1. E-rate 102: Completing form 470 Funding Year 2008: July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009 2008-09 school year

2. What about the tech plan? Must contain required 5 elements Must be written before filing the 470 Applicant must be able to provide the plan and proof of the date it was written when asked by PIA 4 of the 5 elements should be in your approved district/school CSIP

3. More on tech plans The Iowa Department of Education has provided a template which needed to be completed and sent to the AEA by November 1 –If it’s not sent, send today! –Lost the template? E-mail Pam! When you e-mail completed template, copy yourself to keep an electronic paper trail for use when/if PIA calls A look at the template

4. What to say about the budget Statement such as, “During the 2006-07 school year, our district spent $XXXX on hardware, software and professional development to support e-rate activities. We used $YYY from the General Fund and $ZZZ from Title ___ and $JJJ from other grants. We anticipate our district will spend the same amount in 2008-09 and will use the same funding sources.”

5. Technology training Audit or site visit will ask about teacher training related to E-rate services Advice: –Anything related to technology counts –If district/building PD includes technology in any way, include it! Have a sign-in sheet or some tangible evidence of teachers who attended

6. Online filing Training site: usactrain.solixinc.com Actual online filing: www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp

7. Form 470 What is it? Why do I have to fill it out?

8. Form 470 What is it? –Public “posting” on www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ –Announces to the world that you want bids for e-rate –Must be posted for full 28 days

9. E-rate Timelines Form 470 (Now – Dec 27) Wait 28 days Select provider/sign contract (if applicable) Form 471 (Nov 7 – Feb 7) Answer questions/call from PIA (Feb-?) Funding commitment decision letter Form 486

10. Check out e-rate applications from previous years Dig out old 470 and 471 forms Don’t limit yourself in bandwidth and services (think ahead)

11. What about the evergreen 470? If you’ve never heard of it, ignorance is bliss! Our recommendation: Forget about the evergreen 470, except in special circumstances (e.g. multi-year contract) File a new 470 every year for every eligible service

12. Form 470 Why do I have to fill it out? –Meets the requirement of competitive bidding –Is the first required step in the e-rate application process –You cannot get e-rate funding without it!

13. Form 470: Who must file? School districts/schools/AEAs Libraries Consortia of the above

14. Form 470 When do I file? –File now…no later than Dec 27, 2007 –Must wait full 28 days before filing form 471

15. Form 470: How do I file File online at www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ There are currently two choices of online filing: –“Create Form 470” (recommended) –“Form 470 Interview”

16. Why file 470 online? Why not paper? Faster processing Avoids “operator error”

17. Form 470: What’s eligible Download list from http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attach match/FCC-07-182A2.pdf http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attach match/FCC-07-182A2.pdf

18. Form 470: What’s eligible for funding Requirements for eligibility: –Must be an eligible product or service –Used by an eligible entity –Used at an eligible location –Used for an eligible purpose

19. Form 470: What’s eligible for funding? Four categories of services: –Telecommunications (priority 1) –Internet access (priority 1) –Internal connections (priority 2) –Maintenance of internal connections (priority 2)

20. Examples of telecomm services Local telephone services Long distance telephone service Cell phone service Service to bus barns, custodial facilities, etc. IS eligible!!!!!!!

21. More examples of telecomm services Centrex Leased circuits (data circuits) E-911 and 911 lines Voicemail service (not just considered telecomm service)

22. More telecomm services ICN interactive video Part III data circuits State files for both of these on your behalf

23. Question What about telephone companies that offer bundled services? (such as phone service and Internet in one package) How do I fill out form 470? (which category of service?) –Answer: Internet may be provided by a telecommunications provider BUT you must state on form 470 under telecom that you will consider bids with Internet service!!!!!

