Supply Chain

When service providers log in to E-File, they will see this new supply chain certification included in the FCC Form 481 that they must affirm:

• Section 54.9: I certify under penalty of perjury that no universal service support has been or will be used to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by any company designated by the Federal Communications Commission as posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain since the effective date of the designations.

When service providers log in to E-File, they will see these two new supply chain certifications included in the FCC Form 473 that they must affirm:

• Section 54.9: I certify that no universal service support has been or will be used to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by any company designated by the Federal Communications Commission as posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain since the effective date of the designations.
• Section 54.10: I certify that no Federal subsidy made available through a program administered by the Commission that provides funds to be used for the capital expenditures necessary for the provision of advanced communications services has been or will be used to purchase, rent, lease, or otherwise obtain, any covered communications equipment or service, or maintain any covered communications equipment or service previously purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained, as required by 47 C.F.R. § 54.10.

The first certification affirms compliance with the Section 54.9 prohibition on USF support to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, operate, manage, or otherwise support equipment or services produced or provided by the covered companies. The second certification affirms compliance with Section 54.10, which prohibits the use of any federal subsidies on any communications equipment and services on the Covered List.

FY2020 Applicants: If you requested services or equipment provided or that contain components of products produced by any of the above-named companies, or any of their parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries in FY2020, you cannot invoice for these funds. Instead, you should immediately request a service substitution prior to invoicing in order to ensure complete program compliance.

FY2021 Applicants: As you proceed with competitive bidding and submitting funding requests forms, please ensure you are not requesting funding for services or equipment from any of the above-named companies or any of their parents, affiliates and subsidiaries. If you have already submitted your funding requests, and it includes services or equipment from these companies or any of their parents, affiliates and subsidiaries, please submit a service substitution via a RAL request in EPC.

After service providers file the FCC Form 473 (with the certifications) a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN), “2021” will show up in the Service Provider Download Tool and the SPIN Search Tool on the Tools page on the USAC website. As a reminder, service providers who have more than one SPIN must file a separate form for each SPIN.

Service providers who have already filed their SPAC Forms for FY2020 that did not include the certifications will not be required to recertify the form, but these certifications will now be required for service providers who file an FY2020 SPAC Form for the first time. USAC updated the FCC Form 473 User Guide to reflect these changes.

When service providers log in to My Portal beginning April 30, 2021, they will see these two new supply chain certifications included in the FCC Form 463 and Telecom Invoice that they must affirm:

• Section 54.9: I certify under penalty of perjury that no universal service support has been or will be used to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, or otherwise support any equipment or services produced or provided by any company designated by the Federal Communications Commission as posing a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain since the effective date of the designations.
• Section 54.10: I certify under penalty of perjury that no Federal subsidy made available through a program administered by the Commission that provides funds to be used for the capital expenditures necessary for the provision of advanced communications services has been or will be used to purchase, rent, lease, or otherwise obtain, any covered communications equipment or service, or maintain any covered communications equipment or service previously purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained, as required by 47 C.F.R. § 54.10.

The first certification affirms compliance with the Section 54.9 prohibition on USF support to purchase, obtain, maintain, improve, modify, operate, manage, or otherwise support equipment or services produced or provided by the covered companies. The second certification affirms compliance with Section 54.10, which prohibits the use of any federal subsidies on any communications equipment and services on the Covered List.

For more information about reallocating approved funding to eligible sites and eligible services, please visit the Site and Service Substitution webpage.