Applicant Process
100% of the schools who call seek guidance on Erate rules.
What funding is available? How do I get it? The first thing we do when a new client calls is to do a full analysis of their Erate history. This allows us to provide information specific to your school. If you are new to the program, we will work with you and explain the program. We will review the program eligibility, potential discount, and the application process.
Overview
An Erate Funding Year spans July 1st through June 30th. The application process begins approximately six to eight months prior to the Funding Year. The process consists of collecting school data, developing detailed requirements, FCC Form 470 submission, competitive bidding, execution of a contract, and the final submission of the FCC Form 471.
The links below provide detail information about the Erate program and the process.
Businessmap has a complete start up process. Data collected includes
- Determine school eligibility information and enrollment data
- Set up Erate Productivity Center account
- Collect state information on school’s disadvantaged data
- Determine school discount eligibility
- Collect data on school’s current network equipment and broadband
- Analyze previous Erate application funding year data
- Help to determine Internet and wireless infrastructure needs
ELIGIBLE SERVICES LIST
DISCOUNT MATRIX
Collaboration is a critical component of a successful program. We work with school officials to ensure correct and maximum funding.
Th FCC Form 470 can be filed anytime during the year at the Erate Productivity Center according to FCC rules. The FCC Form 470 is submitted when the district’s needs are determined. An FCC Formal Request for Proposal can be submitted but is not required.
The FCC Form 470 establishes the specifications from which the vendors will bid. If an item is not on the FCC Form 470, it cannot be applied for on the FCC Form 471 or awarded. The next step is the 28-day competitive bidding process.
ERATE PRODUCTIVITY CENTER
FCC FORM 470
The FCC Form 470 provides the specifications for competitive bidding.
The competitive bidding process is a minimum of 28 days from the date the FCC Form 470 is submitted. During this time, vendors have the opportunity to bid on the FCC Form 470 specifications and Request for Proposal.
The applicant must select the most cost-effective service offering using price of the equipment and services as a primary factor. The cost effectiveness is determined through the completion of the
DOCUMENT RETENTION
The FCC requires that all documents and correspondence be retained for ten years.
Once the window for the FCC Form 471 is open and the 28-day competitive bidding period has passed, an applicant can file the FCC Form 471. The FCC Form 471 almost always is associated with an executed contract. (The only exception is broadband cable at a cost less than $3600 per year.) Contracts must be signed and dated prior to submitting the FCC Form 471.
The FCC Form 471 calculates the discount percentage and displays the discounted amount the school will receive. The discounts range from 20% to 90% for Category 1: Data transmission; and 20% to 85% for Category 2: Wireless Infrastructure.
PROGRAM INTEGRITY REVIEW
After the FCC Form 471 is submitted and certified, USAC reviews the data on the FCC Form 471 to verify all of the funding requests are accurate and compliant with E-rate program rules. This is known as the Program Integrity Review process. This phase can take a few weeks, a few months or even longer.
Once the FCC Form 471 is reviewed, the Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) is issued. This electronic document n EPC to both the applicant and the service provider, setting forth its funding decision for each funding request
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COMMITMENT LETTER (FCDL)
The FCDL letter is an electronic document sent to the Account Administrator and the FCC Form 471 authorizer. It provides notice that the funds have been appropriated by the FCC.
FCC FORM 486: START OF SERVICE
FCC Form 486 is a one-page FCC Form that is submitted soon after the FCDL is received. The FCC Form 486 confirms to USAC that services have started and provides assurance of the school’s Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) status.
The school has two options for disbursements –
FCC FORM 474: SERVICE PROVIDER INVOICING (SPI) or
If a school elects the SPI method, the school pays their undiscounted portion and the Service Provider bills USAC for the remainder.
FCC FORM 472: BILLED ENTITY APPLICANT REIMBURSEMENT (BEAR)
If a school elects the BEAR method, the school pays for the services in full and submits a BEAR request for reimbursement of the discounted amount.