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*** Note that the below information only applies to entities that filed a Form 471 for FY2016. If you only participate in E-Rate as a member of the Networkmaine Consortium and do not file for any additional E-Rate funding, then you do not need to complete this step. ***



In order to request E-Rate reimbursements for FY2016 funding commitments, you will first need to file a Form 486.

• You must do this for every Funding Request Number (FRN) on every Form 471 for which you receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL). Remember that FCDLs will be located within your EPC portal.
• You may either file a Form 486 for each FRN as you receive funding commitments or list several FRNs on a single Form 486.

Be aware that the Form 486 for each FRN has a distinct deadline: 120 days after the date of the FCDL or the start of services (whichever is later).


Answers to some frequently asked questions about the filing of the Form 486 are below.


When Can I File the Form 486?

After applicants receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) and services have started for that funding year, they file the Form 486 to notify USAC that services have started, to authorize the payment of invoices for those services, and to certify their CIPA compliance.

• You can file a Form 486 now for any FRNs for which you have already received a FCDL and the services have started.
• If you have not yet received a FCDL or the services have not started for a particular FRN, then you will need to wait until both of those events occur before you can include it on a Form 486.

When is the Form 486 Due?

The Form 486 is due within 120 days of the date of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) or the start of services (whichever is later), and so therefore the Form 486 deadline varies depending on the date that your FRN was funded.

• If you have an FCDL dated prior to July 1 and services started on July 1, the deadline to file a Form 486 is October 29, 2016.
• Otherwise, assuming services started July 1, the deadline is 120 days from the date of your FCDL.

Keep track of the deadline for each FRN because if your Form 486 is late, USAC will deduct a portion of your funding for each day that it is late.


What If I Haven't Received a Funding Commitment Decision Letter?

If you have not yet received a FCDL, you cannot submit a Form 486 for those FRNs still pending a funding decision. Once funded, you will then have 120 days from the date of the FCDL to submit a Form 486.

If some of your FRNs have been funded and others not, you will want to make sure you keep track of the deadlines for each and file the Form 486 accordingly.


Where Do I File the Form?

The Form 486 is filed in the EPC portal and is very easy to complete. The system will automatically present on the form any FRNs for which you have a funding commitment.

Instructions on how to file the form are attached and are also available at: http://networkmaine.net/erate/track/track.htm