1. Service Providers & The Healthcare Connect Fund
SPIN Numbers, RFP’s & Contracting

2. Agenda Rural Health Care Program Healthcare Connect Fund SPIN Number
RFP’s
Contracting
Timeline
Upcoming Webinars

3. Rural Health Care Program: Healthcare Connect Fund
FCC program since 2008
Healthcare Connect Fund
$581 million fund adjusted annually for inflation
Provides up to 65% discount on eligible broadband expenses and network equipment to not-for-profit health care entities
Funding calendar July 1 – June 30

4. SPIN Number / Form 498
Form 498
formally known as SPIN (Service Provider ID Number)
Required to participate in the Rural Health Care Program
Federal funds disbursed directly to approved vendors

5. Requests for Proposals (RFP’s)
Posted on the USAC website beginning Jan 2019 *
Minimum 28 calendar day posting period to follow the FCC’s fair and open bidding policies
FAQ’s and Links can be found at
* Based of the previous USAC timeline. As of Dec 1, 2018 the new dates had not been announced.

6.
Search HCP # (CTN)
Search Colorado
Note:
Funding Year
2019
Category of Expense
Can vary depending on request
Posting Start Date
Start of the USAC 28 day ‘quiet period’
All communication must be through CTN
ACSD – Allowable contract select date
Earliest day to enter a contract
29th day from posting date
Details
Posted documents such as the RFP and Form 461

7. Request for Proposal Details
Click the Details link
Note:
Consortium information
Form 461
Request for Proposal .pdf
Network Plan

8. Form 461

9. RFP Document

10. RFP Details

11. Contact Instructions

12. Evaluation Criteria

13. Service Request
HCP Name
HCP #
HCP Address

14. Healthcare Connect Fund Timeline
Inventory Review
Contracted members send inventory to CTN to review and prepare for RFP
Contracting
RFP evaluations and vendor contracting
USAC FY Begins
Start of USAC funding
Aug.
Sep.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
Jun.
Jul.
Contracting with CTN
Eligible entities contract with CTN and sign letter of agency
RFP Postings
CTN posts RFP’s on behalf of members for eligible services – 28 posting period
Funding Requests
CTN files funding requests for contracted services through RFP process
2008 – 2010 Rural Healthcare Pilot Program
Collaborated with CBHC in 2008 on two independent grants awarded by the FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program to define general principles applicable to the future structure = $9.7M (CBHC $5.1M and CHA 4.6M) this became fully functional in 2012.
Construction of the network meant that rural communities in Colorado received fiber and copper builds, based on their connection.
In the pilot program, CTN connected rural hospitals, clinics and urban hospitals for a total of 98 locations.
Quest Communications served as service provider, who merged with CenturyLink, today the network is overseen by CenturyLink.

15. Questions & Upcoming Webinars
February 5, 2019 | 11:00 – 12:00 MST
Form 463 – USAC Invoicing
Detailed instruction on the USAC billing process.
Who should attend?
Account Managers
Those that will be approving USAC disbursement (Form 463)
Those crediting health care provider accounts
More Questions?
Contact: