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E-rate Glossary
Acronyms and Terms from USAC/SLD: http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/acronyms-term-list.aspx
1st Demand Letter - The 1st Demand Letter is the initial letter sent by USAC to recover funds from applicants or service providers who have committed Program rule violations. If no action is taken within 30 days the violator will go on “Red Light” status. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) 2nd Demand Letter - The 2nd Demand Letter is a follow-up letter to a 1st Demand Letter sent by USAC in an attempt to recover funds from applicants or service providers who have committed Program rule violations. If no action is taken within 60 days, the case will be forwarded to the FCC for further action. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) The 30% Rule – Only eligible products and services should be included in funding requests on the Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471). If services to be delivered include both eligible and ineligible components, applicants must subtract the ineligible costs using Item 23B and/or Item 23G of their Block 5 funding requests. USAC reviews all Form 471 requests to ensure that only eligible products and services are included. If an applicant includes ineligible products and services in a Block 5 funding request, the entire request may be jeopardized. If 30% or more of the dollar amount of the request in Form 471 Block 5 Item 23K is for ineligible services (including services for ineligible entities or uses), USAC will deny the entire Block 5 funding request, even if eligible components are part of the request. If less than 30% of the dollar amount of the request in Form 471 Block 5 Item 23K is for ineligible services, USAC will reduce the request by the cost of the ineligible components and the Funding Commitment Decision Letter will cite the ineligible services for which funds were not committed. If the request is reduced, applicants and service providers must ensure that USAC is not invoiced for the ineligible items. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Processing of Funding Requests Containing Ineligible Products and Services (The “30% Rule”)) Administrative Authority – The Administrative Authority for a school or library is the entity that must make the relevant certification for purposes of CIPA. For a school, the Administrative Authority may be the school, school district, school board, local educational agency, or other authority with responsibility for administration of the school. For a library, the Administrative Authority may be the library, library board, or other authority with responsibility for administration of the library. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 486 Instructions) Administrator’s Decision Letter – Approved appeals will no longer receive an Administrator's Decision Letter (ADL). The Revised FCDL will include "Appeal Approved" or similar comment. This will allow the applicants and service providers to act more quickly on positive commitments. Denied appeals will continue to receive the ADL and RFCDL. (USAC/SLD Web Site: USAC/SLD 2006 PowerPoint: "Program Enhancements") Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date (AVSCD) – The Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date is commonly referred to as Allowable Contract Date or ACD. The ACD is assigned with the posting of a Form 470. It’s the earliest date on which an applicant can sign a contract for contracted services or enter into an arrangement for tariffed (T) or month-to-month (MTM) services with a service provider. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Alternative Discount Mechanisms - Alternative discount mechanisms are used by schools that choose not to use National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation numbers to calculate E-Rate discounts for eligible products and services. These alternative discount mechanisms are based on – or do not exceed - the same measures of poverty established for the NSLP. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Ancillary Use – If a product or service includes ineligible functionality, then, in general, the proportionate cost of this functionality must be removed from funding requests through a cost allocation process. However, in certain limited cases, if any ineligible functionality is not significant and strictly ancillary to the principle uses of the product or service, the full product or service may be eligible for discounts. The following conditions are considered when evaluating whether ineligible functionality is ancillary: (1) a price for the ineligible component cannot be determined separately and independently from the price of the eligible components, and (2) the specific package remains the most cost-effective means of receiving the eligible services, without regard to the value of the ineligible functionality. In addition, the applicant may not be specifically seeking one or more of the ineligible components. Funding requests that include only a single price for components that contain both eligible and ineligible functionality, and fail to meet the requirements for Ancillary Use, are fully ineligible. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to utilize a cost allocation process to remove ineligible functionality whenever feasible. For further information, see Cost Allocation Guidelines for Products and Services. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Eligible Services List)
Appeal – An appeal is a request, filed by an aggrieved party, for reconsideration of a decision made by the Administrator [USAC/SLD]. An appeal cannot be filed until the Administrator has issued a decision letter. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: 2003 Train-the-Trainer “Appeals” PowerPoint) Application Review – Each application is reviewed to ensure that Universal Service Fund support is committed only for eligible products and services as well as eligible uses by eligible entities. USAC reviews all Services Ordered and Certification Forms (Forms 471) to verify the accuracy of discount percentages and ensure that support is committed only for eligible products and services. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Undergo Application Review)
Application review is conducted by Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) staff who are contractors located in New Jersey. They review the Form 471 and supporting documentation to ensure that only eligible entities are receiving services; that the services requested are eligible and are provided by eligible Service Providers to eligible facilities. It is possible that PIA staff may reach out to the applicant, the Service Provider or both in an effort to clarify information contained in the application or supporting documentation. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual – Chapter 6) Audits – An audit is a review of documentation and resources to ensure that documentation is being retained and resources are being used according to Program rules. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) USAC and FCC visit a sample of applicants to ensure services have been delivered in compliance with FCC rules. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries)
[Audits are done] to provide data regarding program rule compliance; to identify areas needing education and outreach; to clarify program rules that must be strengthened to prevent waste, fraud and abuse; to enforce accountability for program rule compliance; [and] to deter noncompliance. [Auditors need the following documents:] budget/financial statements; Technology Plan and approval letter; documentation of competitive bidding process; documentation of discount level claimed; copies of contracts and contract extensions; copies of service provider bills, cancelled checks, BEAR Forms, BEAR checks, and other supporting documentation; [and] asset inventories or registers. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: 2004 Train-the-Trainer “E-rate for Beginners” PowerPoint) Automated Search of Commitments – The Automated Search of Commitments (ASC) allows users to search the Schools and Libraries database for commitment information. [A user] can narrow down [their] results by entering certain criteria such as a particular state, applicant, city and so forth. Once [a user has] entered [their] search criteria, a report is created showing year, state, applicant name, services requested, address, city, committed amount, discount percentages, and wave funded (not available for Funding Year 1998). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Automated Search of Commitments) Basic Conduit Access to the Internet - “Basic conduit access” to the Internet is considered to include all the standard features typically provided by Internet Service Providers. This may include e-mail, address translation, protocol services, Web server space, caching services, and other features consistent with good business practices and competitive offerings, including maintenance, monitoring, and management of their own equipment. Additional costs for features that go beyond basic conduit access – such as filtering services, firewall services, content, and access to software – are not eligible. (Old USAC/SLD Reference Area: Eligible Services Framework) Basic Maintenance Services – Basic maintenance services are “necessary” if, but for the maintenance at issue, the connection would not function and serve its intended purpose with the degree of reliability ordinarily provided in the marketplace to entities receiving such services without E-rate discounts. See the Eligible Services List on the SLD web site for further information. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 470 Instructions) Basic Telephone Service – Basic telephone service is defined as wireline or wireless single line voice service (local, cellular/PCS, and/or long distance) and mandatory fees associated with such service (e.g., federal and state taxes and universal service fees). (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 470 Instructions)
BEAR (Form 472) Notification Letter - The BEAR (Form 472) Notification Letter is sent to the service provider and the applicant after the BEAR has been reviewed by USAC.
(USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) BEN - Billed Entity Number - The Billed Entity Number (BEN) is the unique number assigned by USAC to each billed entity – the entity that pays the service provider. See also Entity Number. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Beneficiaries – The Universal Service Administrative Company conducts audits of beneficiaries under the Schools & Libraries Program. Schools and Libraries "beneficiaries" can be recipients of service, applicants, or billed entities. They may assume more than one of these roles during the course of the application process. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Demonstrating Compliance with Program Rules) Billed Entity – A billed entity is the entity that pays the service provider for services delivered to eligible schools and libraries. (Old USAC/SLD Reference Area: Billed Entity Fact Sheet) A Billed Entity may be a school, school district, library (outlet/branch, system), or a consortium of those entities. A Billed Entity may also be a city, a state, or an entity created solely to participate in this universal service discount mechanism that actually pays the bills for the service to the service provider. The Billed Entity itself may or may not be eligible for discounts. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 486 Instructions) Billing Account Number – [A billing account number is] the account number that [an applicant’s] service provider has established with [an applicant] for billing purposes. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 471 Instructions) Block 4 Worksheet - Form 471 is divided into six blocks. In a Block 4 worksheet, the applicant lists the entities receiving service and establishes the appropriate discount level. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Block 5 - Form 471 is divided into six blocks. In a Block 5 funding request, the applicant provides details about services requested, including service provider, category of service, and cost. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Category of Service – Four service categories are funded: Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections Other than Basic Maintenance, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries)
Certified Technology Plan Approver - A (USAC-) certified technology plan approver is an organization that has been certified by USAC to approve technology plans. In general technology plans approved by a USAC-certified approver are acceptable for the E-Rate Program. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) – The [Children’s Internet Protection Act] (CIPA) was signed into law on December 21, 2000. To receive support for Internet access and internal connections services from the Universal Service Fund (USF), school and library authorities must certify that they 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. The relevant authority with responsibility for administration of the eligible school or library must certify the status of its compliance for the purpose of CIPA in order to receive USF support. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA))
CIPA – Internet Safety Policy – The Internet Safety Policy must address the following issues:
CIPA – Technology Protection Measure – A Technology Protection Measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. It must protect against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or – with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors – harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)) CIPA – Undertaken Action – An undertaken action is an action that can be documented and that moves the school or library toward compliance [with CIPA]. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA))
Client Service Bureau (CSB) – [The USAC/SLD] Client Service Bureau (CSB) is a helpline available to assist applicants and service providers. [Applicants and Service Providers] can reach the helpline using “Submit a Question” from [the USAC/SLD] website, toll free via fax at 1-888-276-8736 or toll free via phone at 1-888-203-8100. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Commitment Adjustment (COMAD) – During reviews of funding commitments - which can include Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) reviews, audits, appeal reviews, and other investigations (such as Whistleblower calls) - USAC may discover that certain funds were committed in error. In order to be sure that no funds are used in violation of program rules, USAC must then adjust those funding commitments. USAC refers to this process as "Commitment Adjustment" or COMAD. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Commitment Adjustment (COMAD)) Commitment Adjustment (COMAD) is the process by which a funding commitment is reduced when an error is discovered. Fund recovery is required if excess funds have already been disbursed. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Commitment Adjustment Letter - A Commitment Adjustment Letter (CAL) notifies both the applicant and the service provider of a COMAD. It contains a Funding Commitment Report which lists the FRNs affected by the COMAD. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Common Carrier – A common carrier is an organization either specifically recognized by a regulatory authority (such as a state public utility commission) to provide telecommunications services to all requesting parties, or an organization that holds itself out to provide such services generally to the public for a fee. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Competitive Bidding Process - The competitive bidding process occurs during the 28-day waiting period that begins with the posting of Form 470 and/or RFP. Service providers respond to applicants based on the products/services listed in the Form 470 and applicants review and evaluate those bids. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Consortium – A consortium is formed by a group of entities for administrative efficiency or to obtain bulk pricing and/or apply for E-Rate funding. The consortium may include eligible and ineligible entities. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Consultant - A consultant is a company or individual selected by the applicant to serve as signing authority, to respond to USAC questions, and/or to complete and submit applications on their behalf. A Letter of Agency (LOA) or consultant agreement must be in place before the consultant undertakes these activities on behalf of the applicant. A consultant cannot be a service provider. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Contract – In general, a contract is a binding agreement, enforceable by law, between two or more parties that creates an obligation to do, or not do, something. Contract definitions and requirements are contained in each state's or territory's contract law. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Contract Guidance)
Contract Award Date - The Contract Award Date (CAD) is the date the contract between the applicant and service provider is fully executed. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Contract Expiration Date - The Contract Expiration Date (CED) is the date the contract between the applicant and service provider ends. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Contributors – Some companies who register with USAC [Universal Service Administrative Company] for a SPIN [Service Provider Identification Number] are telecommunications companies who are also required to file a Form 499 and may be required to make contributions to the fund. Such companies are referred to as “contributors”. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 4) Corrective SPIN Change – A corrective SPIN change is a notification to USAC that the SPIN associated with a Funding Request Number (FRN) is not correct. This occurs when (1) either the applicant or USAC made a data entry error or (2) a change occurred that was not initiated by the applicant. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: SPIN Change Guidance) Cost Allocation – If a product or service contains both eligible and ineligible features, an applicant may use cost allocation to provide a fair delineation of the eligible and ineligible components so that partial funding can be provided. When no cost allocation is provided for funding requests that require cost allocation, USAC will contact the applicant to request such cost allocation. See the web document “Cost Allocation Guidelines for Products and Services” for additional information. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List)
Data Retrieval Tool - The Data Retrieval Tool (DRT) is used to access information related to applications, funding commitments, and disbursements. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Discount - The discount is based on a measure of poverty determined by NSLP calculations or approved equivalent alternative discount mechanisms and urban/rural status.
(USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Duplicative Services – Duplicative services are those that deliver the same functionality to the same population in the same location during the same period of time. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List)
E-cert or E-certification - E-Cert is the electronic certification process which allows applicants to electronically sign their online forms using a PIN. Use of a PIN is the equivalent of a hand written signature. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) E-rate – The E-rate – or, more precisely, the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Mechanism – provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access. Four service categories are funded: Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections Other than Basic Maintenance, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. Discounts range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services, depending on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served. Eligible schools, school districts and libraries may apply individually or as part of a consortium. The E-rate is one of four support mechanisms funded through a Universal Service fee charged to companies that provide interstate and/or international telecommunications services. The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the Universal Service Fund at the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); USAC’s Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) administers the E-rate. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries) Educational Purposes – In its Second Report and Order (FCC 03-101, released April 30, 2003), the Federal Communications Commission amended its rules to clarify the meaning of educational purposes as follows: [A]ctivities that are integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students, or in the case of libraries, integral, immediate, and proximate to the provision of library services to library patrons, qualify as “educational purposes.” Activities that occur on library or school property are presumed to be integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students or the provision of library services to library patrons. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Educational Purposes) Educational Service Agency (ESA) – Federal law defines an ESA as a “regional public multiservice agency authorized by State statute to develop, manage, and provide services or programs to local educational agencies.” (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Educational Service Agencies Roles in the E-rate Program) Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) – The Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) is an Internet Web-based tool designed for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) to give access to Commission rulemaking (RM) and docketed proceedings. ECFS allows you to research, retrieve, view and print any document in the system including previous non-electronic FCC documents that have been scanned into the system. ECFS includes data and images from the year 1992 onward. ECFS serves as the repository for official records in the FCC’s docketed and RM proceedings. (FCC Web Site: ECFS User Manual, March 11, 2003) Electronic Document Management System (EDOCS) – EDOCS lets you search a database of Daily Digest entries for FCC documents posted to the FCC web site since March 1996. The query searches on words and numbers that appeared in the Daily Digest title and in the description for each document, not on the full text of each document. EDOCS has two search modules: quick and advanced. (FCC Web Site: EDOCS) Electronic Signature – The Government Paperwork Elimination Act (GPEA) defines an electronic signature as “a method of signing an electronic message that – (A) identifies and authenticates a particular person as the source of the electronic message; and (B) indicates such person’s approval of the information contained in the electronic message.” (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Online Submission of Certifications) Elementary School – An elementary school is a non-profit institutional day or residential school, including a public elementary charter school, that provides elementary education, as determined under state law. 47 C.F.R. § 54.500(b) and 20 U.S. C. § 7801(18). Eligible Activities – The customary activities that occur on school or library property are now presumed to fall under the definition of educational purposes. Examples of eligible activities for schools now include, but are not limited to, the school-related activities of school administrators, school counselors, school nurses, school technology workers, cafeteria workers, security guards, and school bus drivers. Examples of eligible activities for libraries now include, but are not limited to, the library-related activities of library administrators, library technology workers, library bookmobile drivers, interlibrary loan workers, and security guards. All eligible products and services must be provided to and paid for by the entities indicated as receiving service. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Educational Purposes) Eligible Products Database – This tool contains a non-comprehensive list of products eligible for funding. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Search Tools) The database is limited to Internal Connections products. Information in the database includes the product name, a product description, and an indication of the type of product (such as router, PBX, file server, etc.). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Products Database)
Eligible Services - Eligible services are products and services approved to receive E-Rate support. Eligible services are divided into 4 categories: 1) Telecommunication Services (TS); 2) Internet Access (IA); 3) Internal Connections Other than Basic Maintenance (IC); and 4) Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections (BMIC). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Eligible Services List (ESL) – The Eligible Services List (ESL) is a list of the products and services approved by the FCC for funding under the Schools and Libraries Program. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Eligible Users and Locations – Eligible users and locations are those that are involved with activities that are integral, immediate, and proximate to the education of students or the provision of library services to patrons. The presumption is that activities on school or library property meet this standard. The term “school or library property” includes a District Office of similar facility, but does not include businesses or organizations separate from a school or library organization. Employees of a school or library with a normal duty station at an eligible location are eligible users. Employees of a non-school or non-library activity, even if located on school or library property, such as a state government office with responsibilities other than education or library services (e.g., a division of motor vehicles), are not eligible users. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) Eligibility for Discounts – Eligibility for discounts requires the eligible use of eligible products or services by eligible entities at eligible locations for eligible purposes. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) Employer Identification Number (EIN) – A taxpayer identification number (TIN) is a nine-digit number that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires of all individuals, businesses, and other employers to identify their tax accounts with the IRS. For employers, including state and local government agencies and non-profit organizations, the TIN is the IRS-issued Employer Identification Number (EIN). (FCC Web Site: CORES FAQ) Entity Number – An Entity Number is the unique number assigned by USAC to an entity who participates in the E-Rate Program. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Establishing Form 470 – The establishing Description of Services Requested and Certification Form (Form 470) is the form that serves as the basis for the competitive bidding process. For a multi-year contract, the establishing Form 470 for that contract could have been posted in a previous funding year. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Contract Guidance) FCC Registration Number (FRN) – An FRN, or FCC registration number, is a 10-digit number that is assigned to a business or individual registering with the FCC. This unique FRN is used to identify the registrant’s business dealings with the FCC. The FCC will use the FRN to determine if all of a registrant’s fees have been paid. (FCC Web Site: CORES FAQ) The FCC Registration Number (FCC RN) is an identifying number assigned to Program participants by the FCC. It is associated with an entity’s Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable. The FCC’s jurisdiction covers the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. possessions. (FCC Web Site: About the FCC) The FCC oversees the E-Rate Program. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Filing Window – Because the amount of funding available each year is capped at $2.25 billion and demand in most years has significantly exceeded funds available, FCC rules prescribe a filing window during which all Forms 471 that are filed are treated as if simultaneously received. Once the filing window opens, the applicant can submit the Form 471 either online or on paper. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries) Form 470 - Schools and Libraries Universal Service Description of Services Requested and Certification Form – Posting of the applicant's Form 470 on the USAC website opens a competitive bidding process for the services listed either on the form or in the Request for Proposals (RFP) indicated on the form. Form 470 can be filed for a particular funding year as soon as USAC posts a notice to that effect on its website. This notice will be posted at least 12 months before the start of a funding year. Form 470 must be POSTED on USAC's web site for at least 28 days before an applicant can execute a contract for contracted services, select a service provider for tariffed or month-to-month services, and sign and submit the Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471). If an RFP is issued, the RFP must remain open for at least 28 days. