Presentation Transcript

1. Kansas K-12 E-rateTraining

   Nov 13, 2013  Southeast Kansas Education Service Center Nov 14, 2013  South Central Education Service Center Nov 19, 2013  Southwest Plains Regional Service Center Nov 20, 2013  Smoky Hill Education Service Center, Hays Nov 21, 2013  Smoky Hill Education Service Center, Salina Nov 25, 2013Topeka 
2. Today’s Topics: State & Federal Update General E-rate Information Understanding Eligible Services E-rate Process Avoiding Pitfalls Questions
3. Support for the Process www.ksde.org/take KSDE E-rate listserv weekly + posts Send email to listserv@listserv.ksde.org With message: Subscribe KS_ErateFirstnameLastname USAC Weekly Newsbriefwww.universalservice.org Service Center Staff! Kansas E-rate Hotline 1-866-372-8302 (thru 6/2014) Melinda Stanley: mstanley@ksde.org 785-296-1204
4. State & Federal Updates E-rate Modernization / E-rate 2.0 / ConnectED Other Universal Service Programs: Lifeline State Broadband Initiative (KS Dept of Commerce)Community Pilots (Counties: Bourbon, Douglas, Shawnee, Dodge City)State Broadband Map Gigabit Library Pilot Education Superhighway Partnership KS Speed Test Month or from www.ksde.org/take Internet Pricing Portal – Emailing 2013-14 Item 21 attachments to pricing@educationsuperhighway.org
5. General E-rate Information E-rate Organization Federal Communication Commission (FCC), currently oversees E-rate program Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), administers the E-rate program Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) is the part of USAC with responsibility for the E-rate program
6. General E-rate Information E-rate Timeline Commitments are made by funding year (FY) which runs from July 1 through the following June 30 USAC refers to the funding year as the year in which most services will begin FY 2013 is July 1, 2013-June 30, 2014
7. General E-rate Information Funding for E-rate The FCC capped program funding at $2.25 billion per year until 2010 when the FCC began to adjust the cap annually for inflation Once a year, the FCC is required to roll over all unused funds from prior funding years to the next full funding year
8. General E-rate Information E-rate Eligibility Who is eligible for funding? Elementary and secondary schools and school districts Libraries and Library Systems Consortia – groups of eligible entities that band together to aggregate demand and negotiate lower prices
9. General E-rate Information E-rate Discounts How large are the discounts on eligible products and services? 20%-90% of eligible costs Discount level for a school or library depends upon: Percentage of students who are eligible for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) inthe school Urban or rural location of the schoolhttp://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step04/urban-rural.aspx KSDE NSLP Free & Reduced Data: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=1870 KSDE can provide F/R Validation if requested.
10. General E-rate InformationWhat’s My Discount? Understanding the Discount Matrix
11. E-rate Cycles Year AFTER Item 21 reviews Additional Certifications Hopefully receive Funding Commitment Letter Year Before
12. Juggling Funding Years Just because you have wrapped up a funding year doesn’t mean you’re finished! Examples… Right now… – 2014 Identifying services for coming year prepping to file Form 470, issue an RFP/Competitive Bid cycle – 2012 Invoicing (Reimbursement– Form 472) – 2013 Watching for Funding Commitment for this year, and poised to alerts USAC you’re ready to start funding(Form 486)
13. Understanding Eligible Services E-rate Categories of Service Priority 1 (P1): funded first Telecommunications Services Internet Access Telecommunications Priority 2 (P2): funded second and starts with neediest applicants Internal Connections Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections Miscellaneous Eligible Services List Published Annually (FY14 released Oct 22, 2013) http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-13-2037A1.pdf
14. Understanding Eligible ServicesPriority One Telecommunications Services Digital Transmission Services Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Primary Rate Interface (PRI) T-1, T-3 Satellite Service
15. Understanding Eligible Services Not Eligible as Telecommunications Services Broadcast ‘Blast’ Messaging Monitoring services for 911, E911 or alarm telephone lines Services to ineligible locations End-user devices Cell phones, tablet devices, netbooks and computers
16. Eligible Services List 2014 Eligible Services List for FY 2014 has been approved by the FCC. The following minor change was included: Applicants may seek web hosting services from a single provider and may not request funding for multiple web hosting providers (i.e., there can be only one host of a school’s basic website) Interactive webhosting features, such as blogging, are not eligible as stand-alone services
