1. What Are the “New” Basics?
Back to the New Basics
Schools and Libraries Division
Washington, DC • Orlando • Boston • New Orleans • Cleveland • San Francisco • Phoenix
September/October 2007

2. New FCC Direction Help applicants be successful Starts with FY 2006
Ability to correct mistakes
Differentiate between minor errors and fatal flaws that can lead to denial
Only FCC can waive rules; these are not covered by “error correction”

3. Ministerial & Clerical Errors
Correcting minor errors due to data entry
Applicants get opportunity to correct information once data entered by USAC
Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter
Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter
Make corrections to the letter you receive and return to USAC in timeframe specified in the letter to get corrections processed
Some corrections may require review; others are automatic.
Minimum Processing Standards (MPS) are incorporated here

4. M&C Errors Can fix many things but not:
Form 470
Can fix many things but not:
Posting for category of service
Item 7: Seeking multi-year or voluntary contract extensions
Change in contact info requires review
Form 471
Can fix most things on the form
Some fixes happen during PIA instead of through the RAL process

5. Additional contact from PIA
PIA will verify items with you more than before
At the end of the review, we will give you one more opportunity to fix modification and denial reasons
Applicants can split out PIA-detected services or entities into separate funding requests.

6. Paying Your Share
FCC recently clarified that applicants do not have to secure the funding for their share until they file the Form 486.
During PIA review, you may be asked for a letter indicating that you have reasonable expectation of getting the funds.
When you file your Form 486, you must show that you have sufficient funds to cover your share. If you do not, we will work with you to cancel FRNs to match the funds that you do have.

7. More from PIA
FCC clarified that the 30% Rule does not apply to entities, only services
But, we will work with you to determine the eligible portion of the services and will fund that part
Contract standards have been loosened to no longer require service provider signature
Still have to comply with your own procurement regulations
Still have to retain documentation for five years from the last date to receive service.

8. Time to Respond
FCC has standardized on 15 days to respond to requests for information from USAC
Applicants can always ask for an extension, but must be in writing
Special rules in place during summer and winter breaks
Further relief possible during disasters

9. Explain all issues for FRNs
Starting with FY 2007, SLD will identify all issues on each FRN
Previously, stopped at first denial
Now, see all modifications and denial reasons
Appeals will have to resolve all issues before funding can be approved

10. Deadline Reminders We will help you remember deadlines.
After filing Form 470, we will remind you to file your Form 471 (must be in window).
After filing Form 471 in the window, we remind you to file your Form 471 certification.
120 days after the SSD reported on the Form 471, we remind you to file your Form 486.
In all cases, you have 20 days from the letter date to take action.
If you waited until the last minute, our notifications may cross in the mail with your submission.

11. 2-in-5 Rule for IC
Allows you to only get Internal Connections 2 out of every 5 years, starting in FY 2005.
FY 2007 is the first year when you may not be eligible for IC based on this rule.
Applies at the school or library level
See 2-in-5 tool to see your specific status

12. More on 2-in-5
Schools and libraries use a year regardless of how much of what type of IC they received.
If you got IC, and didn’t use ANY money, you can get your year back.
If USAC paid an invoice for the IC FRN, you cannot get that year back.
Plan strategically!

13. Helping Applicants to Succeed (HATS)
We’re here to help!
No compliance check
Schools that have had difficulty getting funded are invited to participate
HATS team member sits with you to walk you through the E-rate process, identifying problem and suggesting solutions.

14. Rollover Money
FCC announced that it would “roll over” $650M from previous years into 2007
This is in addition to the $2.25B
“Rollover” can happen in the future, too

15. More Information to You
Weekly NewsBrief provides timely guidance written in plain language on a variety of topics.
Appeals decision include tip sheets to better explain the program rules that impacted your funding.
Site Visit and HATS teams leave behind Tip Sheets as well.

16. SLD Website Useful items on the SLD website (www.usac.org/sl)
Important announcements
Process Overview
Funding announcements
NewsBriefs
Weekly
Searchable

17. More website resources
Reference Area
“How to” guidance
Copies of letters
Searchable
Tools Section
Online Application section and Forms
What to expect on a site visit
What to expect in an audit
Submit a Question

18. Questions?