_oIycT-e\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-FY-2022.pdf<\/a>.\u00a0 For recurring services, don\u2019t forget to list 7\/1\/<strong>2022<\/strong>\u00a0as the service start date (not 2023) in Item 10 and leave Item 11 blank.\u00a0 Also, be sure to use your FY\u00a0<strong>2022<\/strong>\u00a0Form 471 and FRN numbers as shown in the attached spreadsheet,\u00a0not\u00a0FY 2023.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reminder to File FY 2023 Form 486s:<\/strong>\u00a0 If you have received your FY 2023 FCDL and have not yet filed the Form 486, don\u2019t forget this important step.\u00a0 Although the deadline to submit is October 30 for most FRNs, you won\u2019t be able to submit a BEAR or receive discounted bills until the 486 is submitted.\u00a0 Attached is a list of all approved FY 2023 FRNs that do not yet have their Form 486 filed.\u00a0\u00a0Full instructions on the Form 486 can be found at:\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-2023.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638300445059646740%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=DKKBv6FOIwR3baXAwH6NGGxKz0Fah7q%2FDM%2BMBxRb1k0%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" 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-2023.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C638300445059646740%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DDKKBv6FOIwR3baXAwH6NGGxKz0Fah7q%252FDM%252BMBxRb1k0%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694550464260000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3nbqx7oIRS67PS2sgYsEAj\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Form-486-Filing-Guide-FY-2023.pdf<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Need an Extension for FY 2022 or FY 2021 Equipment Installation?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>September 30, 2023 is the deadline to receive\u00a0and install\u00a0your FY 2022 and FY 2021 equipment.\u00a0 If you cannot have the equipment installed by this date, you should submit a Form 500 in EPC now to receive a 1-year extension (through Sept 30, 2024).\u00a0 Important:\u00a0 All requests must be made before the September 30, 2023 deadline.\u00a0 For FY 2021 equipment not yet installed:\u00a0 the FCC granted a 1-year extension for all FY 2021 internal connections requests (from September 2022 \u2013 September 2023) due to supply chain delays.\u00a0 If you need an additional year to install FY 2021 equipment, submit a Form 500 in EPC by September 30, 2023 to seek an additional 1-year extension.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Reminders for Purchasing FY 2023 Category 2 Equipment:\u00a0<\/strong>When purchasing Category 2 equipment\/services using FY 2023 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, 2023, even if you purchased the equipment between April 1 \u2013 June 30, 2023.\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<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F03%2FEquipment-Purchasing-Guide-FY-2023.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638300445059646740%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=edGYpF8Iy5A%2BtOXBufcpj592veiy3EdTXxoThMhxXEs%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" 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-2023.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C638300445059646740%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DedGYpF8Iy5A%252BtOXBufcpj592veiy3EdTXxoThMhxXEs%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694550464260000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0n_u64-gQh2m06e0bNPppB\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Equipment-Purchasing-Guide-FY-2023.pdf<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Documents Required for E-rate Audit:<\/strong>\u00a0 If you\u2019ve ever wondered what documents an E-rate auditor requests when you\u2019re selected for an audit, you can now see a list at:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F03%2FBeneficiary-Initial-Request-List.xlsx&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638300445059646740%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=UKfgs1gw3QKn%2B62%2B3bODgwegtuJ7ottxypAMNZVgz8c%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" 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%252FBeneficiary-Initial-Request-List.xlsx%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C638300445059646740%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DUKfgs1gw3QKn%252B62%252B3bODgwegtuJ7ottxypAMNZVgz8c%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694550464260000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2WjcIMfehsC5IhhKc9AfAw\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Beneficiary-Initial-Request-List.xlsx<\/a>.\u00a0 This list is currently what\u2019s being collected\/reviewed and is subject to change.\u00a0 Often these documents are stored in different departments within a school or library, so it\u2019s important that everyone who has responsibility for these items understand that they must be retained (physically or electronically) for 10 years from the last date to receive service (essentially 11 years).\u00a0 For example, if you have a 5-year contract, you are required to keep all of the bidding documents for 16 years, including winning and losing bids, vendor correspondence, bid evaluation worksheet, etc.<\/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 E-rate forms as soon as they\u2019re due.\u00a0 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 For a complete guide on how to add\/remove EPC users, or change AAs, see:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2014%2F03%2FEPC-Admin-How-To-Guide-2023.pdf&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638300445059646740%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=r5iEpRh9jgY4B5jnZui2RRSJGy8Hjl7rFKw3xS8zphU%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" 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%252FEPC-Admin-How-To-Guide-2023.pdf%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C638300445059646740%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3Dr5iEpRh9jgY4B5jnZui2RRSJGy8Hjl7rFKw3xS8zphU%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694550464260000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2mRFU9KmG8i4mwx9VlP7BJ\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/EPC-Admin-How-To-Guide-2023.pdf<\/a>.\u00a0Also, 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<ul>\n<li><strong>Important PEPPM Reminder:<\/strong>\u00a0 If you will be using the PA PEPPM Contract as the bidding vehicle for your FY 2024 procurements, ALWAYS download and use the most recent version of the PEPPM Category\/Awarded Vendor List when sending PEPPM mini-bids.\u00a0 The Category\/Awarded Vendor List is Attachment C on the PEPPM page:\u00a0\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fe-ratepa.org%2F%3Fpage_id%3D6121&amp;data=05%7C01%7Cpl-erate%40lists.psu.edu%7C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%7C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%7C0%7C0%7C638300445059646740%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=qmmxBeXAgqNV7Vww%2BVTHGJA0pA00V1leP7nf41tB7CY%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fe-ratepa.org%252F%253Fpage_id%253D6121%26data%3D05%257C01%257Cpl-erate%2540lists.psu.edu%257C4e767fc97b44499248e908dbb2df0784%257C7cf48d453ddb4389a9c1c115526eb52e%257C0%257C0%257C638300445059646740%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%253D%257C3000%257C%257C%257C%26sdata%3DqmmxBeXAgqNV7Vww%252BVTHGJA0pA00V1leP7nf41tB7CY%253D%26reserved%3D0&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694550464260000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GkazcKfgd7x1ZQOufGR-Z\">https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?page_id=6121<\/a>\u00a0and is a live document.\u00a0 Additional product lines are added and contact information changes for vendors, so it\u2019s important that you always use the most recent version.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you have any questions, please don\u2019t hesitate to contact 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>September 11, 2023<\/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-34995","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\/34995","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=34995"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34995\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=34995"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=34995"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=34995"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}