17. Understanding Eligible ServicesPriority One Internet Access Support for Internet Access includes charges to access the Internet and costs for the conduit to the Internet Other eligible Internet Access services include: Email service Wireless Internet access Interconnected Hosted VoIP Web hosting
18. Bundled VOIP Handsets The eligible services list states: “The following charges are NOT ELIGIBLE for E-rate support: End User Equipment. Support is not available for end-user equipment.” Be wary of vendors trying to bundle phone handsets with VOIP service, calling the phones, “free” Leased gateway or router is eligible FCC going to issue more formal guidance in the next few months on this issue
19. Understanding Eligible Services Not Eligible as Internet Access Costs for Internet content Subscription services such as monthly charges for on-line magazine subscriptions Internet 2 membership dues Website creation fees Web-based curriculum software Software, services or systems used to create or edit Internet content
20. Understanding Eligible ServicesPriority Two Internal Connections Support for equipment and cabling on-site that transport info to classrooms or public rooms of a library Subject to the Two-in-Five Rule Entities can only receive funding every two out of five years
21. Understanding Eligible ServicesPriority Two Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections Support for basic maintenance of eligible internal connections such as: Repair and upkeep of hardware Wire and cable maintenance Basic tech support Configuration changes
22. Understanding Eligible Services Not eligible as Internal Connections End-user components Computers, laptops, tablets, speakers, white boards Most software Anti-virus, anti-spam, curriculum or productivity software Spare parts Intercom or public address (PA) systems
23. FY 2014 & BeyondFunding Projections
24. Funding Predictions for FY 2014 Let’s look at FY 2013 $2.38 billion available Demand for Priority 1 (telecom and Internet) is $2.709 billion an increase of 10.8% from last year FCC rolled over $450M in unused funds from prior years to be able to fund all eligible Priority 1 requests Demand for Priority 2 (internal connections) at 90% discount level is $1.76 billion If P1 grows again by 10%, P1 demand will be almost $3 billion
25. Funding Predictions for FY 2014 P1: Doubtful that FCC would not find funding to cover all P1 requests P2: There is very little chance that any P2 funding will be available for FY 2014 unless the FCC institutes major reforms

26. Questions Thus Far?

27. You already know the process is simple….Right? RNL BID RAL 472 or 474
28. E-rate Process Technology Planning File FCC Form 470 Get: Receipt Notification Letter (RNL) Issue an RFP/Competitive Bidding File FCC Form 471 Get: Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) Application Review Get: Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) FCC Form 486 Get: Receipt Notification Letter (RNL) FCC Forms 472 (BEAR) and 474 (SPI) USAC Flow Chart of Process: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/handouts/application-process-flow-chart.pdf
29. E-rate Letters Each time applicants file a program form, USAC sends you a notification or acknowledgement letter. • Letters are color‐coded by funding year – 2013 is PINK – 2014 is BLUE – 2015 is CANARY • Note: When storing documents, USAC encourages you to separate your program forms and letters by funding year to better organize them.
30. Filing E-rate Forms Three options: • File online, certify on paper • File online, certify online • File on paper, certify on paper USAC encourages you to file online, because online filing speeds processing and reduces errors.
31. E-Certification/PINs* E-rate PINs can be used to file E-rate forms online PIN assigned to a person and is specific to that entity while employed at that entity Not given to an entity No way to request a PIN Must sign a paper certification of a 470, 471 or 486 SLD will mail them a PIN in a small white mailer Can still submit these forms online, but cert page must be signed and mailed to USAC PIN then may be used to 470, 471, 486, and BEAR Forms HINT: Don’t make the BEAR Form the first one you sign as USAC will issue a BEAR-only PIN
32. E-rate ProcessAcronyms and Terms Billed Entity Number (BEN): an identification number assigned by USAC to each school or library building Personal Identification Number (PIN): a code assigned by USAC to applicants for use in certifying online USAC issues a PIN to every new authorized person Request for Proposals (RFP): a bidding document (not required by Erate) that provides detailed information about your services, locations, bid submission requirements FCC Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter (RNL): a letter issued by USAC to the applicant that summarizes the information provided in the FCC Form 470 USAC Acronyms & Terms http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/handouts/SL-Glossary-of-Terms.pdf
