AGENDAAGENDA

What is E-What is E-Rate?Rate?

The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (USF), known as "E-

Rate," administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the FCC, provides

discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the US to obtain affordable

telecommunications and Internet access.

E-Rate E-Rate FundingFunding

Funding is requested under four categories of service: Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections.

ApplicationApplication ProcessProcess

Who is Who is Eligible?Eligible?

Federal and state laws determine eligibility of schools, school districts, and libraries.

Who is Who is Eligible?Eligible?Schools:

Provide elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.Public or private institutional day or residential schools, or public charter schools.Operate as non-profit businesses.Cannot have an endowment exceeding $20 million.

Who is Who is Eligible?Eligible?

Libraries:Eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency under that Act.

Have budgets completely separate from any schools.

Cannot operate as for-profit businesses.

Technology Technology PlanPlan

Application process begins with Technology Assessment & Technology plan.

Technology Plan designed to improve education or library services should cover the entire funding year (July 1 to June 30) but not more than three years.

Technology Technology PlanPlan

Approved by a USAC-certified Technology Plan approver before discounted services can begin.

State is certified Technology Plan approver for libraries and public schools.

Technology Technology PlanPlanMust contain Five elements:

Goals and realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology.

A professional development strategy.

An assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed.

Technology Technology PlanPlanFive Elements contd’:

Budget resources.

Ongoing evaluation process.

FBISDFBISDTechnology PlanTechnology Plan

Created to serve the needs of fifty-nine campuses with a combined enrollment of nearly sixty thousand students.

Over twenty-three percent of student body was economically disadvantaged at the time of the creation of the plan.

FBISDFBISDTechnology PlanTechnology Plan

The district provides professional development opportunities through workshops and classes that address specific Technology Applications TEKS responsibilities by grade level and additional district courses created by district personnel.

FBISDFBISDTechnology PlanTechnology Plan

At the time of the creation of the technology plan the district maintained

the following infrastructure:Approximately 230 servers running Windows NT and Windows 2000 in the Administration building.

A WAN which is connected to the Internet that maintains a constant connection to all district classrooms and offices.

FBISDFBISDTechnology PlanTechnology Plan

Every classroom has one television connected to a computer or access to a data projector for multimedia applications, internet display, and software introduction and use.

Approximately 16,000 Compaq computers available.

FBISDFBISDTechnology PlanTechnology Plan

Systems maintained by the district Technology division.

District Design Input Group for Information Technology (DIGIT) Committee will monitor and evaluate progress on the implementation of the technology plan on an annual basis.

Bidding Bidding ProcessProcessFile Description of Services

Requested and Certification Form (Form 470) to begin competitive process.

Ensure an open and fair competitive bidding process for specific products.

Bidding Bidding ProcessProcess

When the Form 470 is filed, USAC will make it available to interested service providers by posting it to the USAC website.

Select Select ProviderProviderSelect the most cost-effective provider of the desired products or services eligible for support, with price as the primary

factor (does not have to be sole factor).

The provider selection process must observe the following guidelines:28 Day Waiting PeriodFair Bid EvaluationContract GuidanceDocument Retention

Select Select ProviderProvider Wait at least 28 days after the

posting of Form 470 on USAC's website before executing any contracts, selecting a service provider, or signing and submitting the Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471).

Applicants and service providers must meet all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state contract requirements.

Select Select ProviderProviderApplicants must save all documentation

pertaining to the competitive bidding process and vendor selection for five years.

Calculate Calculate DiscountDiscountDiscount Matrix used to determine the correct

discount level for an individual school or library outlet.

INCOME Measured by % of

students eligible for the National School

Lunch Program

URBAN LOCATION Discount

RURAL LOCATION Discount

If the % of students in your school that qualifies for the

National School Lunch Program is...

...and you are in an URBAN area, your discount will be...

...and you are in a RURAL area, your discount will be...

Less than 1% 20% 25%

1% to 19% 40% 50%

20% to 34% 50% 60%

35% to 49% 60% 70%

50% to 74% 80% 80%

75% to 100% 90% 90%

Eligible Eligible ServicesServices

Eligibility is based on criteria established by statute and FCC

rules, and applicants may request discounts in the areas

of Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal

Connections, Basic Maintenance of Internal connections.

Eligible Eligible ServicesServicesTelecommunications Telecommunications

Services ServicesInternet AccessInternet Access

Digital Transmission Services

PagingTelephone ServiceTelephone Service

Components

Distance Learning and Video Conferencing

E-mail Service Internet AccessWeb Hosting

Eligible Eligible ServicesServicesInternal ConnectionsInternal Connections Basic Maintenance of Basic Maintenance of

Internal ConnectionsInternal ConnectionsCabling/ConnectorsCircuit

Cards/ComponentsData DistributionData Protection Interfaces, Gateways,

and AntennasServersSoftwareStorage DevicesVideo Components

Maintenance and Technical Support of Internal Connections

Application Application SubmissionSubmission

The Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471) is used to assure that schools and libraries receive

appropriate USF support, comply with eligibility requirements, and take

steps to use the supported services effectively.

Application Application SubmissionSubmission

May be filed online or on paper.Must be certified by an authorized person to be considered complete. Must be postmarked or submitted online prior to the close of the application filing window for the funding year.

Application Application Review Review

Funding DecisionFunding DecisionReviewed to ensure that USF support is committed only for eligible products and services as well as eligible uses by eligible entities

Following application review, USAC issues one or more Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) to both the applicant and the service provider(s).

&&

Verify the start date of services and submit a Receipt of Service Confirmation Form (Form 486).

Technology plans must be approved before services start or before the applicant certifies the Form 486.

Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA),certifications are made on either Form 486 or Form 479.

Begin Receipt of Begin Receipt of ServicesServices

After eligible services have been delivered, service providers and school and library

applicants may submit invoices for Universal Service Fund (USF) support.

Invoice USACInvoice USAC

ConclusionConclusionE-Rate Program:National program that provides funding for schools and libraries.

Funding is requested under four categories of service.

Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services.http://www.universalservice.org/sl/about/overview-program.aspx