Good morning, E-raters!\u00a0 Here\u2019s a February E-rate update, reminders of what you should be doing now, and a few other timely topics.<\/p>\n
Time Running Out to Post 470s \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>If you haven\u2019t done so already, it\u2019s time to post any last-minute Category 2 Form 470s or PEPPM mini-bids for new equipment, or Category 1 Form 470\u2019s for services needing a new contract or month-to-month services (MTM must be filed annually).\u00a0 The only reasons you would not have to file a Form 470 this year are if you are:\u00a0 1) Using the CABIO bidding exemption for internet, 2)\u00a0 Using the PEPPM mini-bid for equipment, or 3) In a multi-year contract that expires on or after 6\/30\/2025.\u00a0 The very last day that you can post a 470 is February 28, but don\u2019t wait until the final day because this only leaves the final day of the Form 471 window \u2013 March 27 — to evaluate your bids, obtain local board approvals, sign contracts, create the contract record, and complete the 471.\u00a0\u00a0Please don\u2019t wait another minute to file your Form 470!<\/p>\n Resources for School Bus Wi-Fi Bidding and Form 471 Filing<\/strong>:\u00a0 If you will be seeking E-rate funding for school bus Wi-Fi equipment or services for FY 2024, see\u00a0https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=35259<\/a>\u00a0for an RFP template, Form 470 screenshots and a bid evaluation template.\u00a0 In addition, Form 471 helpful instructions for school bus Wi-Fi FRNs are available beginning on page 130 of the\u00a0Form 471 Filing Guide<\/a>.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget, bidding is required, and all related FRNs must be filed on a separate Category 1 Form 471.<\/p>\n Manufacturer Eligibility Percentages (particularly firewall eligibility)<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Several manufacturers provide documents or search engines that provide E-rate eligibility percentages for their products and I\u2019ve provided links to those resources below.\u00a0 These are especially helpful when applying for firewall equipment.\u00a0 Currently only basic firewall appliances are eligible for FY 2024 (none of the advanced features like anti-spam, anti-virus, etc.) and some manufacturers bundle advanced features with their firewalls instead of pricing them separately. \u00a0In these cases, the vendor should provide you with a % E-rate eligibility for the specific bundle you\u2019re seeking.<\/p>\n Deadline Approaching to File FY 2022 BEARs if You Received an Extension:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>There are several entities that have FY 2022 funding requests with quickly approaching BEAR deadlines (many as early as Feb. 27!).\u00a0 Are you on the attached list?\u00a0 If so, determine if you purchased the equipment or services by the required FY 2022 deadlines, and paid your vendor in full.\u00a0 If so, then file the BEAR to seek reimbursement by the deadline shown in Column I.\u00a0 If you received the equipment or services but only paid the vendor for the non-discounted portion, please remind your vendor that they should submit their SPI to seek reimbursement by the deadline.\u00a0 If it\u2019s a Category 2 FRN and you didn\u2019t utilize the full funding commitment, be sure to file a Form 500 to reduce your commitment which will automatically reinstate those funds into your Category 2 budget!<\/p>\n New BEAR System:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0On November 6, USAC moved the Form 472 BEAR from the legacy system into the EPC system, with a much-improved BEAR!\u00a0 A Guide to the new Form 472 BEAR Invoicing System is available at: \u00a0https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/03\/Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-New-BEAR.pdf<\/a>. \u00a0To access the EPC Invoicing System, log into EPC and select \u201cEPC E-rate Invoicing\u201d from the shortcuts menu in the top right corner of your Landing Page.\u00a0 If you don\u2019t see this link, it means that your EPC Account Administrator must change your User Permissions in their EPC portal (see Slide 11 for instructions on changing User Permissions). \u00a0Hint:\u00a0 the new BEAR allows (not requires) you to upload a copy of the relevant vendor invoice and I encourage you to do so for Category 2 funding requests.<\/em><\/p>\n Status of FCC\u2019s Cybersecurity Pilot:\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The FCC is currently reviewing the initial public comments submitted in response to the\u00a0Cybersecurity Pilot NPRM<\/a>.\u00a0 Reply comments are due by February 27, 2024 and within the next 3 months we expect the Commission will issue an Order with the final program rules and the dates for the 60-day Pilot Application Window.\u00a0 Applications from interested schools and libraries will be submitted on the new\u00a0Form 484.\u00a0 Within 90 days following the Form 484 deadline, the FCC will review all applications and select Pilot Participants.\u00a0 If you are interested in applying to become one of the pilot participants, be sure to read the NPRM as it lays out what the program is likely to mirror, including what prerequisites they\u2019ll be expecting (for example, is the applicant currently taking advantage of all available free resources).\u00a0 Form 484 applications will likely be submitted in the EPC portal, but for a sneak peek at what data elements will be collected on the new form, see:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/www.reginfo.gov\/public\/do\/DownloadDocument?objectID=138402800<\/a>.\u00a0 For a general overview of the new Cybersecurity Pilot, see\u00a0https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=35176<\/a>.<\/p>\n Community Facilities Grant for Anchor Institutions<\/strong>:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0The PA Broadband Authority (PBDA) has recently released guidelines and opened the application for an exciting new grant –\u00a0The Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program<\/a>\u00a0– geared specifically to help anchor institutions (schools, libraries, etc.) and local governments\u00a0construct, purchase or improve facilities that are or will be open to the public and will directly enable work, education, and health monitoring.\u00a0 Grant guidelines, FAQs, a recorded webinar, and a link to the application portal are available at\u00a0https:\/\/dced.pa.gov\/programs\/covid-19-arpa-pa-multi-purpose-community-facilities-program\/<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0Applications are being accepted January 22, 2024 to April 20, 2024.\u00a0\u00a0If you have questions, please direct them to\u00a0\u00a0pbda_capitalprojectsfund@pa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Digital Connectivity Technology Projects Grant<\/strong>:\u00a0\u00a0In the coming months, the PA Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) will release grant guidelines and open its application period for a $20 million Digital Connectivity Technology Projects (Devices Program), a competitive grant program that is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act\u2019s Capital Projects Fund (funded through U.S. Treasury). The Program will provide laptops and\/or tablets to support digital literacy efforts and enable users to fully participate in work, school, and health monitoring activities. Eligible applicants for the Devices Program include public-facing institutions such as schools, libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, non-profit organizations, and other community anchor institutions that are equipped to distribute devices to members of the public through short-term loan programs, or to be made available for use in public facilities. \u00a0PBDA is seeking feedback on several items where the U.S. Treasury has provided them with flexibility in program design. \u00a0Please take a few minutes to complete a brief form to offer your input on these important topics related to the Devices program. \u00a0Please note that more details will be released through program guidelines in the coming months.\u00a0 Submit input by Friday, March 1 at:\u00a0\u00a0CPF Devices Program – public input form<\/a>.<\/p>\n Coming soon:\u00a0 FY 2024 Application Filing Window resources and reminders.\u00a0 If you have any questions, please let me know!<\/p>\n — Julie<\/p>\n Julie Tritt Schell<\/p>\n Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator\n
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