[OPLINLIST] 2015 Form 471 Deadline Approaching

Tue Apr 14 10:04:55 EDT 2015

Hi all,

A message from Lorrie Germann, State eRate Coordinator:

Good Morning E-Rate Community,

The deadline for filing Form 471 applications for FY 2015, the next funding year, is Thursday, April 16, at 11:59 p.m. EDT.  Applications completed after this deadline will be treated as being received outside the filing window and will not be funded (without a successful FCC waiver request).

For applicants who wait until Thursday to submit their Form 471s, here are a few suggestions:

  1.  Historically, USAC’s online filing system has become overloaded during the last day or two.  This is a new system this year, so more problems than usual would not be unexpected.  If last-minute problems are experienced with the SLD’s online data entry system, it is important to document that the filing had been in process when the problems developed.  In particular:
     *   Periodic screen printouts are recommended — particularly of the screen that appears early in the filing process displaying the Form 471 number and security code.  It is also important to call the SLD’s help line (888-203-8100) to report problems.  The help line will remain open one-half hour past the 11:59 p.m. EDT deadline.  If you call with a filing problem, make sure you retain the assigned Case Number.
     *   Clearing your cache is particularly important if working on more than one application.
     *   Use one of the recommended browsers.  USAC’s official advice is to use Internet Explorer versions 9 or 10 or the most current version of Firefox or Chrome if you have a Windows operating system.  If you are using a Mac, use the most current version of Safari.
     *   Use the “Review Application” feature before submitting your application.  In some cases it is necessary to expand the four sections of the application in the review mode before the “Submit Application” button can be activated.

  1.  Remember that all Form 471s should be certified by the deadline.  If the application is not certified online using a PIN, the certification must be printed out, signed and dated, and submitted by the deadline.  If the application is submitted online and on time, but not certified, USAC has historically provided a reminder and a second chance to do so.  If at all possible, please do not rely on this second chance as it will delay application review.

  1.  When mailing a Form 471 certification to the SLD, document the postmark date.  If using an express mailing service (e.g., FedEx), the electronic pickup date in the tracking system serves as the “postmark.”  Make sure you know the time of the latest express mail pickup in your area.

If using the U.S. Postal Service, use certified mail and make sure the certification is time-stamped before the 11:59 p.m. EDT deadline.

Alternatively, a Form 471 certification may be faxed to the SLD at 888‑276-8736.  If a fax is used, make sure to print and retain a time- and date-stamped fax confirmation report showing the successful transmission of all three pages.

  1.  Any Form 470 referenced in a Form 471 must also be signed and certified to be valid.  Applicants who filed a Form 470 online a month or two ago, but who did not electronically certify it online, should make sure that their paper certification pages have been submitted.

The easiest way to confirm that a specific Form 470 has been certified is to use the Form 470 Search Posted<http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/Form470Expert/Search_FundYear_Select.aspx> feature on the SLD website.  The first section of a posted Form 470 should show a Certification Received Date.  If this field is blank, and you just mailed the certification, make sure that you can document the postmark date.  If you mailed the certification a while ago, and the field is still blank, you should resubmit it.

If you have questions, or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.  I will be available 7:00 am – 10:00pm today and tomorrow, and 7:00am – 12:00am on Thursday.

Sincerely,

Lorrie

Lorrie Germann
State E-Rate Coordinator
Office of Information Technology

25 South Front Street | Mail Stop 619 | Columbus, Ohio 43215-4183
614.466.3413
614.406.4398 Cell

lorrie.germann at education.ohio.gov<mailto:lorrie.germann at education.ohio.gov>
education.ohio.gov<http://education.ohio.gov/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDefaultPage.aspx?page=1>

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PLEASE NOTE: This message and any response to it may constitute a public record, and therefore may be available upon request in accordance with Ohio public records law. (ORC 149.43)

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