USACE-RateResources
Announcements

Announcements

January 8, 2025
Service Provider Selection and the FCC Form 471 E-Rate Question & Answer (Q&A) Session

On January 30, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), E-Rate subject matter experts will provide an overview of how to apply for program discounts on the FCC Form 471 for applicants. This webinar is open to all experience levels. Please review the pre-requisites PRIOR to the webinar:

Register Here

January 8, 2025
Competitive Bidding (FCC Form 470) E-Rate Question & Answer (Q&A) Session

On January 23, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST, E-Rate subject matter experts will walk you through competitive bidding and the FCC Form 470 with a focus on the FCC Form Guiding Statements Document. This webinar is open to all experience levels. Please review the pre-requisites PRIOR to the webinar:

Register Here

January 8, 2025
Eligible Services E-Rate Question & Answer (Q&A) Session

On January 16, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), E-Rate subject matter experts will provide an overview of FY2025 E-Rate eligible services for applicants and service providers. This webinar is open to all experience levels. Please review the pre-requisites PRIOR to the webinar:

Register Here

December 18, 2024
FY2023 Invoicing Reminders

There are two important invoice deadlines for FY2023 recurring and non-recurring services coming up early in 2025. We are reminding you now to take the necessary steps to file and certify your invoices (for non-recurring services) on or before these deadlines or request a one-time 120-day invoicing deadline extension (for recurring services).

The deadlines are generally:

  • January 28, 2025 for FY2023 non-recurring services. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices or ask for an invoice deadline extension by this date.
  • February 25, 2025 for FY2023 recurring services, if the applicant or service provider requested and received an invoice deadline extension of the original October 28, 2024 invoice deadline. Applicants and service providers must certify their invoices by this date, as USAC cannot grant a second invoice deadline extension.

Applicants and service providers who have not completed the invoicing process for their FY2023 recurring services should gather the customer bills and other documents now that they will need to accurately invoice USAC.

Regardless of the invoicing mode, service providers must file their FCC Form 473 (Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) Forms) in EPC for FY2023 before any invoicing can occur. You can verify this by locating the record for your service provider in the E-Rate Service Provider Download tool. The funding years for which the service provider has filed a SPAC Form are listed in the FCC Form 473 SPAC Filed column. See Module 2: File and FCC Form 473 in the EPC invoicing for Service Providers learning module.

If you are a service provider filing an FCC Form 474 (Service Provider Invoice (SPI) Form), you must have billed the applicant for its non-discount share. There is a presumption that your customer (the applicant) will pay your bill within 90 days.

If you are an applicant filing an FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form):

  • File and certify an FCC Form 498 if you have not already done so. You must have certified – and USAC must have reviewed and approved – an FCC Form 498. Be sure to follow up with the required documentation (canceled check, bank statement, or similar document) that verifies your bank account information. Call USAC at (888) 641-8722 and choose option 4 (contributors) if you have questions.
  • You must have paid the service provider in full for the cost of the services.
  • You must have filed an FCC Form 486 to notify USAC that services have started.
  • Make sure your service providers have completed their FCC Form 473 (Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) Forms) for FY2023 as noted above.

Here are some resources for additional assistance in filing these forms:

Applicants

Service Providers

December 18, 2024
FY2025 Eligible Services List Available

The FCC Wireline Communications Bureau (WCB) released the FY2025 Eligible Services List (ESL) (DA 24-1104) on October 25, 2024. You can review the FY2025 ESL on the Eligible Services List page to learn which services are eligible for E-Rate discounts for the upcoming funding year.

In the order, WCB revised the description of “wireless” service to read “Wireless (e.g., fixed wireless; microwave; mobile service for use on school buses; or mobile service for use with Wi-Fi hotspots)” and amended the explanation of “Wireless services and wireless Internet access” to note the eligibility of off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile wireless internet services. A new note was added that basic technical support, software upgrades, bug fixes, and security patches are eligible for school bus Wi-Fi network equipment.

