K-12 and Library Erate Information: Application Process


Page Title: K-12 and Library Erate Information: Application Process Page Address: http://www.merit.edu/resources/erate/k12lib_process.php

Application Process

To apply for discounts, schools and libraries submit a three-stage application consisting of:

FCC Form 470 (Description of Services Requested and Certification)

This form describes the services and/or products you are seeking, and includes information about you that service providers need to know to best meet your needs. After receiving and posting your Form 470, the SLD will mail you a Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter, confirming that your Form 470 was successfully posted. The 470 must be posted on the SLD web site for a 28-day competitive bidding period, during which vendors will contact you to bid on your requested services. You must wait at least 28 days from the date of your FCC Form 470 posting before signing any contract or making other arrangements for new services. Nothing in this process is intended to supplant or replace state or local competitive bidding processes or timeframes. At the end of the 28-day competitive bidding process, you select the vendor(s) for the requested services and sign a contract, unless one is not required, such as tariff telecommunications services or month-to-month service arrangements, which are usually provided without a formal written contract. Form 470 requires a written technology plan.

See Michigan K12 Technology Plan Approval and Michigan Libraries Technology Plan Approval for more information.
FCC Form 471 (Services Ordered and Certification)

This form provides the SLD with the details of actual costs for each service you requested. After you have selected service providers and signed contracts, you must file the Form 471 as soon as you are allowed. Each year the SLD establishes a �window period� for the Form 471, during which all properly completed applications are treated as if they were simultaneously received. Form 471 applications must be submitted during this window to be treated as if they had been simultaneously received. Forms received after the window closes will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis.

The SLD will mail you Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgement Letters, confirming what was requested on your Form 471. After your Form 471 has been reviewed, the SLD issues a Funding Commitment Decision Letter, telling what level of E-Rate funding has been allocated for eligible services. Each service that you request will be assigned a Funding Request Number and will be approved or disapproved individually. The SLD will also notify your vendors of your funding commitment.
FCC Form 486 (Receipt of Service Confirmation)

After you receive the Funding Commitment Decision Letter, you must submit the Form 486 as an indication that services have begun. This form allows the SLD to process your service provider(s)/vendor(s) invoices for your discount. Before sending in this form, each participating school and library must develop a technology plan and have it approved by an independent agency certified by the SLD. These agencies include state education or library agencies. The technology plan describes how schools and libraries intend to integrate the use of these technologies into their programs or curricula.

The applicant must have an approved technology plan before Form 486 is filed AND before the services start date. The Form 486 is also used to certify compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) regarding Internet safety policies and filtering. Both libraries and schools must comply with the Internet safety policy and public hearing requirements.

Receiving Discounts

Once a funding request has been accepted and approved, you will receive the applicable discount on telecommunications services, Internet access, and/or internal connections, and pay the remaining portion of the costs to your service providers. Service providers who send discounted bills to participating customers will be reimbursed by the Fund Administrator for the cost of the approved discounts.

E-rate 2010: It's almost time...

The Form 471 window hasn't been announced, but it isn�t too early to start writing your RFPs and submitting your Form 470s! Get ahead of the game and avoid the last minute rush by going out for bid this fall.

Whether you're going out for bids, or you will have an existing contract in place for 2010-2011, Merit's Support Team can help you assess your bandwidth requirements and prepare for a smooth 2010 E-rate cycle. Contact the Member Relations Team today to discuss how Merit can help you leverage your connection to the Merit Community.

Contact the K12 or Library Support Team with any questions.

Phone: 734-527-5772

Email:

Erate Documents
Type:	Document Name:
	E-Rate Discount Program Information
	E-Rate Form 471, Block 5, Item 21: Service Description: Dedicated Internet Access
	Erate Checklist

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