USAC has announced that the FY2016 Form 471 filing window for all
applicants has been extended to May 26, 2016. Consortia and libraries have
been given a further extension. See the message below from USAC for the
full announcement.
If you can file your Form 471 now - if there are no EPC system limitations
or profile inaccuracies preventing you from doing so - you should proceed
as normal and submit your form as soon as possible. Delaying simply because
you have been granted more time will only succeed in delaying your funding
commitment.
If there are issues preventing you from filing your Form 471, the extension
will give you time to work those out. Again, though, the sooner you can
file your form, the better.
Feel free to get in touch with any questions.
_____________________________________________
*Anne Perloff*
Maine State E-Rate Coordinator for Schools
Networkmaine ... a unit of the University of Maine System
Web: www.networkmaine.net/erate/
Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: 207-561-3584
Fax: 207-561-3531
Mail:
Networkmaine
5752 Neville Hall Rm 255
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: SL News Brief <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, Apr 15, 2016 at 4:33 PM
Subject: {Disarmed} SPECIAL EDITION - Window Extension Notice For FY2016
To: [log in to unmask]
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*April 15, 2016*
*E-rate Application Window Extension Notice for FY2016*
I would like to once again acknowledge the challenges many applicants have
faced in completing their E-rate applications (FCC Form 471) for the
upcoming funding year. We recognize the delays applicants have encountered
due to unexpected complications with the implementation of USAC’s new IT
system. We appreciate the assistance E-rate applicants have provided by
alerting us to these issues and helping us to resolve them. As a result of
these challenges, USAC and the FCC have received a number of requests for
an extension of the application window.
*Based on applicant and other stakeholder input, we are providing a
two-part extension for E-rate applicants.* We believe this approach will
provide enough time for us to assist all filers in addressing their
specific issues and complete the application process. *First, we are
extending the window for all applicants by four weeks with a new closing
date of May 26, 2016.* With the recent deployment of bulk upload templates
and additional updates and solutions coming over the next few weeks, we
believe that the IT systems will be sufficiently stable to allow most
applicants, and all schools and school districts, sufficient time to file
their applications by May 26.
Over the next few weeks, we expect to roll out additional updates to the
application. An explanation of the additional changes we expect to make to
the application can be found at: *MailScanner has detected a possible fraud
attempt from "lists.universalservice.org" claiming to be*
http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/tools/epc/EPC-Notes.pdf
<http://lists.universalservice.org/t/2319836/1512341/2364/5/>.
With this extension, applicants should have sufficient time to file their
applications in a fully functioning system, albeit one that still falls far
short of our goals for the future application experience. Throughout the
filing period, we will continue to support all applicants to make sure they
are able to file successfully.
*Second, when the window closes on May 26, we will open a second filing
window for consortia and libraries, which will close on July 21, 2016.* We
recognize that consortia and libraries are unable to complete their
applications until their member/related school district(s) finalize their
discount rates in the system. Based on conversations we have had with these
communities, we believe most such filers will require no more than two to
three weeks to complete their applications once their related entity data
is complete. However, some larger consortia may need considerably more
time. While we expect to receive the majority of applications for this
community sooner, the second filing window will ensure these consortia have
the time they need to complete their applications by July 21.
*The opening of the second window will not delay application review or
funding decisions for applications submitted during the first window.* We
will begin application review next week, and will estimate demand as soon
as the first window closes. Libraries and consortia will enter the review
pool as soon as their applications are submitted. Our analysis shows that
there should be sufficient funding for all plausible demand scenarios for
FY2016, so filers should not be worried about losing funding as a result of
this second window.
Moving forward, we will continue to provide updates on our IT systems. We
expect that the improvements we plan, including further improvements to the
bulk upload feature and resolution of other issues (detailed here: *MailScanner
has detected a possible fraud attempt from "lists.universalservice.org"
claiming to be*
http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/pdf/tools/epc/EPC-Notes.pdf
<http://lists.universalservice.org/t/2319836/1512341/2364/6/>) will be
completed within the next few weeks.
In addition to extending the application filing deadlines, we have greatly
ramped up our customer service capabilities. Please do not hesitate to
reach out to the Client Services Bureau at 1 (888) 203-8100, should you
need assistance with an application.
Please let us know if you have questions.
Sincerely,
Mel Blackwell
Vice President of the Schools & Libraries Program
Universal Service Administrative Company
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