The message below is applicable to all interested in filing for E-Rate for any FY2018 eligible services not provided by Networkmaine. 

E-Rate applicants cannot receive any E-Rate funding without (1) a Form 470 to launch the competitive bidding process for an eligible product or service followed by (2) a Form 471 filed no earlier than 28 days later to request E-Rate discounts to offset a portion of the costs for that product or service.

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 in its entirety.

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 FY2018 for both products and services that DO require a new Form 470 and services that DO NOT require a new Form 470. 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 FY2018 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 FY2018 Form 471 before the filing window closes is February 22. 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 FY2018 Form 471 at any time before the window closes.