For all those who wish to apply for E-Rate on their own for Funding Year 2020 (meaning filing for E-Rate for products and services other than those that Networkmaine provides its members):
The FY2020 Form 471 is now available in EPC. Does this apply to me?- Do you want to request E-Rate for any FY2020 (July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021) eligible products and services not provided by Networkmaine? If so, then YES!
- Do you want to take advantage of the unexpected FY2020 Category 2 budget multiplier increase ($195.63 per student with an $11,998.43 funding floor for schools with 62 or fewer students)? If so, then YES! Remember to subtract out any committed C2 funding since FY2015 (pre-discount) to calculate your total C2 budget for FY2020.
Can I file an FY2020 Form 471 now if I have an ongoing multi-year contract?
Question: Is this Form 471 a funding request that is part of an ongoing multi-year contract signed as a result of a Form 470 competitively bid in a prior funding year?
- If yes, then YES! No new Form 470 is required for these services as long as the existing E-Rate vetted contract runs at least through June 30, 2021. You can log into EPC now and file your Form 471.
- If no (you have a contract but there was never a Form 470 posted for it), then NO! All Form 471 funding requests must be for products and services that were included on a Form 470 and competitively bid according to E-Rate rules.
Can I file an FY2020 Form 471 now for new products and services that I want to purchase?
Question 1: Have you posted an FY2020 Form 470 yet?
- If no, then DO THAT FIRST! And file it soon! The last day to file an FY2020 Form 470 is February 26, 2020.
- If yes BUT the 28 day competitive bidding waiting period has NOT elapsed (28 days from the date you posted a Form 470 or uploaded an RFP or an RFP amendment, whichever is later), then SIT TIGHT! Wait the 28 days before filing your FY2020 Form 471.
- If yes AND if the 28 day competitive bidding waiting period HAS elapsed, then YES! You can log into EPC now and get the ball rolling.
Question 2: Are you filing for a contracted service?
- If yes, then enter your contract into the Contracts Module before beginning your Form 471. If your FY2020 Form 471 includes a contracted service, the form must refer to a contract that has been entered and saved in the Contracts Module.
Where can I get help?
Due to file size limitations on this listserv, I will be posting separate Category 1 and Category 2 step by step guides for filing a Form 471.
The Networkmaine E-Rate Resources website (
http://erate.networkmaine.net/) also has these guides as well as additional guides and guidance of various types.
Or call or email me with any questions.
Upcoming E-Rate Deadlines
FY2020 Form 470 Deadline: February 26, 2020
FY2020 Form 471 Application Filing Window: January 15, 2020 at 12:00 Noon EST – March 25, 2020 at 11:59 PM EDT