A few important updates and reminders:
- Copy FRN Function Fixed –
On Friday USAC announced that they fixed the problems with the Copy FRN
feature and it should no longer cause system errors. This can be a
real time saver if you have large FRNs (particularly Category 1 FRNs) from
a previous year, or even another FY 2018 Form 471, that you just want to
copy and make updates. Be sure to update the Service Start Date to 7/1/2018
and review the requested amounts and Recipients of Service to ensure all
data is still accurate. Note: If you added or removed entities
from your EPC profile since last year, those changes will not be reflected
in the newly copied FRN so updates will need to be made in order for the
application to proceed.
- Category 2 Budget
Amounts – USAC has still not “officially” announced the
inflation-adjusted Category 2 per-pupil amounts for FY 2018, likely
because they’re wrestling with a compounding/rounding issue. I
believe that the $156.23/student amount is firm, but the library per
square foot may be $2.39 or $2.40. Libraries, please use the $2.39
amount to be safe and not go over budget.
- Don’t Make Category 2
Purchases Before April 1 – E-rate rules permit the purchasing of
Internal Connections equipment on or after April 1, 2018 – but not before.
- Respond Promptly to PIA
Inquiries – Many of you are already receiving PIA questions (PIA
is the arm of USAC that reviews every line of every application). Please
be sure to respond to these inquiries promptly so you can get in the queue
for an earlier funding wave. If you have any questions, please don’t
hesitate to contact me for assistance!
- Have Written
Documentation if Extending a Contract – If you have a contract
that includes voluntary extensions, and you are exercising one of those
extensions for FY 2018, be sure to have something in writing to or with
the service provider. PIA will see that your Contract Expiration Date
is a year later than last year and will require you to submit proof that
you extended the contract. Such documentation to or with the service
provider must be dated on or before the date you submitted your Form 471. It’s
also a good idea to mention in the FRN Narrative box that you are
extending the contract.
- Have Documentation of
Taxes/Surcharges – If your invoices include vendor
taxes/surcharges, be sure to include those amounts on a separate FRN Line
Item. I’ve heard that PIA is asking for proof of those amounts this
year, so be prepared to provide PIA a copy of a vendor invoice or contract
that shows these amounts, should you be asked. If you have signed a
new contract with a vendor and don’t yet know the taxes/fees, REQUIRE YOUR
SERVICE PROVIDER TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THIS INFORMATION. Most Internet
invoices do not include taxes/surcharges.
- Timing of FY 2018
Funding Commitments? – I expect the first funding wave for FY
2018 will come out in early May.
Please e-mail me if you have any questions!
Happy Form 471 Filing!
Todd Lawrence
tlawrence@sde.idaho.gov