Funding Wave #22 Released

Hello Everyone,

Below is a list of those Idaho applicants whose Funding Requests (FRN) are included in this week's Funding Wave #22 for FY2017. More Category 2 commitments are approved in this wave. Below is the funding breakdown for this week:

Total Commitment Wave 22 (Idaho):  $675,476.92   

APPLICANT LIST

Billed Entity Name                                   Committed $

MOSCOW CHARTER SCHOOL               $8,788.20

COEUR D'ALENE SCHOOL DIST. 271         $150,109.52

BLISS SCHOOL DISTRICT 234             $29,375.64

CASSIA JOINT SCHOOL DIST 151             $195,633.12

MERIDIAN JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT      $228,215.54

POST FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 273         $4,050.00

JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT NUMBER 243 $59,304.90

The next step is to log into EPC to "generate" your FCDL and file the Form 486. The FY 2017 Form 486 is NOW available in EPC. As with FY2016, no paper FCDL forms are being mailed for FY 2017.

If you were NOT included in this wave or any previous wave, it only means your application hasn't yet been reviewed. Continue watching for an e-mail for notification that your PIA questions are available in EPC. As soon as the questions are answered, you'll likely be in an upcoming funding wave. If there are concerns with your funding requests, send me an email and I can looking into it and see if I can get more information.

A funding wave will be released each week until all funds are exhausted.

Steps to take and items to pay close attention to on the 486:

1. Do not check every box on the form – read the text next to each checkbox first.

2. Choose only the FRNs that are ready for filing.

3. Modify the service start date(s) as appropriate.

4. Choose the correct CIPA certification based on your situation.

5. Review your form carefully before you certify it.

For more detail on these items, please visit USAC’s news brief site http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/Default.aspx

Please let me know if there are any questions on your funding of Form 486.

Thanks,

Todd

Funding Wave #21 Released

Hello Everyone,

Below is a list of those Idaho applicants whose Funding Requests (FRN) are included in this week's Funding Wave #21 for FY2017. More Category 2 commitments are approved in this wave. Below is the funding breakdown for this week:

Total Commitment Wave 21 (Idaho):  $961,325.87   

APPLICANT LIST

Billed Entity Name                                   Committed $

BOUNDARY COUNTY DISTRICT 101            $83,138.00

MERIDIAN JOINT SCHOOL DISTRICT          $564,306.70

NORTH VALLEY ACADEMY                  $32,220.00

POST FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT 273         $25,200.00

PRESTON SCHOOL DISTRICT 201            $23,058.29

VALLIVUE SCHOOL DISTRICT 139            $233,402.88

The next step is to log into EPC to "generate" your FCDL and file the Form 486. The FY 2017 Form 486 is NOW available in EPC. As with FY2016, no paper FCDL forms are being mailed for FY 2017.

If you were NOT included in this wave or any previous wave, it only means your application hasn't yet been reviewed. Continue watching for an e-mail for notification that your PIA questions are available in EPC. As soon as the questions are answered, you'll likely be in an upcoming funding wave. If there are concerns with your funding requests, send me an email and I can looking into it and see if I can get more information.

A funding wave will be released each week until all funds are exhausted.

Steps to take and items to pay close attention to on the 486:

1. Do not check every box on the form – read the text next to each checkbox first.

2. Choose only the FRNs that are ready for filing.

3. Modify the service start date(s) as appropriate.

4. Choose the correct CIPA certification based on your situation.

5. Review your form carefully before you certify it.

For more detail on these items, please visit USAC’s news brief site http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/Default.aspx

Please let me know if there are any questions on your funding of Form 486.

Thanks,

Todd

Final Days to Submit FY2016 BEARs for Recurring Services

Final Days to Submit FY 2016 BEARs for Recurring Services

~ Do NOT File in EPC - Use Old BEAR System ~

~ Must Have Approved Form 498 Before Filing BEAR ~

~ Request Extension Now if Needed ~

We’re down to the wire for FY2016 BEARs to be submitted, or to request an extension. The last date to receive recurring services for Funding Year 2016 was June 30, 2017; therefore, schools and libraries only have until October 28, 2017 (technically it’s October 30 because the 28^th falls on a weekend) to submit BEAR Forms (Form 472) to USAC to seek reimbursement if they paid their vendors in full. 

***If your vendor provided discounted bills from July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017, you can disregard this message. 

If your vendor charged you full price, you have just a few days to submit the form to collect your E-rate funding.