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Form 470 Filing Information) Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter – The Receipt Notification Letter (RNL) is sent to the applicant to indicate that the Form 470 has been received and data entered and the status of the certification (whether it has been received). The RNL also indicates to the applicant the earliest date on which the applicant can sign a contract (or select a Service Provider) in order to comply with the 28 day posting rule of the program. The RNL contains the Form 470 Application Number, which is assigned by the SLD. It is important that the applicant retain this number for future reference (such as in Block 5 on the Form 471). The RNL also indicates the date that the Form 470 was actually posted to the SLD web site; the applicant must wait 28 days from that posting date until they select a Service Provider, award a contract or file their Form 471. The RNL also indicates whether the applicant’s Form 470 certification was received. Finally, the RNL provides a reminder that not all services requested may be funded and that the applicant should make appropriate contingency plans. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 6 - SLD Communications Regarding Applications) Form 471 – Schools and Libraries Universal Service Services Ordered and Certification Form – Form 471 requests discounts on eligible services to be provided to eligible schools, libraries, and consortia. Form 471 cannot be filed before the Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date, which is 28 days after the Form 470 is POSTED to the USAC website. This date is provided on the Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter. Form 471 can be filed as early as the date established by the Federal Communications Commission as the opening of the Form 471 application filing window. Form 471 must be postmarked or received by 11:59 p.m. EST on the closing date of the Form 471 application filing window to be considered as having arrived within the window. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Form 471 Filing Information) Form 471 Application Number – A unique identifier assigned to a Form 471 by the SLD. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Form 486 Notification Letter) Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter – The Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) is sent to the applicant and the Service Provider, to indicate what has been entered into the SLD data system from the applicant’s Form 471. The RAL is used to confirm accurate data entry. It is a mechanism by which the applicant can indicate that there have been errors in data entry or that the FRN was incorrectly presented by the applicant and thus needs correction. The RAL is sent out prior to Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review and therefore, does not reflect any decision on eligibility or funding commitment levels. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 6 – SLD Communications Regarding Applications) Form 472 – Schools and Libraries Universal Service Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Form (BEAR) – Form 472 is used by the Billed Entity to request reimbursement for support on eligible services that have already been paid in full by the Billed Entity to the service provider. Form 472 can be filed after the following have occurred:
Form 472 Notification Letter – USAC will issue a Form 472 (BEAR Form) Notification Letter to both the applicant and the service provider(s) upon successful data entry of the Form 472. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Form 472 Filing Information) The BEAR notification letter provides the Service Provider with notice that a BEAR form has been approved for payment and that USAC will be issuing a check within approximately 15 days. A copy of this letter is sent to the applicant, as well (to give them a heads up that [the Service Provider] will be receiving money on their behalf). The reason for the notice is that the Service Provider will receive a consolidated check (regardless of the number of BEARs it covers) for each remittance batch. [T]he reimbursement has to be made to the applicant within 20 days of receipt of USAC’s check. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 9 – Service Provider’s Role in BEAR Process)
Form 473 – Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) – The Service Provider Annual Certification (SPAC) Form 473 must be filed annually by the service provider, to certify that they will follow Program rules and guidelines.
(USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Form 474 – Service Provider Invoice Form (SPIF) – The Service Provider Invoice (SPI) Form 474 is submitted by the service provider to USAC to request reimbursement for discounts already provided on customer bills.
(USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Form 479 – Certification by Administrative Authority to Billed Entity of Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act – The FCC Form 479, Certification by Administrative Authority to Billed Entity of Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, provides notification to a Billed Entity by an Administrative Authority of the status of the Administrative Authority’s compliance for the purposes of CIPA. The Billed Entity will then certify on its FCC Form 486, Receipt of Service Confirmation Form, that it has collected duly completed and signed Forms 479 from Administrative Authorities that the Billed Entity represents. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 479 Instructions) Form 486 – Schools and Libraries Universal Service Receipt of Service Confirmation Form – Form 486 notifies USAC that the Billed Entity and/or the eligible entities that it represents is receiving, or has received, service in the relevant funding year from the named service provider(s). Receipt by USAC of a properly-completed Form 486 triggers the process for USAC to receive Service Providers Invoice (SPI) Forms or Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Forms. Form 486 must be filed to:
Form 486 Deadline – In general, Form 486 must be postmarked or received no later than 120 days after the Service Start Date shown on the Form 486 or no later than 120 days after the date of the FCDL, whichever is later, to receive support retroactively to the Service Start Date. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Form 486 Filing Information) Form 486 Notification Letter – USAC will issue a Form 486 Notification Letter to both the applicant and the service provider(s) upon successful data entry of the Form 486 and the Form 486 Block 4 certifications. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Form 486 Filing Information) In order to confirm that services have been received or have already started (or, in the case of early filing, that the applicant has confirmed that services will start as agreed), the applicant must file the Form 486 to indicate the Actual Service Start Date. This is the earliest date from which discounts on services can be invoiced. The Form 486 is the applicant’s way of letting SLD know that it is okay for the Service Provider to begin invoicing USAC. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 6 – SLD Communications Regarding Applications) Form 498 – Service Provider Information Form – The Service Provider Information Form (SPIF) Form 498 is completed by service providers who wish to participate in USF Programs. A SPIN (see below) is assigned based on this submission. The form provides contact information at the company/corporate level as well as contact information for each USF Program. The SPIF is also used to notify USAC of any changes to contact information that has changed. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Form 499-A - Annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet - The Annual Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet Form 499-A is completed by Program contributors – interstate telecommunications providers – each year to report annual revenues. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Form 499-Q - Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet - The Quarterly Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet Form 499–Q is completed by Program contributors – interstate telecommunications providers – each quarter to report quarterly revenues. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Form 500 - Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service Confirmation Form – The FCC Form 500, Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service Confirmation Form, is used by the Billed Entity who filed an FCC Form 471, Services Ordered and Certification Form, on behalf of an eligible school, library, library consortium or consortium of multiple entities, and who received a commitment of funds to inform the fund administrator, the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), that it wishes to reduce the funding commitment amount on the Funding Request Number (FRN) level, or about a modification in the beginning or ending date for services received during the funding year. The Form 500 must be filed to accomplish the following:
