e-ratestrategies.com

2010 P2 Funded at All Discount Levels!

E-Rate — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:00:35 +0000

For the first time since 1998, and only the second time in the history of the E-Rate program, P2 services will be funded at all discount levels for FY 2010. The FCC issued this order August 22nd in a special bulletin delivered by USAC today.

Applications for E-Rate funding can include two categories of services: P1 (telecommunitcations services and internet access) and P2 (internal connections and basic maintenance). Historically, P2 funding does not reach much bel0w 80%.

Applicants need take no action. USAC will contact the authorized person on the P2 FY 2010 applicaton.

Collect FY 2010 Funds Now

E-Rate — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 08:00:48 +0000

Three quarters of our clients’ funds for FY 2010 have already been processed. For recurring services not discounted through SPIs, BEAR Form preparation begins by gathering all monthly invoices paid between June 30, 2010 through July 1, 2011. Organizing this data and filing BEAR Forms now beats the E-Rate conjestion that occurs just before the deadline of October 28th, 2011 (P1) and January 28th, 2012 (P2). This makes quicker turnaround in receiving checks from service providers.

WAVE 1 for 50% of Our Clients

E-Rate — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 07:00:09 +0000

E-Rate Strategies is pleased to announce that over 50% of our clients had 2011 applications funded in WAVE 1. Keep in mind that once your district, school or library is funded there are several important documents that need to be in place before you file your Form 486 to accept any funding. For FY 2011, they are as follows:

1. Have your Technology Plan approval letter on file –> for 2011, Priority 2 applications only

2. Collect and file documents supporting CIPA compliance

3. Complete and file a Form 479

4. Submit a Form 486 to accept funding

Be sure to follow the guidelines for each form… and keep track of the deadlines for each step.

Summer Deferral Period

E-Rate — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:55:19 +0000

Many 2011 applications are now under review. For those districts whose applicant contact is unavailable during the summer months, there is a Summer Deferral option. The Summer Deferral period begins on the Friday before Memorial Day and ends on the Tuesday after Labor Day. If a PIA reviewer sends an inquiry to an applicant and does not receive a response, the reviewer will put the application into Summer Deferral. After Labor Day, the review process for those applications will be re-initiated. Contact us if your staff will be unavailable this summer. We can see that the review process is completed over the summer – resulting in an earlier funding commitment for your library or district.

Springtime…is Review time

E-Rate — Tue, 10 May 2011 07:00:02 +0000

Did you file your application during the recent Filing Window? If so, your 2011 application may already be in review. Be sure to respond quickly to PIA reviewers who request additional information – or contact us. We can handle the entire review process for your district.

Special Bulletin

E-Rate — Fri, 06 May 2011 07:00:07 +0000

USAC has established May 17^TH as the final date for submission of all Item 21 attachments and Form 471 certifications for 2011. Applications and individual FRNs will be considered “out-of-window” if these ancillary documents are not submitted on, or before, this deadline.

For additional information regarding this deadline, and instruction for filing Item 21 Attachments read USAC’s recent News Brief devoted to this topic.

Avoid Signing Contracts Now

E-Rate — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 07:00:26 +0000

The Filing Window for 2011 has closed. One of our “best practices” tips is to communicate with everyone in your organization who could sign a contract after the Window closes. Not everyone in your district, library or school is aware of E-Rate rules and regulations. Let everyone know that if they sign a contract out-of-window… your organization may not be eligible for E-Rate funding for the duration of that contract.

Filing Window is Closing

E-Rate — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:00:06 +0000

March 24^this the final day of the 2011 Filing Window! You must wait 28 days after posting a Form 470… before you take the final step and post a Form 471. Make sure your Forms 470 & 471 has been both submitted by the close of the Window. Include Item 21 attachments with all Forms 470. In order to be considered for funding all forms MUST be certified by 11:59 pm E.S.T.

Item 21 Attachments

E-Rate — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 07:00:22 +0000

A new rule applies to the 2011 Funding Year…and will apply going forward. Applicants must submit Item 21 Attachments before the Filing Window closes March 24th. We recommend you keep all documents used to create a Form 471. Those records can be useful when your district is called upon to substantiate a request during PIA review.

Signing Contracts with Vendors

E-Rate — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 07:00:59 +0000

Contract tip:
Once you have selected a Service Provider for recurring monthly services – you may be signing a contract. Ask your Service Provider if your contract can be written such that the “Contract Execution Date” is separate from the “Service Start” and “Contract Expiration” dates. The Contract Execution Date should be the date the contract is actually signed (in Window). If your services will cover the entire funding year, we recommend that the contract Service Start Date be July 1^st, with a Contract Expiration Date of June 30^th of the appropriate year.