Note: For internal connection FRNs – the invoice deadline for those funding requests is at the end of January 2018.

There are several steps you must take before the Form 472 BEAR can be submitted. Please review each step and you will be successful in obtaining your reimbursements.

1. DID YOUR VENDOR SUBMIT THEIR 2016 FORM 473 SPAC? This is an annual form that every vendor must submit and without it, no BEARs that list that SPIN will be paid. Direct the vendor to: http://e-ratepa.org/?p=20121 for more information.
2. DID YOU SUBMIT THE FORM 486 FOR THE FRN? If Column I (Form 486 Filed?) shows ‘Missing or Not Filed’, but you know your 486 was submitted, contact USAC at 888-203-8100 and make sure it’s still in “review” status.  Due to IT issues (bugs), some 486s are stuck in the EPC approval process and no invoices can be submitted until they’re approved.   
3. DO YOU HAVE A BEAR PIN? BEARs (Form 472s) are NOT filed in EPC; they are filed in the legacy system at: https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx. To get into the old system, you must use your E-rate PIN -- not your EPC credentials. If you had an old E-rate PIN but can’t find it, contact CSB at 888-203-8100 and they can regenerate one for you. If you don’t have an E-rate PIN, complete the short PIN Request template at: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/xls/PIN-request-template.xlsx and then upload it into EPC by creating a Customer Service Case. USAC will then mail you a new PIN (or e-mail it since we’re so close to the deadline).  
4. DO YOU HAVE AN APPROVED 498 ON FILE WITH USAC? The 498 provides USAC with the banking information so that your BEAR reimbursements can be directly deposited into your account. Before you file the BEAR, you must have an approved Form 498 but you do not need to complete the Form 498 annually. If you completed it last year, the online BEAR system already has your banking data on file.

• To determine if you have an approved Form 498, log into EPC > Records > Form 498s > Click on 498 if one is showing to see the Status. If no 498 is showing, then there isn’t one on file with USAC.
• If you need to update your 498 Banking Data, log into EPC > Records > Form 498s > Click on the 498 > Related Actions > Modify Form 498.
• If you log into the Online BEAR System, and a Form 498 ID doesn’t appear in the form, it means you don’t have an approved 498 on file with USAC.
• The Form 498 must be filed in EPC by a "school or library official" (not a consultant). If you're unsure how to find or complete the 498, refer to this guide:  http://e-ratepa.org/?p=13701.
• After you submit the 498, you must then upload a copy of a voided/cancelled check so USAC can be assured that the information you entered on the 498 is accurate. USAC will issue an approval of your 498 via e-mail to the General Financial Contact. After receiving that approval, you can THEN submit the BEAR. Upload voided check to at: https://efile.universalservice.org/ContributorManagement/V1/BankValidation.
• DO YOU NEED MORE TIME? You may request a single, 120-day extension to file the BEAR, but the request must be submitted by the invoice deadline. There are no exceptions to this deadline, so when in doubt, it’s best to request! Where the deadline already has been extended, it’s likely due to your vendor already requesting and receiving an extension. You cannot request an additional extension.

HOW TO REQUEST AN INVOICE DEADLINE EXTENSION:

• If you have a BEAR PIN:  Log-in to the BEAR system (not EPC) to submit the request.  You’ll receive instant approval and the revised deadline.  http://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx Click on “Deadline Extension” on the top toolbar and enter the FRN, then Submit.
• If you don’t have a BEAR PIN: You must request the extension using Submit a Question http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/EMailResponse/EMail_Intro.aspx. Click “Continue”, then under 'Topic Inquiry' select "Invoice Deadline Extension Request" > Select “Other”  > Complete the information cover page, and then in the text box, list the FRN (or multiple FRNs) for which you need an extension.  FRN numbers are included in the attached spreadsheet. This approval process typically takes about 30 days. 

If you have any questions about the FY 2016 Invoice Deadlines or completing the BEAR, please contact me at tlawrence@sde.idaho.gov

FY2017 Funding Wave #20 Released

Hello Everyone,

Below is a list of those Idaho applicants whose Funding Requests (FRN) are included in this week's Funding Wave #20 for FY2017. More Category 2 commitments are approved and the first large project was funded this week. Hopefully we’ll see more come through and get approved. Below is the funding breakdown for this week:

Total Commitment Wave 20:  $69,442.32

APPLICANT LIST

Billed Entity Name                                   Committed $

FORREST M. BIRD CHARTER SCHOOL	$             49,974.00
LILLIAN VALLELY SCHOOL	$              6,508.32
BEAR LAKE CO SCHOOL DIST 33	$             12,960.00

The next step is to log into EPC to "generate" your FCDL and file the Form 486. The FY 2017 Form 486 is NOW available in EPC. As with FY2016, no paper FCDL forms are being mailed for FY 2017.

