Rural Health Care
About Rural Health Care:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Monthly Conference Calls
- Individual Outreach
- Understanding Audits
- Training Events
- Filing Appeals
- Rural Health Care Pilot Program
Rural Health Care Tools:
Step 3: 28-day Competitive Bidding Requirement
The posting date, the date on which USAC posts an applicant's Description of Services Requested and Certification Form (FCC Form 465), starts the 28-day competitive bidding process.
All HCPs seeking support must complete the 28-day posting requirement before entering into an agreement to purchase services.
In addition to posting an FCC Form 465 on the USAC website, a health care provider may choose to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for telecommunications or Internet services. Issuing an RFP does not exempt a health care provider from the requirement to post a Form 465 on the USAC website or to wait 28 days before contracting for services.
Service providers may contact health care providers directly to negotiate rates and conditions for providing service. USAC is not involved in contract negotiations between health care providers and service providers.
An HCP may contact service providers after the FCC Form 465 has been posted on the USAC website to discuss its needs with service providers serving its area. However, no HCP may enter into an agreement to purchase services with a service provider until after the 28 day competitive bidding period has been completed.
HCP's that enter into an agreement to obtain services before the 28-day posting period is completed or signing a Funding Request and Certification Form (Form 466) before the 28-day posting period is completed will be ineligible to receive support.
