Form 471 Certification Deadline:
Those who have not yet submitted their certifications must do so on or before May 26th, 2015. USAC sent warning letters three weeks ago to applicants who had filed timely the Form 471s online for the FY 2015, but according to USAC records, had not yet certified those applications. Check the current Application Status on the SLD website.
Form 486 Certifications:
Applicants who will be filing the Form 486 no longer need to certify that they have an approved technology plan. This certification is not a requirement as of FY 2015. However, compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) remains a requirement. Applicants must certify that schools and libraries receiving discounts on Internet Access, Internal Connections, and/or Basic Maintenance services are enforcing a policy of Internet safety that includes measures to block or filter Internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions. As of FY 2012, the certification was expanded to include a requirement providing training to students about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking websites and in chat rooms, and cyber bullying awareness and response.
For consortia, the lead member is responsible for ensuring that necessary certifications are made and for responding to USAC inquiries on behalf of the consortium members. The consortium leader must collect from each consortium member a signed FCC Form 479, Certification by Administrative Authority to Billed Entity of Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, to establish that member’s status under CIPA. After all FCC Forms 479 have been collected, the consortium leader can complete the Form 486. The Form 479 is not required if the consortium requested funding only for telecommunications services. The consortium leader does not submit FCC Form 479s to USAC, but must retain them for its records for a period of ten years after the last day of service delivered for a particular year. This form may be requested during an audit or other review process.
USAC has updated its online Form 486 for FY 2015. A paper type-in version of the Form 486 is available in the E-Rate Central Forms Rack.
USAC Fall Applicant Training:
USAC announced the dates and locations of its fall E-rate applicant workshops last week. As in recent years, there will be eight regional one-day training sessions beginning Friday, October 2nd in Washington, DC. Registration is now open and attendance is building quickly. The full training schedule with registration links is as follows:
USAC Spring Service Provider Training:
This year’s spring USAC E-rate training, designed primarily for service providers, will be held in Phoenix on Tuesday, June 2nd, and in Tampa on Tuesday, June 16th. Both sessions are fully subscribed, but USAC is accepting waiting list registrations.