The eligibility of off-campus wireless service on a school bus was clarified, as well as the requirement of cost allocation of certain off-campus use of E-Rate-funded services. WCB also clarified that the cost-effectiveness test for data plans and air cards applies only to on-campus use and noted that E-Rate’s eligibility rules for basic firewall services are unchanged for FY2025.

December 18, 2024
Customer Service Center Holiday Hours

The Customer Service Center (CSC) provides customer service across USAC programs with specialized agents trained to answer your E-Rate program questions. At the end of December, CSC will be reducing its open hours around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

CSC will be open during its customary hours through Tuesday, December 24 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET) as well as December 26 and December 31.

CSC, however, will be closed over the next two weeks on:

  • Wednesday, December 25, 2024 – CLOSED
  • Wednesday, January 1, 2025 – CLOSED

CSC will resume its customary hours starting at 8 a.m. ET on Thursday, January 2, 2025. 

December 18, 2024
Winter Deferral Period Starts December 20

Many E-Rate program participants are unavailable during the winter holiday season, and USAC recognizes that participants may need additional time to respond to requests for information. Winter deferral extends from the Friday before Christmas Day through the Friday following New Year’s Day.

During our annual winter deferral period – Friday, December 20, 2024 through Friday, January 3, 2025 – USAC will only continue reviews of forms and requests where documentation was received or where participants respond to information requests sent in the EPC.

If USAC does not receive a response during this period, the form or request will be placed in a deferred status until January 6, 2025. However, we will be reviewing applications during the winter deferral period, if we have answers to our questions. For those of you who can respond to our questions, please do so. This will allow us to continue reviewing applications and issue funding decisions more quickly.

December 18, 2024
Funding Year (FY) 2025 FCC Form 471 Application Filing Window Opens January 15, 2025

The Funding Year (FY) 2025 FCC Form 471 application filing window will open on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at noon ET and will close on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. In addition, the EPC Administrative Window will close, Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 is the last date that you can submit and certify an FCC Form 470 and still wait the required minimum 28-day period before submitting and certifying your FCC Form 471 by March 26, 2025, the last date of the FY2025 application filing window.

All applicants can now review their EPC profiles and make any additional updates for changes that occurred after USAC’s review of their FY2024 FCC Forms 471 (see Tip above). The EPC Administrative Window will close – and the applicant profiles will be locked – on January 9, 2025 before the FY2025 application filing window opens January 15, 2025. View the EPC Administrative Window webinar slides to learn more.

December 18, 2024
C2 Budget Management Guide Update

USAC updated the FY2021-FY2025 Category Two (C2) Budget Management Guide to include expanded information how to check your available C2 funding, determine if you have any expired C2 funding, and how to submit an FCC Form 500 to reduce expired or unused commitments and make that funding available for FY2025. The Category Two (C2) budget tool provides data on the FY2021-FY2025 C2 budget cycle if you want to view your C2 budget information. It is available on the Tools page along with a video on how to use the tool.

October 28, 2024
FCC Releases FY2025 Eligible Services List

The FCC has released the Eligible Services List (ESL) for Funding Year (FY) 2025 (DA-24-1104A1, released October 25, 2024). Appendix B contains the ESL.

October 17, 2024
E-Rate Systems (EPC, ECF, CBR) Outage October 25, 2024 due to System Maintenance:

The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF), and Cybersecurity Pilot Program (CBR) sites will be unavailable Friday, October 25 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. EST due to system upgrades. During this time, users will be unable to log in or access these systems. We apologize for any inconvenience.

October 11, 2024
FY 2025 Off-Premises Wi-Fi Hotspots Funding

Starting in Funding Year (FY) 2025, eligible schools and libraries can begin Wi-Fi hotspot lending programs for off-premises remote learning, using Wi-Fi hotspots and mobile wireless Internet services for students and library patrons. For more information, review the Off-Premises Wi-Fi Hotspots Overview, the Wi-Fi Hotspots FAQs, and webinar materials covering eligible services, Wi-Fi Hotspot budgets, and more.