33. E-rate ProcesssAcronyms and Terms Allowable Vendor Contract Date/Contract Date (ACD): the date 28 which marks 28 days after the FCC Form 470 is posted to the USAC website Funding Request Number (FRN): the identification number assigned to a funding request Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN): the identification number assigned by USAC to a service provider Item 21 Attachment: the description of services associated with a funding request Item 21 attachments can be submitted online, by fax, email, or on paper
34. E-rate ProcessAcronyms and Terms Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL): a letter issued by USAC to the applicant and the service provider that summarizes the information provided in the Form 471 Many of the entries on the form can be corrected after submission Ministerial and clerical errors can be corrected until USAC issues the Funding Commitment Decision Letter Program Integrity Assurance (PIA): the USAC group that reviews and makes funding decisions on your application Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL): a letter issued by USAC to the applicant and the service provider that contains commitment decisions on funding requests Applicants and Service Providers should carefully review their FCDL for details on approved or denied requests and your next steps and next steps
35. E-rate ProcessTechnology Planning A technology plan must contain the following 4 elements: Goals and strategies for using technology to improve education or library services Needs assessment Staff training Evaluation plan KSDE Tech Plan Info & Resources: www.ksde.org/take Due Dates: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2784
36. E-rate ProcessRequesting Service FCC Form 470 Purpose Opens your competitive bidding process Notifies potential bidders of the types and quantities of services that you need Must be posted on the USAC website at least 28 days before filing the FCC Form 471
37. E-rate ProcessRequesting Services Applicants must ensure they post for the correct category of services New FCC Form 470 combines Telecommunications and Internet Access Sufficient detail in FCC Form 470 to enable service providers to formulate bids Be specific on what you put on your Form 470….don’t copy and paste from the Eligible Services List
38. Changes to Form 470 Use old form until new one comes online (expected to be the end of November) New form will consolidate Telecommunications and Internet into a single “Priority 1 Services” category on the Form 470 Must continue to distinguish between Telecom/Internet on the Form 471 If you select the wrong category on the 471, PIA will not deny, but will reach out to you and ask you to change
39. E-rate ProcessRequesting Services Applicants may set some eligible services requirements May require service providers to provide services that are compatible with one kind of system over another Cannot list specific make and model of services sought without also allowing equivalent products and/or services to be bid
40. Bid Equivalent Products 470s/RFPs cannot be manufacturer-specific known as ‘Queen of Peace Decision’ Must use the words “or equivalent” or “or compatible”. For example: NOT OK: ‘Cisco 3750 Switch’ OK: Cisco 3750 Switch or equivalent Must evaluate “equivalent” bids received In bid evaluation, may consider other factors, such as the amount of staff training required to support alternate manufacturer equipment Add Language for “Most Cost Effective Option”
41. Give yourself options & latitude Securing 50 MB Circuit, could include Ex. Options for up to 100 MB Encourage Vendor to submit the most cost effective optionsex. Up to 75 MB OR the most cost effective option available.
42. E-rate ProcessRequesting Service Competitive Bidding Requirements Noone other than the applicant or an authorized representative of the applicant should prepare, sign or submit the FCC Form 470 or certification The Form 470 must describe the desired products and services with sufficient specificity to enable interested parties to submit bid responses
43. New RFP Definition At the USAC training this year, it was stressed that if an applicant posts a 470 and then provides additional written instructions or information to bidders, this would constitute an RFP for E-rate purposes and therefore the box indicating you have an RFP should be used on the 470 Providing building addresses is ok Answering written questions from vendors is ok
44. E-rate ProcessRequesting Services Competitive Bidding Process All potential bidders must have access to your FCC Form 470 or RFP Applicants must ensure that the competitive bidding process is open and fair You must keep all incoming bids/correspondence with bidders and prepare to evaluate bids equally You must evaluate the incoming bids fairly and equally Encourage bidders to submit their most cost effective solutions by providing options. Establish a separate e-mail account for vendor questions—channel correspondence & list on 470.
