E-Rate applicants cannot receive any E-Rate funding without (1) a Form 470 to launch the competitive bidding process followed by (2) a Form 471 requesting the funds filed at least 28 days later. For most, this means filing a Form 470 every year. The only time this is not the case is when a Form 470 from an earlier year resulted in a signed multi-year contract that includes the upcoming funding year. Services to be rendered in a one year contracted, month to month, or tariff arrangement require a new Form 470 for each year you would like to receive E-Rate. Funding for eligible equipment also requires a new Form 470 each time you want to purchase items using your Category 2 E-Rate budget. You may be looking to receive E-Rate funds in FY2017 for both products and services that DO require a new Form 470 and services that DO NOT require a new form. Pay careful attention to what you have done and not done, what is multi-year and what is not. *There must be an establishing Form 470 for every Funding Request on every Form 471 that you file. * If you have not already done so, file your FY2017 Form 470(s) for desired products and services as soon as possible. - The last day you can file a Form 470 and still be able to file an FY2017 Form 471 before the filing window closes is April 13. Do not wait until the last minute! - If you have successfully filed a Form 470 and the 28 day competitive bidding waiting period has concluded, you may file your FY2017 Form 471 at any time before the window closes. *Upcoming E-Rate Deadlines* *FY2017 Form 470 Deadline: *April 13, 2017 *FY2017 Form 471 Application Filing Window: *February 27, 2017 - May 11, 2017 _____________________________________________ 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