E-Rate News Flash 22-09

E-Rate
   Tuesday, November 1, 2022

October 25, 2022

E-Rate News Flash

Contents:

  • Announcements
  • Funding Commitment Summary
  • Pending Dates and Deadlines
  • E-Rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund Training Resources
  • E-Rate Process: Activities to Work on Now

Announcements

Funding Year 2021 Invoice Deadline is October 28, 2022

The deadline for invoicing the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) for Funding Year (FY) 2021 recurring services and one-time special construction is October 28, 2022. Recurring services consist of Category 1 broadband and Internet access services and Category 2 Managed Internal Broadband Services and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. October 28 is the last date a school or school district applicant may file an FCC Form 472 Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) form or a service provider may file an FCC Form 474 Service Provider Invoice (SPI) for E-Rate reimbursement without an extension.

One-Time Request for Invoice Deadline Extension

Applicants or service providers may request a single one-time 120-day extension from USAC in order to have additional time to file claims for reimbursement beyond the October 28 deadline. However, the Invoice Deadline Extension Request must be submitted to USAC on or before the October 28, 2022 deadline. Requests received after this deadline cannot be processed by USAC. There is no penalty to file an extension request, and all requests that are filed by the deadline will be granted. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not invoicing is complete on a Funding Request, it is best to file the request for extension. More information on how to submit extension requests may be found on USAC’s website at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/invoicing/invoice-deadline-extensions/.

Funding Year 2022 FCC Form 486 Deadline is October 28, 2022

The FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation and Children's Internet Protection Act Certification Form) notifies USAC that the school or school district applicant is receiving, or has received, services in the relevant funding year and is compliant with the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA). The first FCC Form 486 deadline for FY 2022 is October 28, 2022 for applicants who received their funding commitment decision letters (FCDLs) on or before June 30, 2022 and who had services starting July 1, 2022. USAC will not process any invoicing reimbursements for FY 2022 until an applicant receives its FCDL and certifies its FCC Form 486. Please visit USAC’s website for further information on filing the FCC Form 486 and CIPA requirements at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/starting-services/fcc-form-486-filing/.

USAC Moving Online BEAR Filing to EPC

This winter, USAC is integrating the invoicing, appeals and post-commitment functions into the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), giving users a single platform on which to conduct all E-Rate transactions. USAC expects to make the cutover to EPC in a phased approach beginning with implementation of certain features in December of 2022. Additional required steps and impact to applicants is still being determined and additional information will be provided soon. Implementation news, resources, and updates can be found on USAC’s E-Rate System Consolidation website: https://www.usac.org/e-rate/resources/e-rate-system-consolidation/.

E-Rate Administrative Window Opens October 25

On October 25, 2022, the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) will open the Administrative Window for updating entity profile information in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). Profile information includes an entity’s classification, address, enrollment, National School Lunch Program (NSLP) information, Urban/Rural status and is the basis of the discount calculation on the FCC Form 471.  Applicants should carefully review their entity profiles from now until the open of the FCC Form 471 window in early January at which time the entity profile information will be locked and not editable until the FY 2023 application window has closed. For applicants that applied for Category 2 in FY 2021 and/or FY 2022, the Category 2 Budgets are fixed for the five-year budget cycle FY 2021-2025 unless a Replacement Budget is requested.

K12HSN 2022-23 E-Rate Training for California Applicants

California’s K12 High Speed Network will be offering multiple webinars throughout the E-Rate filing window specifically tailored to assist California’s school and school district applicants navigate the process. Please click on the Register links below to sign up!

  • November 02, 2022 12PM PST - Beginners: E-Rate 101 and Tour of K12HSN Resources - Register
  • November 08, 2022 2PM PST - Filing FCC Form 470 and California Competitive Bidding Reminders - Register
  • November 10, 2022 2PM PST - Beginners: Administrative Window Updates - Calculating Discounts and Category 2 Budgets - Register
  • December 07, 2022 12PM PST - Office Hour and Tour of USAC's Data Tools and Application Platforms - Register
  • January 11, 2023 12PM PST - Office Hour and Preparing for E-rate Filing Window - Register
  • January 18, 2023 11AM PST - Beginners: Filing FCC Form 471 for Category 1 - Register
  • January 25, 2023 11AM PST - Beginners: Filing FCC Form 471 for Category 2 - Register
  • April 12, 2023 11AM PST - Office Hour and Review of Post Application Window Activities - Register
  • May 17, 2023 11AM PST - Office Hour and Important Invoicing Reminders - Register

It is free of charge to participate and recordings and materials are posted for future reference at K12HSN’s website https://www.k12hsn.org/resources/erate/training. Any suggestions for training topics and/or questions may be submitted in advance to eratequestions@lists.k12hsn.org.

California Funding Commitment Summary

Emergency Connectivity Fund

Windows 1 and 2

In the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) first and second application windows, California applicants requested over $923 million in funding. To date, USAC has issued $688 million in commitments for California applicants.

Window 3

In the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) third application window, California applicants requested $447 million in funding. To date, USAC has issued $29 million in commitments for California applicants.

E-Rate

Funding Year 2022

For Funding Year 2022, California applicants have successfully submitted 5,353 funding requests for $496 million. California applicants requested $237 million for Category 1 services and $259 million for Category 2 services. To date, USAC has committed $355 million for California applicants.