45. E-rate ProcessBid Evaluation Matrix Requesting Services Sample Bid Evaluations: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/samples/samples-checklist-vendor-selection-templates.pdf http://www.e-ratecentral.com/applicationTips/bidAssessment/CompetitiveBidResponseDocumentation.asp
46. Erate ProcessCompetitive Bidding Examples of Rules Violations A service provider representative is listed as the FCC Form 470 contact person and that service provider is allowed to participate in the competitive bidding process The FCC Form 470 does not describe the desired products and services with sufficient specificity to enable interested parties to submit bid responses
47. Erate ProcessIssuing an RFP/Competitive Bidding After the 28 day waiting period closes, on the 29th day you can: Evaluate bids received Choose your service provider (s) Sign a contract (if applicable) Submit an FCC Form 471
48. E-rate ProcessRequesting Services Retain all vendor selection documentation for at least 5 years from the last date to receive service Winning and losing bids, correspondences, memos, bid evaluation documents, etc. Service Providers are required to offer applicants their services at the lowest corresponding prices charged to other similarly situated customers throughout their geographic service area Ensures schools in the Erate program are not charged more for the same services because of their participation
49. Erate ProcessCompetitive Bidding Examples of Rule Violations The applicant has a relationship with a service provider that would unfairly influence the outcome of a competition or furnish the service provider with ‘inside’ information Someone other than the applicant or an authorized representative of the applicant prepares, signs, or submits the FCC Form 470 and certification
50. Erate ProcessOrdering Services FCC Form 471 purpose Identify the service providers and eligible services you have chosen Identifies the eligible schools that will receive services Calculates how much support you seek for the year Includes your discount calculation information Certifies your compliance with program rules
51. New 471 Coming, Too New 471 will be available when window opens in January Biggest Block 2 removed in lieu of other questions in Block 5 More info will follow!
52. Erate ProcessBegin Receiving Services FCC Form 486 Purpose Notifies USAC that your eligible services have started or been delivered and invoices for those services can be processed and paid Certify compliance with Technology Plan requirements (if applicable) Certify compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act MUST be filed within 120 days of Service Start date or FCDL issue date
53. Erate ProcessInvoicing Requirements before invoicing USAC: Applicants and service providers receive a FCDL from USAC for the services being invoiced Applicants must file an FCC Form 486 and receive an FCC 486 notification letter Service providers must file an FCC Form 473 (Service Provider Certification) each funding year
54. Erate ProcessInvoicing 2 Methods of Invoicing: Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form 472 filed by applicant after services have been paid in full (refund method) Service Provider Invoice (SPI) Form 474 is filed by the service provider after the applicant has been billed for the non-discount portion of eligible vendors (discount method) Note Applications can choose their method of invoicing; service providers cannot force applicants to use a particular method
55. Do you have $ on the table for FY 2012? List by district as of Oct 22, 2013 posted online at: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2794 Missing Invoice = Completing homework & not turning it in .
56. Erate ProcessApplication Deadlines Form 470 Posted at least 28 days before the filing of the Form 471, keeping in mind the Form 471 application filing window has specific opening and closing dates Form 471 Received or postmarked no later than 11:59 pm EST on the day of the close of the Form 471 filing window Form 486 Received or postmarked no later than 120 days after the Service Start Date OR the date of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter, whichever is later. Form 472 BEAR (Unless Service Provider Discounts) Invoice the SLD no later than 120 days after the last date to receive service or the date on the Form 486 Notification Letter, whichever is later. Can file an extension if you miss the date. Automatic extension for FY2012. Requires Service Provider signature.
57. Erate ProcessDocument Retention: Retain as you go! All applicants and service providers are required to retain receipt and delivery recordsrelating to the technology plans, pre-bidding, bidding, contracts, application process, invoices, provision of services, and other matters relating to the administration of universal service for a period of at least five years from the last date of service. Technology Plan (drafted by 470 Posting- approvedby SSD) Technology Plan Approval Letter RFPs or similar documents All bid responses and correspondence Bid evaluation (scoring rubric) Contracts, service agreements, addendums, etc. Eligibility (school charter, accreditation) Consortium LOA Discount (NSLP) Item 21 attachment(s) Budget CIPA compliance documents Purchase requisitions, Pos, packing slips, customer bills Delivery and installation records Maintenance logs Inventory records Payments (cancelled checks, credit card receipts, etc.)
58. FY 2013 (Year 16) Details For services rendered 7/1/2013 - 6/30/2014 FY 2013 is PINK Priority 1 FCDL’s: USAC very behind other years File the 486 after FCDL arrives Request discounted bills from vendors, if desired Watch KS E-rate Listserve closely Is your Form 486 due? Check the list (as of 10/22/13): http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2794 Haven’t been funded? E-mail the USAC Ombudsman ombudsman@usac.org Include your BEN and 471 #
59. FY 2014 (Year 17) Details For services rendered 7/1/2014 - 6/30/2015 FY 2014 is BLUE 471 application window will likely open on or about January 8 and will close on or around March 18 Form 470’s being accepted now! Don’t wait until Jan to file, especially if you need to take contracts to your board File by Thanksgiving!