October 11, 2024
New Administrative Window eLM

USAC posted the “How to Update Your E-Rate EPC Profile During the Administrative Window” e-learning module and interactive user guide on the USAC website to help you get started with your FY2025 admin window process. The Administrative Window allows applicants to make updates to their entity profile information in EPC in preparation for FCC Form 471 application filing window. The learning module walks you through the steps for updating user rights levels, EPC profile information for libraries and schools, how to bulk upload entity profile data, and how to request a C2 replacement budget.

October 11, 2024
FCC Releases Hurricane Milton Relief Order

On October 9, the FCC released Order DA 24-1059, waiving several E-Rate rules and deadlines, on a temporary basis, to assist participants and providers located in the areas affected by Hurricane Milton and its immediate aftermath (collectively, the Milton Weather Events). This order is also applicable to affected FCC programs’ participants and USF contributors in Lifeline, Emergency Connectivity Fund, Rural Health Care, and High Cost.

October 8, 2024
FCC Releases Hurricane Relief Order

On October 1, 2024, the FCC released Order DA 24-1025, waiving certain Lifeline, E-Rate, Emergency Connectivity Fund, Rural Health Care, and High Cost rules for those FCC programs’ participants and for USF contributors located in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

September 27, 2024
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance:

The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable on Thursday October, 10 from 7p.m. to 10 p.m. ET for system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.

September 27, 2024
FY2024 FCC Form 486 Deadline Reminder

Generally, October 28, 2024 is the deadline to file an FY2024 FCC Form 486 if your FCDL is dated on or before July 1, 2024 and your service start date is July 1, 2024. If these conditions apply to you, please submit and certify your FCC Form 486 on or before this deadline.

If your FCC Form 486 appears to be late, we will send you an FCC Form 486 Urgent Reminder Letter to remind you of the upcoming deadline. The service start date you reported on your FCC Form 471 is used to determine when to send the letter, so if your service start date has changed, your deadline may have changed as well.

This reminder letter is posted to your News feed in EPC and is emailed to the contact person on the FCC Form 471. These letters will start going out after October 28, 2024 for FY2024 commitments.

You have 15 days after the date of the reminder letter to submit and certify your FCC Form 486 without penalty. Again, if your service start date has changed, the service start date you enter on your certified FCC Form 486 will determine whether your filing is considered late.

Applicants whose services started after July 1, 2024, or whose FCDLs are dated after July 1, 2024 (including any that have not yet been issued), will have an FCC Form 486 deadline later than October 28. However, we encourage you to submit and certify your FCC Form 486 as soon as possible after services start for FY2024 and if you can accurately make all the certifications on the form.

September 27, 2024
Annual Renewal of SAM.gov Registration Required to Submit BEAR Forms

If you are an E-Rate applicant that submits the FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR)) form to invoice USAC and you registered for a SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), you must renew the SAM.gov registration annually on SAM.gov.

You may have obtained a UEI if you participated in the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) or if you updated an existing FCC Form 498 (Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and Contact Information Form) or submitted a new FCC Form 498 after May 12, 2023. 

This is particularly important if you have FY2023 recurring services Funding Request Numbers (FRNs) with an approaching October 28, 2024 invoice deadline date. If you have a UEI and it is not currently active, you will not be able to submit the BEAR form in EPC. 

You can check the status of your FCC Form 498 in the E-Rate Entity Search Tool. Enter your FCC Form 498 Number in the Entity Number filter and look in the FCC Form 498 Status column. 

If you have not recently changed your FCC Form 498 information, you likely don’t have a UEI, so no action is required at this time. 

Visit SAM.gov to check your UEI status and renew your entity if needed.

September 27, 2024
FY2023 Invoicing Filing Deadline for Recurring Services

October 28, 2024 is the deadline to file an invoice or to request an invoice deadline extension (IDE) for most Funding Year (FY) 2023 recurring services Funding Request Numbers (FRNs). This invoice filing deadline applies to both applicant and service provider invoices – the FCC Form 472 (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR Form)) and the FCC Form 474 (Service Provider Invoice (SPI) and (eSPI)), respectively.

How To Request an Invoice Filing Deadline Extension for FRNs From FY2016 and Forward
Both applicants and service providers can request an invoice filing deadline extension in EPC by following the steps below. Remember that there is no penalty for requesting an invoice filing deadline extension and not using it.

Applicants: 

  • On your invoicing landing page, click the link to the billed entity record (the name in the Welcome! link near the top of the page or the first entry under the My Entities section).
  • Select the Related Actions menu and choose Invoice Deadline Date Extension Request.

Service Providers:

  • From the Records tab at the top of any EPC page, click the Service Providers option.
  • Use the Search function to locate your service provider record.
  • Select the Related Actions menu and choose Invoice Deadline Date Extension Request.

You can use the E-Rate FRN Status Tool FY2016+ to find the invoicing filing deadline by searching for the FRN(s) and looking in the “Last Date to Invoice” column.

September 27, 2024
EPC Administrative Window Opens October 15, 2024 

The administrative window will open Tuesday, October 15, 2024 and will close shortly before the FY2025 application filing window opens in early 2025. After this time, applicant profiles will be locked, and you will not be able to make changes to your profile information.

Go to the EPC Administrative Window page for detailed information on updating entity profiles and join our October 24 Administrative Window webinar to learn more.

September 6, 2024
Fall Training – E-Rate Program Overview

On September 16, 2024 from 2:00-3:30 PM E.T., USAC will provide a high-level overview of the E-Rate application process from beginning to end and explain basic program concepts for applicants and service providers. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session. Register.

September 6, 2024
FY2025 Eligible Services List Comment Period

The FCC Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released a Public Notice (DA 24-743) on July 31 requesting comments on the proposed FY2025 eligible services list (ESL). WCB proposed revisions to the draft FY2025 ESL to reflect changes adopted by the FCC in the Wi-Fi Hotspot Report and Order (FCC 24-76) which was released on July 29, 2024, as well as some changes to the language related to eligibility of off-campus wireless service on school buses, cost allocation of off-campus use of E-Rate-funded services, and the cost-effectiveness test required for data plans and air cards. Comments were due on or before August 30 and reply comments on or before September 16, 2024. 

August 30, 2024
Requesting Service Delivery Deadline Extensions for FY2023 Non-Recurring Services (Other Than Special Construction) 

The deadline for delivery and installation of non-recurring services (e.g., installations, equipment purchases) is September 30 following the close of the funding year. For FY2023, the deadline for non-recurring services, other than special construction, is Monday, September 30, 2024.

This service delivery deadline (SDD) can be extended for up to one year under certain circumstances, through an extension request. In some cases, the extension will be automatically made based on the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) date or the revised FCDL (RFCDL) date.

Requesting extensions
Service providers who are (1) unable to meet their service delivery deadline for reasons beyond their control such as supply chain delays or are (2) unwilling to complete delivery and installation because USAC withheld invoice payments on the services for more than 60 days, can ask the affected applicants to request a one-year extension with USAC, which must be approved.

Applicants can request the one-year extension by completing and certifying an FCC Form 500 (Funding Commitment Adjustment Request Form) on or before September 30, 2024 for FY2023 non-recurring services. If your service delivery deadline for a Funding Request Number (FRN) is approved and the deadline extended to September 30, 2025, USAC will automatically extend the invoice deadline for that FRN to January 28, 2026. There is no need to submit an invoice deadline date (IDD) extension request for an extended FRN when submitting an SDD extension request. If you do submit an IDD extension request at the same time, it will count towards your one-time invoicing extension, and you will not be able to request a second IDD extension request in the future if you need it.

If, as a service provider, you are aware of the need to request an SDD extension, work with your customer (the applicant) to get the FCC Form 500 completed and certified no later than September 30, 2024.