If you were NOT included in this wave or any previous wave, it only means your application hasn't yet been reviewed. Continue watching for an e-mail for notification that your PIA questions are available in EPC. As soon as the questions are answered, you'll likely be in an upcoming funding wave. If there are concerns with your funding requests, send me an email and I can looking into it and see if I can get more information.

A funding wave will be released each week until all funds are exhausted.

Steps to take and items to pay close attention to on the 486:

1. Do not check every box on the form – read the text next to each checkbox first.

2. Choose only the FRNs that are ready for filing.

3. Modify the service start date(s) as appropriate.

4. Choose the correct CIPA certification based on your situation.

5. Review your form carefully before you certify it.

For more detail on these items, please visit USAC’s news brief site http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/Default.aspx

Please let me know if there are any questions on your funding of Form 486.

Thanks,

Todd

FCC Seeks Comments on How to Improve Category 2 Funding Program - Due Oct 23rd

FCC Seeks Comments on How to Improve Category 2 Funding Program

Public Notice Document:

http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2017/db0922/DA-17-921A1.pdf

The FCC has just released a Public Notice seeking comments from schools, libraries and others about the E-rate Category 2 funding initiative and ways it should be improved.  Specifically, they are seeking input on these issues:

1. The sufficiency of Category 2 budgets.

a.     Is $150/student (or $2.30 or $5/sq. foot for libraries) over 5 years enough funding?  How have applicants have used their budgets and what percentage of the eligible C2 projects were NOT covered by the C2 budget amounts?  

b.     Are there specific situations where the C2 budgets were not enough because of differences in geography, rural status, applicant type, or student population?

c.     For those applicants that have not used any of their C2 budgets, why?  Did those applicants already have adequate internal connections in place before FY 2015 when the C2 initiative began?  Do they intend to seek support for category two services in FY 2018 or FY 2019? 

2. The administration of the budgets from both from a policy perspective and with regard to the application process. 

a.     Should the C2 budgets be calculated differently (different than student counts or square footage)?   Is there a simpler way to calculate the C2 budgets?  If so, how?  How would that simpler method be an improvement over the current system?  

b.     How could the current C2 application process be changed to ease the burden on applicants?  Specifically, how could EPC be changed?  The Form 471?  The Invoicing Process?  Form 500? 

Feel free to include comments on anything Category 2-related that you want the FCC to know or change, not just the topics listed above, such as…

a.     District-wide allocation instead of building allocation?

b.     Easing of equipment transfer rules?

c.     Need for comprehensive C2 budget tracking tool?

d.     Expansion of eligible equipment list?

Comments are due by Monday, October 23.  If you’ve ever thought, “$150/student isn’t nearly enough to cover what we need in a school,” or “I wish the rules gave districts a single C2 budget that covered all buildings and not require a building-by-building allocation,” this is your chance to provide input to the very FCC officials who will be making those changes.  I encourage anyone who has comments – even brief, 1 page comments that only touch on one aspect of C2 – to submit those comments to the FCC by October 23.   I promise you, the FCC staff who write the rules read every comment that is submitted.  

Submitting comments is easy to do and here are the steps:

Writing Comments:  

• Put comments on district or library letterhead. 
• Reference “Category 2 Public Notice - WC Docket No. 13-184” at the top of your document.
• Include your name and contact information.
• Wherever possible, include examples and data.  If the $150/student wasn’t enough, explain the exact amount you needed for eligible equipment. 

Uploading Comments to the FCC:  

• Go to: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings.  There will be a cover page containing several fields which should be completed as follows:
• Proceeding:  13-184
• Name of Filer:  School or Library Name
• Law Firm:  Leave Blank
• Attorney/Author Name:  Name of Person Submitting Comments
• Type of Filing:  COMMENT
• Then upload your comments, select ‘Continue to Review Screen,’ and then ‘Submit.’

If you have any questions about this Public Notice or would like me to review your comments before they’re submitted, please let me know!

Thanks, 

Todd Lawrence