E-Rate Funding Year 2021

For Funding Year 2021, California applicants have successfully submitted 5,686 funding requests for $375 million. California applicants requested $231 million for Category 1 services and $144 million for Category 2 services. To date, USAC has committed $316 million for California applicants.

Pending Dates and Deadlines

E-Rate deadlines may be viewed or calculated on the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) website at https://www.usac.org/sl/tools/deadlines/default.aspx.

October 28 Invoice Deadline

The deadline for invoicing of Funding Year 2021 recurring services and one-time special construction is October 28, 2022. This is the last date an applicant may file an FCC Form 472 Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) form or a service provider may file an FCC Form 474 Service Provider Invoice (SPI) for E-Rate reimbursement without an extension.

One-Time Request for Extension

Applicants or service providers may request a single one-time 120-day extension to file additional claims for reimbursement. However, the Invoice Deadline Extension Request must be submitted to USAC on or before the October 28, 2022 deadline. Requests received after this deadline cannot be processed by USAC. There is no penalty to file an extension request, and all requests that are filed by the deadline will be granted. If you are in any doubt as to whether or not invoicing is complete on a Funding Request, it is best to file the request for extension. More information on how to submit extension requests may be found on USAC’s website at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/invoicing/invoice-deadline-extensions/.

FCC Form 486 Filing Reminder

The FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation and Children's Internet Protection Act Certification Form) notifies USAC that the billed entity and/or the eligible entities that it represents is receiving, or has received, service in the relevant funding year from the named service provider(s).

Funding Year 2022

The first FCC Form 486 deadline for FY 2022 is October 28, 2022 for services starting July 1, 2022.

Funding Year 2021

The first FCC Form 486 deadline for FY 2021 was October 28, 2021 for funding waves 1-11 with services starting July 1, 2021.

Waves #

FCDL
Date

Form 486 Due Date

  
 

1-57

04/17/2021-06/10/2022

Deadline passed for services starting July 1, 2021

  

58

06/29/2022

10/27/2022

  

60

07/27/2022

11/24/2022

  

61

08/10/2022

12/08/2022

  

62

08/24/2022

12/22/2022

  

63

09/09/2022

01/07/2023

  

 

Funding Year 2020

FCC Form 486 must be filed 120 days from the date of the issuance of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) or the start date of E-Rate eligible services, whichever is later.

Waves #

FCDL
Date

Form 486 Due Date

  
 

1-92

05/09/2020-5/25/2022

Deadline passed for services starting July 1, 2020

  

94

6/22/2022

10/20/2022

  

97

8/3/2022

12/01/2022

  

Funding Year 2019

For ongoing recurring services, starting on July 1, 2019, the following deadlines have passed or are approaching in the next few months.

Waves #

FCDL
Date

Form 486 Due Date

  
 

1-104

04/27/2019-
4/13/2022

Deadline passed for services starting 07/01/2019

  

107

6/15/2022

10/13/2022

  

 

Applicants missing these or earlier deadlines should closely monitor their News Feed in the E-Rate Productivity Center for an FCC Form 486 Urgent Reminder Letter notification. This letter will allow the applicant a 15-day extension to submit an FCC Form 486 without penalty.

Upcoming Training Events

Numerous training opportunities available for E-Rate and Emergency Connectivity Fund applicants are available or are coming soon.

Universal Services Administrative Company Recorded Resources

E-Rate Resources

USAC has announced its Fall 2022 Training Schedule. Click the links below to register:

 

USAC has pre-recorded webinars and other materials available at its website at  https://www.usac.org/E-Rate/learn/webinars/. Recently held webinars include the following:

  • E-Rate Invoicing Process: Office Hour Webinar (July 21, 2022)
  • Filing the FCC Form 470 and the Competitive Bidding Process Webinar (August 25, 2022)

Emergency Connectivity Fund Resources

USAC has conducted multiple office hour webinars for ECF. You may view the webinars and register at this website: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/training/live-sessions/. Recently held webinars include:

  • ECF Invoice Review Refresher Webinar (September 15 and 20, 2022)

K12 High Speed Network E-Rate Resources

In addition to conducting live training events through the application window, K12HSN has a wide variety of resources on its website that are tailored specifically to California’s school and school district applicants. The E-Rate Roadmap and Resource Guide provides an in-depth and step-by-step overview of the E-Rate program requirements and application process with links to various resources and videos. K12HSN also has an extensive library of pre-recorded webinars and materials that address a wide variety of topics and are available on-demand at any point in the E-Rate process. You may contact K12HSN’s E-Rate support team at any time with questions about E-Rate at eratequestions@lists.k12hsn.org.

E-Rate Process: Activities to Work on Now

Reviewing Contracts and Services for Upcoming FCC Form 470 and Competitive Bidding Cycle

For Funding Year 2023, school and school district applicants should begin reviewing their existing services and contracts to determine:

  • Is the existing service and contract valid for the duration of the 2023 funding year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024)?
  • Does the existing service and contract meet the needs and expected growth anticipated in the 2023 funding year?

If the answer is ‘No’ to any of the questions above, applicants can further research their original procurement processes, establishing FCC Forms 470, and contract language to determine if services and contracts can be extended and/or amended.

The final Funding Year 2023 Eligible Services List is currently pending; however applicants can refer to the Funding Year 2022 Eligible Services List at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/before-you-begin/eligible-services-list/ to determine the services for which they may seek funding and begin a competitive bidding and FCC Form 470 process for Funding Year 2023.