Friendly Reminders - September 14th 2021
Quick News
Thank you all who completed a recent E-rate and Broadband survey! It is not too late to complete the survey as we prepare to support you through the upcoming annual E-rate cycle. The feedback collected resulted in two new webinars hosted by Idaho’s Dept of Education and Commission for Libraries.
Read below for more information, and register via the buttons below!
WEBINAR: E-rate Essentials
WEBINAR: Form 470 + The Idaho BIIG Grant
Update: Date Change from 9/30 to 10/01
Upcoming Dates
9/28/2021 - Second ECF Window Opens
Have questions about the ECF and how to apply? Reply to this email and let us know! Most schools and libraries are eligible, even if they haven’t applied for E-rate before.
The official FAQ has been updated by the FCC, which includes this important update below. Read more about the FAQ updates on E-rate Central’s newsletter
Q: After submitting an application during the first application filing window, a school or library realizes they need additional equipment and services to meet their students’, school staff’s, or library patrons’ unmet needs. Can the school or library submit another application during the second window to address these unmet needs?
A: Yes. If a school or library determines there is additional need for eligible equipment and/or services, they may submit another application during the second application filing window to address these unmet needs. However, applicants should not seek support for equipment and services already requested during the first filing window. Applicants requesting support for similar services or equipment should clearly explain the differences between their requests
9/28/2021 — WEBINAR: E-rate Essentials
What is E-rate? It helps fund Internet costs for schools and libraries in the United States. Learn about the annual funding cycle, essential deadlines, and more from Idaho's state and library coordinators.
We'll explain how Idaho makes additional reimbursements available for E-rate applicants, including for special construction build-outs. Questions will be answered throughout the webinar.Hosted by Idaho’s state E-rate coordinators: Daniel Vogt of the Dept of Education and William Lamb of the Commission for Libraries.
This webinar will be recorded and posted on state agency websites with other resources and materials
9/30/2021 - BEAR Reimbursements (Form 472)
BEAR reimbursements (Form 472) for Funding Year 2020 (ending June 30, 2021) is September 30th.
Before you file the BEAR, you must have an approved Form 498.
The Form 498 provides USAC with the banking information so that your BEAR reimbursements can be directly deposited into your account. You do not need to complete the Form 498 annually. If you completed last year, the online BEAR system already has your banking data on file. If you need to change your banking data, you can edit your existing 498 in EPC.
10/01 — WEBINAR: Form 470 + The Idaho BIIG Grant
Now is the time to consider your 2022-2023 technology needs. Are you in need of new equipment, or upgrading your Internet service?
Learn how to complete the first step in the annual E-rate cycle: requesting bids for service. We'll also discuss Idaho's BIIG grant that supports special construction build-outs for new infrastructure. Questions will be answered throughout the webinar.
Hosted by Idaho’s state E-rate coordinators: Daniel Vogt of the Dept of Education and William Lamb of the Commission for Libraries.
This webinar will be recorded and posted on state agency websites with other resources and materials
10/13/2021 - ECF Window Closes
Deadline closes at midnight, Friday October 15th.
Upcoming E-rate Forms
Form 486 — Service Start Date — FY2021
Deadline: 120 days from start of service date or of FCDL—whichever is later.
If start of service date was 7/1/2021, then 486 deadline is 10/29/2021.
Form 472 — BEAR Reimbursement — FY2022
BEAR reimbursements (Form 472) for Funding Year 2020 (ending June 30, 2021) is September 30th.
Before you file the BEAR, you must have an approved Form 498.
The Form 498 provides USAC with the banking information so that your BEAR reimbursements can be directly deposited into your account. You do not need to complete the Form 498 annually. If you completed last year, the online BEAR system already has your banking data on file. If you need to change your banking data, you can edit your existing 498 in EPC.
Form 470 — Request for Service/Hardware Bids — FY2022
Now is the time to begin planning and requesting services and/or equipment for the 2022-2023 school year. You can post a Form 470 to request service/equipment bids through the end of *February 2022).
Bids must be posted for at least 28 days before selecting a winner. We recommend bids be present for 45-60 days depending on the scope of the bid.
We will be hosting a webinar to review the Form 470, and offer tips and best practices, on Thursday, September 30th at 11am MT! The session will be recorded and made available shortly after
Do you have questions about you upgrades, contracts, and preparing to request bids? Are you interested in building out new infrastructure? Contact us to discuss it! Reply to this email or contact Daniel Vogt at dvogt@sde.idaho.gov.
*We will not know the definite deadline until that time of year, so Feb 2022 is a general estimate.
Daniel Vogt
(208) 332-6993
dvogt@sde.idaho.gov