24. Internet services examples Internet access Cable modem service Domain Name Service (DNS) registration

25. Internet service examples –Firewall service (not purchase of firewall software) –Web hosting service (not purchase of web server)

26. Question? What if I put a service in the wrong category? (e.g. put “local phone service” as Internet?) –Answer: May result in NO FUNDING! Put the service in the correct category (see eligible services list)

27. Internal connections These are priority 2! Should I apply? Yes, if your building is high enough discount level (60% or above) Unused funds from previous years may be rolled into funding year 2008!!!!

28. Internal connections NOTE: priority 2 is the only category where items may be purchased by school/library NOTE: Tech plan detail is vital to support your priority 2 requests!!! 2 in 5 rule applies for internal connections

29. Examples of internal connections LANs Routers Switches Hubs Network servers Wireless LANs PBX (private branch exchange)

30. Question? What about the section of the eligible services list that isn’t category specific? –Answer: Telecomm and Internet are leased services. Internal connections MAY be purchased services.

31. Maintenance of internal connections These are priority 2 Should I apply? Yes, if your building is high enough discount level (60% or above) 2 in 5 rule does NOT apply for maintenance

32. Form 470: How many separate 470 forms to file? Your choice! You may file one form 470 OR You may file a separate form 470 for each type of service

33. What about competitive bids? SLD is getting more particular about documenting a fair and open bidding process Keep a record of bids received!!! (not just winning bid) Have a written process for evaluating bids and criteria for selection

34. What if no companies call me? Call them! Get the pricing they anticipate for July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Keep a record of calls, e- mail “bids” and written bids If no bids received...

35. Must I accept the lowest bid? No, not according to e-rate rules…but cost must be the primary consideration Other factors might be prior experience of vendor, qualification of personnel, financial stability of the company, service that meets the needs of your school/library

36. May we sign a contract? Yes, but only after the “allowable contract date” of 28 days Include contingency language in case you don’t get funded

37. Should I e-certify? E-certify an option only if –Your principal/supt/authorized person filed a signed and data entered 471 and/or 486 in previous year(s) –Call SLD’s Client Service Bureau if you need a pin number ( 888-203-8100) –New! Special Pins for BEARs-only now available (online BEAR filing)

38. What if we can’t/don’t want to e- certify? Print certification/signature page (as directed on form 470) Have supt/director/authorized person sign Still recommend you use blue ink Mail certification/signature page with return receipt USAC will then “reach out” with a PIN

39. If you don’t e-certify Use the certification page from the online filing DON’T just copy the cert page of the mail-in version

40. Address for paper cert SLD-Form 470 3833 Greenway Drive Lawrence, KS 66046 Phone number for delivery purposes: 888-203-8100

41. Final steps: Print a copy of the completed 470 for your files Photocopy your cert page (if paper cert) Keep the completed copy in e-rate notebook/files Check www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ to see if your form really was postedwww.sl.universalservice.org/sl/

42. How do I know my 470 was filed? 2 ways to check –www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ –You will receive a receipt in the mail! Keep the receipt letter (on blue paper for 2008)

43. Why should I check about filing? To check the “allowable contract date”…this is the earliest date you may file form 471! Don’t pick a service provider before the 28 days is up!

44. Get ready for form 471 Do you have new buildings? Have you closed any buildings? Have you reorganized with another district? Have you formed a “system” (non- publics)?

45. If any of the above is true… Call 1-888-203-8100 Let them know details about new building, closing of building, reorg, etc. They will likely require a faxed letter on school letterhead stating the change in status (signed by supt/director)

46. Are you on the AEAUSF listserv? No? Send Debbie an e-mail! debbie@iptv.org

47. Numbers to remember SLD Client Service Bureau –1-888-203-8100 Pam Pfitzenmaier –515-669-8159 –pam.pfitzenmaier@iowa.gov

48. References USAC E-rate info –http://www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/http://www.sl.universalservice.org/sl/ Iowa E-rate info –http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/eratehttp://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/erate E-Rate Central –http://www.e-ratecentral.com/www.e-ratecentral.com