Now that the Form 471 Filing Window has been announced by USAC, in addition to updating your EPC profile within the Administrative Window, it is time to get serious about filing an FY2017 Form 470 to launch a competitive bidding process for desired products and services. *Deadline to file an FY2017 Form 470:* *April 13, 2017* *Do you need to file a Form 470?* Yes, if you want to receive E-Rate for the year July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018 beyond the services arranged for you by Networkmaine AND you are requesting reimbursements for month to month services OR you have an expiring contract OR you need to sign a new contract for existing or new services OR you want to purchase eligible products or equipment No, if you have an existing multi-year contract in place as a result of a competitive bidding process that includes ALL of FY2017 AND you already filed a Form 470 in a previous year “establishing” that contract *Where do you file the Form 470?* You must file the Form 470 by accessing the account in the EPC Portal for the Billed Entity that will negotiate with potential service providers for eligible products and services. Either the Account Administrator or another EPC user that has been given Full Permissions for the Form 470 can certify the form. In most cases, the account for the school district is the Billed Entity, unless your school is listed as an independent school in EPC. No paper forms will be accepted by USAC. *What happens after you file the Form 470?* You must wait 28 days after the Form 470 is posted or you issue any RFPs before you can complete your competitive bidding process, select a service provider, sign a contract, and submit a Form 471 within the Form 471 Filing Window. _____________________________________________ 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-*581*-3584 | *Note that my phone number has changed* Fax: 207-581-1604 Mail: Networkmaine 5752 Neville Hall, Rm 255 Orono, ME 04469-5752