Form 500 Notification Letter - [The Form 500 Notification Letter] is to notify [the applicant] that the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company has received and accepted an FCC Form 500 (Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service Confirmation Form). This notification is to confirm the information that [the applicant] provided. This information is [also] shared with the Service Provider whose SPIN [the applicant] identified on the affected Funding Request (FRN). (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Previous Sample Form 500 Notification Letter) Free Services Advisory – An applicant may not receive free or discounted services from a service provider that have the effect of providing a discount level to the applicant greater than the discount allowed for Schools and Libraries support. Applicants and service providers are prohibited from using Schools and Libraries support to subsidize the procurement of ineligible or unrequested products and services or from participating in arrangements that have the effect of providing a discount level to applicants greater than that to which applicants are entitled. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Free Services Advisory) FRN Funding Status – An FRN that is “Funded” will be approved at the level that the SLD determined is appropriate for that item. The funding level will generally be the level requested unless the SLD determined during the application review process that some adjustment is appropriate. An FRN that is “Not Funded” is one for which no funds will be committed. An FRN may be “Not Funded” because the request does not comply with program rules, or because the total amount of funding available for this Funding Year was insufficient to fund all requests. An FRN that is “As Yet Unfunded” reflects a temporary status that is assigned to an FRN when the SLD is uncertain at the time the letter [FCDL] is generated whether there will be sufficient funds to make commitments for requests for Internal Connections at a particular discount level. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Funding Commitment Decision Letter) Funding Commitment Decision – [The funding commitment decision] represents the total amount of funding that the SLD has reserved to reimburse service providers for the approved discounts for [a] service for [a] funding year. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Funding Commitment Decision Letter) Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) – Once the Form 471 has been reviewed, the SLD issues one or more Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) to both the applicant and the service provider, setting out its decision for each funding request. If an applicant believes any of its funding requests have been incorrectly reduced or denied, the applicant can appeal the SLD decision(s), either to the SLD or to the FCC. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries) A Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) is the official USAC response to an applicant’s Form 471 and advises what funding the applicant is eligible to receive. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Funding Request Number (FRN) – The Funding Request Number (FRN) is the unique number assigned by USAC to each Form 471 Block 5 Discount Funding Request. It is used to track and report details about products and discounts requested. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Funding Waves – A wave is the E-Rate term used for a group of funding commitment decision notifications that USAC sends out to applicants and service providers on a given date. Waves are usually issued weekly. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Funding Year – Funding years begin on July 1 and end on the following June 30 (non-recurring services through the following September 30). Funding years are designated by the calendar year in which they begin. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Form 472 (BEAR Form) Notification Letter) The Funding Year (FY) runs from July 1 to June 30. The funding year is the period of time for which an applicant is seeking funding from USAC. Funding Year 1998 (or Funding Year 1) was, by special circumstance, an 18-month year (January 1, 1998 – June 30, 1999). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Good Samaritan Policy – The Good Samaritan policy is a procedure that USAC has implemented to address specific situations in which a funding commitment has been approved, services have been rendered and paid for by the applicant at the undiscounted rate during a particular funding year, but the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) cannot be processed for various reasons, such as the service provider originally selected by the applicant has gone out of business, or filed for bankruptcy protection before receiving BEAR payment(s) for the applicant. Under those circumstances, USAC permits the applicant to obtain BEAR payments through a substitute service provider, known as Good Samaritan. The role of the Good Samaritan is simply to receive the BEAR payment from USAC and pass the reimbursement through to the applicant. (FCC Web Site: FCC Order on Reconsideration and Fourth Report and Order, Footnote 39)
HATS - Helping Applicants to Succeed (HATS) is an outreach and training program established by USAC to help applicants who have experienced difficulties with the E-Rate Program in recent years. HATS provides targeted training and outreach to help applicants become more successful when applying for discounts. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Information Service – The Communications Act of 1934 (as amended) defines an information service as “the offering of a capability for generating, acquiring, storing, transforming, processing, retrieving, utilizing, or making available information via telecommunications, and includes electronic publishing, but does not include any use of any such capability for the management, control, or operation of a telecommunications system or the management of a telecommunications service.” Internet Access is an information service. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) Internal Connections – Internal connections are components located at the applicant site that are necessary to transport information to classrooms, publicly accessible rooms of a library, and to eligible administrative areas or buildings. Internal Connections include connections within, between or among instructional buildings that comprise a school campus or library branch, but do not include services that extend beyond the school campus or library branch. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) FCC rules establish a rebuttable presumption that a connection does not constitute an Internal Connection if it crosses a public right-of-way. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Wide Area Network (WAN) Fact Sheet) Internet Access – Internet access provides a connection to the Internet, which is the publicly available worldwide system of interconnected computer networks that uses agreed upon technical standards based on the Internet Protocol (IP). Internet access provides a connection to a vast quantity of information and services, such as electronic mail and the documents and features of the World Wide Web. Service Providers for Internet access need not be telecommunications carriers. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) Internet Safety Policy – Schools and libraries receiving Program discounts are required to have an Internet safety policy that addresses: (1) access by minors to inappropriate matter on the Internet and World Wide Web, (2) the safety and security of minors when using electronic mail, chat rooms, and other forms of direct electronic communications, (3) unauthorized access, including hacking, and other unlawful activities by minors online, (4) unauthorized disclosure, use, and dissemination of personal identification information regarding minors, and (5) measures designed to restrict minors’ access to materials harmful to minors. There is also a public notice and hearing/meeting requirement. The Internet safety policy must include the use of filtering or blocking technology that protects against access, through computers with Internet access, to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or (in the case of use by minors) harmful to minors. (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 486 Instructions) Internet2 – Internet2 is a consortium of universities, industry, and government for development and deployment of advanced network applications and technologies. A telecommunications link that connects an eligible entity to Internet2 is eligible for discount. Membership dues or any fees for non-telecommunications services are not eligible. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) Inventory – [Applicants should] maintain an inventory of E-rate equipment that includes make, model, serial number, physical location, date installed, FRN, customer bill reference number(s), pre-discount cost, non-discount portion, and reference number (e.g., check number) of payment of the non-discount portion (USAC/SLD Reference Area: 2004 Train-the-Trainer “Audits” PowerPoint) Invoice – The SLD must receive an invoice in order to pay the discount amount on services for which funds have been committed. If applicants receive discounts on their bills from service providers, the service providers must submit the Form 474, Service Provider Invoice Form, to receive payment for the discount they have provided. If applicants wish to request reimbursement for services for which they have already paid in full, they must submit the Form 472, Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Form. The SLD bases the billing mode for each funding request – discounting or reimbursement – on the first type of invoice it processes for payment. Note that payment will not be made on a Form 472 or a Form 474 received or postmarked after the [invoice] deadline. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries) Invoice Deadline – Invoices must be postmarked no later than 120 days after the last date to receive service – including extensions – or 120 days after the date of the Form 486 Notification Letter, whichever is later. Invoices should not be submitted until the invoiced products and/or services have been delivered and billed, and (for BEAR Forms) the provider has been paid. Once established, the selected invoicing method – Forms 474 (SPIs) or Forms 472 (BEARs) – must be used for the entire Funding Year. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Form 486 Notification Letter)
Invoice Deadline Extension Requests – USAC provides for the extension of invoice deadlines under certain conditions. These conditions include:
Item 21 Attachment – Each Form 471 Block 5 funding request must include a separate description of the products and services for which discounts are being sought. This description is known as an "Item 21 Attachment." Several different formats are possible for the Item 21 Attachment. However, the Item 21 Attachment generally consists of these parts:
The Item 21 Attachment provides details on the products or services requested in an FRN and who will receive them. It can be filed online, by fax or on paper. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Item 25 – Item 25 on the FCC Form 471 is this certification: "I certify that the entity I represent or the entities listed on this application have secured access, separately or through this program, to all of the resources, including computers, training, software, internal connections, maintenance, and electrical capacity, necessary to use the services purchased effectively. I recognize that some of the aforementioned resources are not eligible for support. I certify that the entities I represent or the entities listed on this application have secured access to all of the resources to pay the discounted charges for eligible services from funds to which access has been secured in the current funding year. I certify that the Billed Entity will pay the non-discount portion of the cost of the goods and services to the service provider(s)." (USAC/SLD Web Site: FCC Form 471) Lease – The term "lease" refers to arrangements whereby the ownership of the facility remains with the service provider. No ownership attributes are undertaken by the lessee (applicant). Whether or not an arrangement constitutes a lease will be based on a review of contractual terms and conditions. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Wide Area Network (WAN) Fact Sheet)
Letter of Agency - A Letter of Agency (LOA) authorizes (1) a person who is not a school or library employee to represent the applicant or (2) a consortium leader to apply for E-Rate discounts on behalf of the consortium members. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) LSTA - LSTA is the Library Services and Technology Act (Pub. L. No. 104-208). Libraries must be eligible for assistance under LSTA and must meet other requirements to qualify for the E-Rate Program. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Ministerial and Clerical Errors - Errors made in completing E-Rate forms that can be corrected within established guidelines. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Minor Contract Modification – A “minor contract modification” is defined as “a change to a universal service contract that is within the scope of the original contract and has no effect or merely a negligible effect on price, quantity, quality, or delivery under the original contract.” (FCC Web Site: FCC Third Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) Month-to-Month Services – [M]onth-to-month Internet access, cellular services, or paging services for which [an applicant] do[es] not have a written contract but for which [an applicant’s] standard monthly bills are proof of a binding, legal arrangement (a Form 470 must be filed for these services each year) (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Selecting Service Providers) Multi-year Contract – A multi-year contract means a contract that covers more than one year. For example, a three-year contract would expire at the end of the third year. A contract including voluntary extensions means that the contract expires at the end of its original term and may be voluntarily extended for one or more years pursuant to the provisions in the contract. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Contract Guidance)
News Brief - The News Brief is a weekly newsletter from USAC that provides participants with up-to-date information, including important dates and tips regarding the application process and other breaking news. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) No Child Left Behind Act - The No Child Left Behind Act provides the statutory definition of elementary and secondary schools. Schools must meet this definition as well as other requirements to qualify for the E-Rate Program. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Non-discount Portion - The non-discount portion of an FRN is the cost of services not covered by the E-Rate discount. Applicants must pay their portion of the cost of services to the service provider. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Non-instructional Facilities (NIF) – A Non-Instructional Facility (NIF) is a building that may be eligible for discounts although it does not contain classrooms used for teaching students or public facilities for libraries. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Examples of non-instructional facilities on school property include, but are not limited to, administrative buildings, school bus barns and garages, cafeteria offices, and facilities associated with athletic activities. Examples of non-instructional facilities on library property include, but are not limited to, administrative buildings, bookmobile garages, interlibrary loan facilities, and library technology centers. These non-instructional facilities must be located on school or library property to be considered eligible. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Educational Purposes) NPRM - A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) is used by the FCC to detail proposed changes to FCC rules and to seek public comment on these proposals. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) NSLP - The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides school lunches to eligible students at a free or reduced rate. Applicant’s E-Rate discount percentage is based on NSLP and urban/rural status. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Obligation to Pay Non-Discount Portion – Applicants are required to pay the non-discount portion of the cost of the products and/or services. Service providers are required to bill applicants for the non-discount portion. The FCC has stated that requiring applicants to pay their share ensures efficiency and accountability in the program. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Form 486 Notification Letter)
Office of Inspector General - The Office of Inspector General (OIG) is a division of the FCC that provides independent and objective audits and investigations relating to agency programs and operations, leadership, and coordination, and recommends policies to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in agency programs and operations. The Inspector General reports to, and is under the general supervision, of the FCC Chair. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Office of Management and Budget - The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is a component of the Executive Office of the President of The United States. They provide approval for FCC forms and other means of data collection. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) On-Premise Priority 1 Equipment – In general, equipment that is located at the applicant site is considered for funding under the eligibility requirements for internal connections. However, if the on-premise equipment is an integral part of an end-to-end Priority 1 service (i.e., telecommunications services or Internet access), recurring or non-recurring charges for that service may include the cost of on-premise equipment used by the provider to provide that Priority 1 service. Strict conditions apply to the provision of support for Priority 1 services that include on-premise equipment. USAC uses the principles set forth in the Tennessee Order [FCC 99-216, released August 11, 1999] as a processing standard for funding requests that include service provider charges for the use of on-premise equipment. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: On-Premise Priority 1 Equipment) Operational SPIN Change – An Operational SPIN change is a request to change the service provider associated with an FRN. The change in service providers is the result of a deliberate decision by the applicant to change the service provider supplying the services for an FRN. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: SPIN Change Guidance) PIN – PIN is an acronym for Personal Identification Number – in this [E-rate] case, a computer-generated, four-digit number. An authorized person can use a PIN, together with a self-generated User Identification (User ID), to attach an electronic signature to – and therefore to electronically certify – a form. When an individual requests a PIN, he or she agrees, among other things, that using the PIN is equivalent to a hand-written signature, and that he or she will abide by the terms and conditions regarding the use of the PIN. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Online Submission of Certifications) Pre-discount Cost – [The pre-discount cost is the] cost of service before e-rate discount is applied. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Priority 1 Services – In the E-Rate Program, Telecommunications and Internet Access services are known collectively as “Priority 1” since they are funded first. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Priority 2 Services – In the E-Rate Program, Internal Connections Other than Basic Maintenance and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections are collectively known as “Priority 2” since they are funded after Telecommunications and Internet Access services starting with the neediest applicants first. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Problem Resolution – Program forms submitted manually to the USAC - including manually submitted certifications - must meet Minimum Processing Standards. If a manually submitted form or certification fails Minimum Processing Standards, it will be rejected and returned to the submitter. If the form meets Minimum Processing Standards but cannot be data entered for other reasons, it is referred for Problem Resolution. During Problem Resolution, a representative of the USAC Problem Resolution Team will attempt to contact the contact person identified on the form to obtain the information necessary so that data entry can be completed. The representative may request additional documentation or ask questions specific to the form. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Problem Resolution)