Automatic extensions
If USAC issues an FY2023 FCDL on or after March 1, 2024, the SDD is automatically extended for one year to September 30, 2025. This also applies to RFCDLs issued on or after March 1, 2024, for one of the following:

  • Approval of an appeal for a funding request that originally denied or reduced funding,
  • Approval of a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) change, or
  • Approval of a service or equipment substitution.

The FCDL or RFCDL contains the extended SDD date when it is issued. You can also find the SDD by searching for the FRN using the E-Rate FRN Status Tool FY2016+.

August 30, 2024
Complete and Certify Any In-Process FY2024 FCC Forms 470 by September 18

Some applicants currently have uncertified FY2024 FCC Forms 470 within the EPC system. To prepare for the deployment of the FY2025 FCC Form 470 on September 19, USAC must delete uncertified FY2024 FCC Forms 470 the day before. Any applicant who wants to rely on an uncertified FY2024 FCC Form 470 that is currently in the EPC system should certify that form no later than September 18. The FY2024 FCC Form 470 will then be posted to USAC’s website and can then still be cited, for example, to open a competitive bidding process for FY2025.

August 30, 2024
Summer Deferral Period Ends September 6

Our summer deferral contact period is defined as the Friday before Memorial Day through the Friday after Labor Day. For 2024, the summer deferral contact period began May 24 and will end Friday, September 6. If participants are unable to respond during this period, the form or request is placed in a deferred status until the deferral period ends, at which time we will continue our regular review process. USAC will make additional attempts to contact applicants and will then continue the review with the information provided, which may result in a reduction or denial of funding.

August 19, 2024
Open Data Training: Creating Reports and Visualizations

On August 29, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. A follow-up to the August 27 Open Data Overview, this webinar will dive deeper into the tools and visualizations that are available. You will be taken through the steps to create your own custom reports and how to turn them into clear, comprehensible visuals. Register.

August 19, 2024
E-Rate Open Data Overview

On August 27, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. This webinar gives an overview of what Open Data is and how you can make it work for you. Register.

August 14, 2024
USAC Announces E-Rate 2024 Fall Training Schedule 

USAC has confirmed the E-Rate Fall 2024 Training dates for applicants and service providers that wish to learn more about the program and how to participate. The training sessions will once again be virtual, and registration for each session is now available. Click on the links below for each session to register for that specific training. These sessions are for E-Rate program participants of all levels of experience and will include opportunities to ask questions. 

E-Rate Program Overview September 5, 2:00 PM – 3:30PM EDT 

E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process September 19, 2:00PM – 3:00PM EDT 

E-Rate Eligible Services 101 September 24, 2:00PM – 3:00PM EDT 

Category Two Budgets October 17, 2:00PM – 3:00PM EDT 

EPC Administrative Window October 24, 2:00PM – 3:00PM EDT 

E-Rate Post Commitment Process October 31, 2:00PM – 3:00PM EDT 

E-Rate Invoicing November 4, 2:00PM – 3:00PM EDT 

August 2, 2024
FY2025 FCC Form 470 Resources Available

USAC posted the How to File an FCC Form 470 learning module and the FCC Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Reference Table FY2025 on the USAC website to help you get started with your FY2025 competitive bidding process. The learning module walks you through the steps for submitting Category One and Category Two bid requests for School Bus Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi Hotspots for Off-Premises Use equipment and services. The guiding statements document provides a table to help you determine which dropdown menus to select on the FCC Form 470 when requesting specific types of equipment and services.

July 25, 2024
Wi-Fi Hotspots Webinar

On August 15, 2024, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET., USAC will discuss the FCC’s report and order (FCC 24-76) that makes E-Rate support available for eligible schools and libraries for Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services that can be used off-premises including eligibility requirements, hotspots funding budgets and caps, and other requirements. Register.

July 22, 2024
Service Provider Webinar

This session will give service providers who are new to the E-Rate program an understanding of their role in the process of delivering E-Rate supported equipment and services to applicants. Register.

All announcements can be found in the Announcements Archive.

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