60. Avoiding Pitfalls Incomplete PIA responses Missing or incomplete Item 21 attachments Ignoring USAC letters Poor invoicing practices Inadequate document retention Not managing your E-rate process Submitting paper forms containing errors Missing deadlines Not following competitive bidding rules Not communicating with service providers after the competitive bidding process Mixed bucket funding requests Incorrect discount calculations Additional Info: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/SL/training/2013/Avoid-the-Dirty-Dozen-Mistakes.ppt
61. Gifts and Donations Gifting Limits (annual): $20/event; $50 annual Prizes at Conferences and Training Raffle tickets, prizes, or door prizes that have a retail value of over $20 violate the gift rules unless the event is open to the public. “Open to the public” means the event is free of charge and that members of the public at large typically attend such a gathering. Free Community 4th of July celebrationcould qualify. State District IT Directors meeting would not qualify.
62. Gifts and Donations Conferences – Impermissible Actions Training or conference regarding one or a few vendors services would not meet the definition of a Widely Attended Event even if many people attended. Travel expenses, lodging, meals, and entertainment associated with the event would be considered gifts and therefore violations. Free attendance when it would otherwise cost to attend is also a violation. Meals at a Widely Attended Gatherings not provided to all attendees would be subject to gift limits.
63. Many FCC forms and requests are subject to deadlines. Missing a deadline can have negative consequences, including: A FCC Form 471 submitted after the close of the filing window will not be considered for funding. A FCC Form 486 submitted after the deadline will have its service start date adjusted to the date 120 days before receipt or postmark of the form. Invoices for services delivered before the adjusted service start date will not be paid. An appeal submitted after the 60-day deadline will be dismissed. An invoice submitted after the invoice deadline will be rejected. To resubmit, an invoice deadline extension request must first be submitted to USAC and approved. Ministerial or clerical error corrections submitted after the FCDL is issued will not be made by PIA. PIA questions that are not answered result in a decision based on the information at hand, which may lead to a reduction or a denial. Missing deadlines Avoiding Pitfalls
64. USAC must be invoiced – either through the applicant FCC Form 472 (BEAR Form) or service provider FCC Form 474 (SPI Form) – for discounts on services actually delivered and installed. Delays or denials can occur if: Invoices are filed after the invoicing deadline. Invoice-related forms are not filed first (FCC Form 486!) Invoice entries are incomplete or inconsistent. If the invoice undergoes review, provide requested documentation! Show me the $: Avoid Poor Invoicing Practices Avoiding Pitfalls: Closing the Loop
65. Plan Ahead Schedule time to complete/file forms—and include upcoming deadlines on your calendar. Subscribe to the E-rate Listserv & USAC Newsbrief! File forms early. Invoice to collect the funding as soon as the FY ends! Identify a back-up, just in case. File everything, keep all documentation. Communicate with your Service Provider. Managing Your E-rate Program Process Avoiding Pitfalls
66. Managing the Process E-rate Binder: For Each Year USAC Binder Divider Labels http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/samples/samples-checklist-E-Rate-binder-dividers.pdf USAC Binder Table of Contentshttp://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/samples/samples-checklist-E-Rate-table-contents.pdf USAC Process Flow Chart http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/handouts/application-process-flow-chart.pdf USAC Terms & Acronyms: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/handouts/SL-Glossary-of-Terms.pdf USAC issued paperwork are color coded by Year FY 2013 is PINK FY 2014 is BLUE USAC Search Tools to check Forms Status: http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/default.aspx
67. Managing the Process We’ll help you along the way: Do you have funds from FY2012 yet to claim? Do you need to file a form 486 for FY 2013? http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=2794
68. Education Service Center E-rate Contacts Denise Grasso, Greenbush denise.grasso@greenbush.org Brad Stefanoni, Greenbush brad.stefanoni@greenbush.org Tori Bohannon, SCKESC tbohannon@sckesc.org Tom Barnes, SWPRSC tom.barnes@swplains.org Gina Tyler, SWPRSC gina.tyler@swplains.org Deb Steward, Smoky Hill Hays dsteward@smokyhill.org Tamera Burke, Smoky Hill Salina TBurke@smokyhill.org Ron Henley, ESSDACK ronh@essdack.org
69. Resources www.usac.org/sl www.ksde.org/takeErate resources! Melinda Stanley, KSDE mstanley@ksde.org785-296-1204 KS E-rate Hotline: 1-866-372-8302 (thru 6/30/14)
70. Questions?