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) – Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) is the compliance review function for pre- and post-commitment requests. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) The PIA Team may contact [an applicant] as it reviews the information on [an applicant’s] Form 471. PIA is responsible for making sure that the discounts [an applicant] receive[s] are for eligible services provided to eligible entities for eligible uses. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Form 471 SLD Review) Public Notice (PN) - A Public Notice (PN) is issued by the FCC to notify the public of an action taken or an upcoming event. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Qualified Existing Contract – A qualified existing contract is:
RAL - The Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) is issued by USAC to both the applicant and service provider to indicate that a timely Form 471 and certification has been received. It provides applicants with the opportunity to review and correct ministerial and clerical errors. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Red Light Rule – The FCC shall withhold action on any application made by an entity that is delinquent in its non-tax debts owed to the FCC, and shall dismiss such applications if the delinquent debt is not resolved. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: 2004 Train-the-Trainer “Updates and New Initiative” PowerPoint) The Red Light Rule requires the FCC to withhold action on applications and other requests for benefits when the entity applying for or seeking benefits is delinquent in non-tax debts owed to the FCC, and to dismiss such applications or other request if the delinquency is not resolved. It can affect any E-Rate participant – applicant, service provider or consultant. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Remand - A remand is an action by the FCC to return applications to USAC for further review and decision. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Retention of Records – Applicants MUST maintain their records for at least five years after the last date of service delivered to be able to comply with audits and other inquiries or investigations. USAC and the FCC visit a sample of applicants to ensure services have been delivered in compliance with FCC rules. (USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Discounts for Schools and Libraries) RFCDL - An Revised Funding Commitment Decision Letter (RFCDL) is issued by USAC to applicants and service providers when changes to a funding commitment occur, usually as the result of a successful appeal. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) RFP - A Request For Proposal (RFP) is one form of solicitation for services or products. It provides details regarding needed services or products as well as the due date for responses. An RFP may be posted in addition to the required posting of a Form 470, and is not a Program requirement. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
RNL - The Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter (RNL) is issued to applicants by USAC to indicate that a Form 470 has been posted. It provides applicants with the opportunity to review and correct ministerial and clerical errors. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Rural/Urban Classification – Every school or library in the United States is located in either a rural or an urban area, based on the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) data. Applicants must determine if the school or library is rural or urban in order to properly calculate its percentage discount. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Rural/Urban Classifications) Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) – The Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) is a division of USAC which administers the Schools and Libraries Support Mechanism – commonly known as E-Rate. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Secondary School – A secondary school is a non-profit institutional day or residential school, including a public secondary charter school, that provides secondary education, as determined under state law, except that such term does not include any education beyond grade 12. 47 C.F.R. § 54.500(j) and 20 U.S.C. § 7801(38). Selective Review – Selective Review is a review by PIA of certifications that applicants make on their Forms 471, such as those regarding the competitive bidding process, technology plans, and the necessary resources to make effective use of requested services. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Selective Review Information Request (SRIR) - A Selective Review Information Request (SRIR) is the request sent to applicants when their application has been chosen for Selective Review. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Service Providers (SP)/Vendors – [A service provider or vendor is] a business or organization that sells connections or equipment necessary for communications. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) – To participate in the Schools and Libraries Program, service providers must obtain a Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) from USAC. The Service Provider Identification Number and Contact Information Form (Form 498) is used to collect contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers that receive support from the federal Universal Service Fund programs - High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries - administered by USAC. USAC will assign a Service Provider Identification Number to each company that registers by filing a Form 498. The SPIN is used by USAC as a means of identification and tracking records for the company. If any information that appears on the form has changed, the service provider must file an updated Form 498, and the service provider may do so online. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Obtain a Service Provider Identification Number) Service Substitution – A service substitution is a change in the products and/or services specified in the Services Ordered and Certification Form, FCC Form 471. In certain limited circumstances, applicants or service providers may request and be approved for service substitutions. In addition, service providers or equipment manufacturers may submit a "global" service substitution in certain instances. Service substitutions encompass changes in the technical components (whether products or services or both) specified in the Item 21 Attachment for a Form 471, Block 5 Discount Funding Request. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Service Substitutions) Shared Service – [Shared services are] services delivered to more than one site; discount based on average or aggregate level. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Site Identifier – The Entity Number listed in Form 471 for “site specific” FRNs. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Sample Commitment Adjustment Letter) Site Visits – [Site visits have] two purposes: 1. robust after the fact physical site review to help curb waste, fraud and abuse; [and] 2. enhance outreach to the school and library community. [The] objective of site visits [is to] gather information on: 1. procurement; 2. deployment; 3. use of technology as it relates to E-rate; 4. possible best practices by applicants; [and] 5. success of current outreach efforts. [The] site visit reviewer will gather information on the deployment and use of technology [and] will identify topics for which further outreach and training related to the Schools and Libraries support mechanism may be worthwhile. Visits will be generally random based on receipt of recent invoices; visits will be short and focused; visits will include locations across all states and territories that receive E-rate funds. [The] applicant will be notified one to two weeks prior to visit and will be given a list of specific documentation to have ready. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: 2004 Train-the-Trainer “Updates and New Initiatives” PowerPoint) Site-Specific Services – [Site-specific services are] services delivered only to one entity, such as a single school. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) SPIN Change – In certain circumstances, applicants and service providers can request a change of the Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). A SPIN change may either be a Corrective SPIN Change or an Operational SPIN Change. A corrective SPIN change is a notification to USAC that the SPIN associated with a Funding Request Number (FRN) is not correct. This occurs when (1) either the applicant or USAC made a data entry error or (2) a change occurred that was not initiated by the applicant. An Operational SPIN change is a request to change the service provider associated with an FRN. The change in service providers is the result of a deliberate decision by the applicant to change the service provider supplying the services for an FRN. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: SPIN Change Guidance) State Master Contracts – A state master contract is a contract that is competitively bid and put in place by a state government entity for use by others. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Contract Guidance ) Supplemental Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDL) – There are several instances when SLD might issue a supplemental FCDL, such as in the case of a meritorious appeal, or when there has been a commitment adjustment (reduction) based on program compliance rules, or in the case of a SPIN change, where the applicant has indicated their intention to switch Service Providers. These supplemental FCDLs are provided to applicant and Service Provider and are available only in paper format; there is no electronic notification. The information is basically the same as on a regular FCDL. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 6 – SLD Communications Regarding Applications) Tariffed Services – Tariffed services are telecommunications services purchased at regulated rates for which [an applicant] do[es] not have a signed, written contract. