• Applicants
  • Step 1: Determine Eligibility
  • Step 2: Develop a Technology Plan
  • Step 3: Open a Competitive Bidding Process
  • Step 4: Select a Service Provider
  • Step 5: Calculate the Discount Level
  • Step 6: Determine Your Eligible Services
  • Step 7: Submit Your Application for Program Support
  • Step 8: Undergo Application Review
  • Step 9: Receive Your Funding Decision
  • Step 10: Begin Receipt of Services
  • Step 11: Invoice USAC
• Service Providers
  • Step 1: Obtain a Service Provider Identification Number
  • Step 2: Search Applicant Requests for Service
  • Step 3: Respond to Applicant Requests
  • Step 4: Applicants Select Service Provider
  • Step 5: Assist Applicants with Application Review
  • Step 6: Receive Funding Commitment Decision Letter
  • Step 7: Begin Providing Services
  • Step 8: File Annual Certification
  • Step 9: Invoice USAC

About the Schools and Libraries Program:

• Overview of the Program
• Overview of the Process
• Outreach and Training
• Video Tutorials
• Training Sessions
• Service Provider Conference Calls
• Prior Year Wave Information
• HATS Outreach
• Schools & Libraries News Briefs
• HATS Outreach
• Filing Appeals
• Understanding Audits

Schools and Libraries Tools:

• Apply Online
• Commitments
• Submit a Question
• Latest News
• Calendar/Reminders
• Required Forms
• Reference Area
• Search Tools
• Changes and Corrections
• Suspensions and Debarments
• Contact Us

Agenda for May 6, 2010

Service Provider Conference Call Agenda

May 6, 2010 – 3:00 PM EDT

Call in number: (888) 453-8320
Pass code: 1390177#

IF YOUR SYSTEM PLAYS MUSIC OR ADVERTISEMENTS WHEN YOU PUT A CALL ON HOLD, PLEASE DO NOT PUT THE CONFERENCE CALL ON HOLD. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE CALL WAITING, PLEASE CHECK TO BE SURE THE FIRST CALL IS NOT LEFT WITH MUSIC OR ADVERTISING. The conference operator will disconnect you if you put the conference call on hold and your system plays music or advertisements.

PLEASE USE YOUR MUTE BUTTON IF YOU ARE NOT ASKING A QUESTION. If you don't have a mute button, you can hit *6 to mute or unmute your telephone.

A.	Funding Commitments for FY2009
B.	Update on Electronic Payments for BEAR Forms
C.	Update on Service Provider Training
D.	Service Provider Assistance with Item 21 Attachments
E.	Invoicing Update
F.	Other
G.	General Questions Received by E-mail We have received guidance from the Client Services Bureau that if an applicant prepays before the funding year starts or outside the funding year, they will not be reimbursed. But there may be instances in which a service provider needs a deposit at contract signing, or reimbursement is sought only after the funding year closes. We have found no information on the USAC website describing restrictions for when payments may be made (only for when services can be delivered), and therefore this seems like a "gotcha" where E-rate constituents attempt to follow program rules but USAC has additional requirements that are not known to the greater E-rate community. Is prepayment prohibited by FCC rules? Does a payment limitation exist, and, if so, what purpose is served by a USAC limitation against payments prior to or after the funding year? I do not know what forms were previously submitted for this calendar year and what forms I need to fill out to up date our information. Can a representative call me about what forms we need to fill out?

 

REMINDER: Please send your questions for the next Service Provider Conference Call using the Submit a Question link on the web site by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, May 28, 2010.

Choose "Service Provider Conference Call" from the Topic Inquiry and then choose "I would like to submit a question for the call" so that your question is routed correctly.

If your question is related to Invoicing, choose "Service Provider Conference Call" and "I have a program question pertaining to invoicing" so that your question is routed directly to our Invoicing Team.

Also, please watch the USAC WEBSITE for program updates.