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Selecting Service Providers) Tariffed Service Provided Under a Contract – A tariffed service provided under contract is a service offered under one or more tariffs and for which a contract has been signed. In all cases, funding requests for which a contract has been signed should be reported as contracted services. Form 471 Block 5 should include the Contract Number in Item 15 (not a "T"), the Contract Award Date in Item 18, and the Contract Expiration Date in Item 20. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Contract Guidance) Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) – A TIN is a nine-digit number that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires of all individuals, businesses, and other employers to identify their tax accounts with the IRS. For employers, including state and local government agencies and non-profit organizations, the TIN is the IRS-issued Employer Identification Number (EIN). (FCC Web Site) Technical Client Service Bureau (TCSB) – [The TCSB is the] team answering technical questions about eligible services and program rules. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Technology Plan – The technology plan documents the library service strategy or the school improvement purpose of requested telecommunications services or Internet access under the Universal Service Program for Schools and Libraries. Technology planning must not be treated as a separate exercise dealing primarily with networks and telecommunication infrastructure. Approved technology plans must establish the connections between the information technology and the professional development strategies, curriculum initiatives, and library objectives that will lead to improved education and library services. A technology plan must be completed at the time the FCC Form 470 is filed and must be approved before the start of service or the filing of the FCC Form 486, whichever is earlier. Applicants are required to formally certify on the FCC Form 486 that the technology plans on which they based their purchases were approved before they began to receive service. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Frequently Asked Questions about Technology Planning) A technology (tech) plan outlines an applicant’s goals in the use of technology services. Tech plans must be approved by a USAC-certified Technology Plan Approver prior to the start of discounted services or submission of the Form 486, whichever is earlier. A plan is required for any service other than basic telephone services. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Technology Plan Approval Date - The technology plan approval date is the date that a USAC-certified Technology Plan Approver officially gave approval to the plan (This is different from the tech plan creation date). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Technology Plan Approval Letter - The technology plan approval letter is issued by a USAC-certified Technology Plan Approver to verify the approval status of an applicant’s tech plan. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Technology Plan Approver Locator – The Technology Plan Approver Locator is a tool designed to match up applicants with USAC-certified Technology Plan Approvers. Applicants who are seeking support for services other than basic local and/or long distance telephone service (wireline or wireless) must prepare technology plans and have those plans approved by a USAC-certified Technology Plan Approver. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Certified Technology Plan Approver Locator) Technology Plan Creation Date - The tech plan creation date is the date that a tech plan was first written or prepared. (It is not the date that the final version of the plan was approved.) (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Technology Protection Measure - A technology protection measure is a specific technology that blocks or filters Internet access. It must protect against access by adults and minors to visual depictions that are obscene, child pornography, or — with respect to use of computers with Internet access by minors — harmful to minors. It may be disabled for adults engaged in bona fide research or other lawful purposes. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Telecommunications – Telecommunications is defined as "the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user’s choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received" [47 U.S.C. 153(43)]. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List) Telecommunications Act – The Telecommunications Act of 1996, among other things, established the federal universal service support mechanism for eligible schools and libraries. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Telecommunications Services – A telecommunications service is “the offering of telecommunications for a fee directly to the public, or to such classes of users as to be effectively available directly to the public…” [47 U.S.C. 153(46)]. To be eligible for support, Telecommunications Services must be provided by a telecommunications carrier, that is, a company that offers telecommunications services on a common carriage basis. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Eligible Services List)
Tennessee Test - The term “Tennessee Test” comes from an FCC decision, which specified the various conditions that an applicant must meet for on-premise equipment to be funded as Priority 1 services. An applicant may be required to provide the documentation during PIA review showing how requested services meet these conditions. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Tip Sheets - Tip sheets are one-page documents that provide a high level view of specific E-Rate topics. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Transfers of Equipment – Eligible products and services purchased with Schools and Libraries program discounts cannot be sold, resold, or transferred for money or any other thing of value. Applicants can transfer equipment in the following two situations, but in neither circumstance can equipment be transferred for money or anything of value:
“Two Out of Five Rule” for Internal Connections – Starting in Funding Year 2005, eligible entities will only be able to receive support for Internal Connections in two of every five funding years. This applies to individual recipients (individual school, library, or non-instructional facility). For each eligible entity, the five-year period begins in any year, starting with Funding Year 2005, in which that entity receives support for Internal Connections. Entities can use two years within any five-year period. Funding year 2007 is the first year that entities will be ineligible for Internal Connections funding based on this rule. This rule does not apply to Telecommunications and Internet Access services, nor to Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections services categorized as Priority 2. Basic Maintenance services are eligible for support each year if they are necessary to the operation of the Internal Connections network. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: “Two Out of Five Rule” for Internal Connections)
Universal Service Fund (USF) – The Universal Service Fund (USF) was established in 1983 to help ensure that all Americans can afford telephone service wherever they live and to provide for discounts on services for schools and libraries and rural health care facilities. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) – USAC oversees the administration of all universal service support, which includes the High Cost mechanism, the Low-Income mechanism, the Rural Health Care mechanism and the Schools and Libraries mechanism. USAC has the responsibility to administer the program in ways that prevent fraud, waste and abuse. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: Service Provider Manual - Chapter 1 – Program Overview) Voluntary Extensions – A contract including voluntary extensions means that the contract expires at the end of its original term and may be voluntarily extended for one or more years pursuant to the provisions in the contract. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Contract Guidance) Waiver – A waiver is a request to waive an FCC policy, rule, or deadline such as the Form 471 application filing window deadline. Please note that waivers are not granted often: only in special circumstances and when a deviation from the rules would serve the public interest. The waiver standard generally requires a showing of circumstances that could not be avoided even with careful planning. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Appeals Procedure) Wave – A wave is the E-Rate term used for a group of funding commitment decision notifications that USAC sends out to applicants and service providers on a given date. Waves are usually issued weekly. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List) Weighted Average – [The weighted average is] the calculated amount of discount that reflects the number of students eligible, for instance, [for] the National Free Lunch Program for a school district. (Old USAC/SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Wide Area Network (WAN) – A WAN is a voice, data, or video network that provides connections from one or more computers or networks within an eligible school or library to one or more computers or networks that are external to such eligible school or library. Excluded from this definition is a network that provides connections between or among buildings of a single school campus or between or among buildings of a single library outlet or branch, when those connections do not cross a public right of way. (USAC/SLD Reference Area: Wide Area Network (WAN) Fact Sheet) Window – [The window is the] time during which all Form 471s are treated as if filed on [the] same day. (SLD Web Site: E-rate Terminology) Early November to early February preceding the start of the Funding Year (exact dates for each funding year will be posted on USAC's website). (USAC/SLD Web Site: Calendar/Reminders)
Whistleblower Hotline "Code 9 Call" - The Whistleblower Hotline allows members of the public to report suspected violations of Program rules to USAC. These reports can be made anonymously toll-free to 1-888-203-8100. (USAC/SLD Web Site: Acronyms and Terms List)
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