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<p><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">I thought some of you might find this eRate information from USAC helpful. I recall the main branch question came up during one of our recent trainings:<o:p></o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3"><o:p> </o:p></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">Determining the Central Outlet or Main Administrative Branch of a Library</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:#0066B3"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">Libraries with outlets/branches in more than one school district must use the total student counts from the school district in which the central outlet or main administrative branch of the library is located.
For some libraries especially those in large cities identifying the building that would be considered the main branch is straightforward. However, in other situations rural areas with outlets/branches of similar size and importance, regional library
service systems, library consortia (as opposed to consortia of libraries), applicants indicate they are not sure how to determine which library outlet/branch should be considered the main branch.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">Our suggested guidance is as follows:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">1.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333">Where there is an identified and known central outlet or main library branch, use that location.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">2.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333">If no library is identified as the "main" library branch, use the library location where official library business is transacted or mail is sent. However,
note that this location cannot be a non-instructional facility.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo1">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">3.<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#333333">If neither of the two preceding options fit the situation, the library can designate one library location as the "main" library. The library should
document its rationale for designating that location as the "main" library and retain that documentation with its other program documentation so that it can be produced upon request.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";color:#0066B3">FCC Form 470 Reminders</span></strong><span style="font-size:10.5pt;color:#0066B3"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">February 26, 2015 is the last day to POST an FCC Form 470 and still have time to submit an FCC Form 471.</span></strong> If you wait to file your
FCC Form 470 until February 26, you must complete all of the following on March 26, the day the filing window closes:<o:p></o:p></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Select a service provider.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">If you are taking services under a contract, enter into a legally binding contract with that service provider (while the rules no longer require a signed contract before filing an FCC Form 471,
we recommend getting a signed contract as a best practice and as evidence of the existence of a legally binding contract).<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:#333333;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;line-height:11.25pt;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo2">
<span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Submit your FCC Form 471 online.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">We suggest that you file your FCC Form 470 as soon as possible. This will give you more time to review and prepare to file your FCC Form 471, because that form is significantly different from last year's
form. Also, if there is an issue with your FCC Form 470, you will still have time to correct the issue and if necessary file a new form.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">Below are some tips to consider before filing your FCC Form 470 and some issues we have identified with forms already filed. To the extent possible, we are reaching out to applicants that have not complied
with program rules and encouraged them to re-file their forms. However, it is the applicant's responsibility to comply with program rules.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Review the
<a href="https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-14-1556A1.pdf">FY2015 Eligible Services List (ESL)</a>.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">The eligibility of some products and services has changed for FY2015. Specifically, we are seeing FCC Forms 470 that include webhosting, which is ineligible for FY2015. We suggest that you read the FY2015
ESL carefully to determine whether the services you intend to include on your FCC Form 470 are eligible. Remember that in some cases, a cost allocation may be required on the FCC Form 471 if the products and services have both eligible and ineligible components.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Don't mail a paper FCC Form 470 to USAC.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">Going forward, FCC Forms 470 and 471 must be filed online. USAC is no longer able to process paper forms, although you can still certify forms on paper.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Provide sufficient detail on your FCC Form 470 for bidders to submit responsive bids.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">On your FCC Form 470, you must clearly describe the products and services you are requesting, so that potential bidders understand the size and scope of the project and the services being requested and
are able to submit responsive bids. Remember that there is a text field in Item 13 on the form that you can use to provide additional details.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">For example, "as needed" and "district-wide" are not sufficient descriptions of the quantity and/or capacity of the products and services you list on the FCC Form 470 unless you are also issuing a request
for proposal (RFP) where sufficient detail is provided.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">In fact, for requests that are large and/or complex, you should consider issuing an RFP. Remember that, if you issue an RFP, you must note that fact on your FCC Form 470 and provide information on where
to obtain a copy of the RFP.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Carefully consider what you want to get bids on before limiting your descriptions of services.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">For example, "Internet access not to exceed 100 Mbps" limits responsive bids to Internet access of no more than 100 Mbps. If you might want to purchase a faster service you should specify a range that includes
higher speeds. In this example, by specifying 100 Mbps, you cannot increase your speed even if the cost does not increase during the funding year or for the life of the contract, if it is longer than one funding year without posting a new FCC Form 470
and opening a new competitive bidding process.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Respond to good faith requests for information from potential bidders.</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">If bidders do not have enough information to submit responsive bids, they may send questions to you. You must respond to all such good faith requests. You or your consultant, if you have one should
respond to bidder inquiries in a timely manner so that competitive bidding deadlines can be met.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">A generic email from a service provider describing its service offerings in general terms and asking for a call-back, or an email that can be identified as "spam," would not be considered a good faith response
to an FCC Form 470 posting especially if applicants identify a specific procedure or mechanism for submitting questions (again, Item 13 is a good place to provide that information). We do suggest that applicants archive such emails in case any questions
arise.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">If an applicant responds to one potential bidders question, it must then provide the answer to that question to other potential bidders. One way to handle this would be to post all questions and answers
in a centralized way, such as on a website identified for that purpose.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal"><strong><span style="font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif"">Don't limit your requests to make and model numbers from a specific manufacturer.
</span></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">You cannot specify makes and model numbers from a specific manufacturer in an FCC Form 470 and/or an RFP without adding the words "or equivalent." Moreover, after you close your competitive bidding process,
you must evaluate all bids received, including those that provide an equivalent solution.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">For applicants requesting Basic Maintenance, you can specify makes and models to be maintained if you already have the equipment. However, if you are requesting the equipment on your FCC Form 470 and also
requesting basic maintenance on that equipment, be sure to make that clear on your form.<o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="border:none;padding:0in;font-size-adjust: none;font-stretch: normal">
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">The full new brief is online here:</span>
<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">
<a href="http://www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/">http://www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black">Take care!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62"><img border="0" width="120" height="126" id="Picture_x0020_11" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D04441.89D16970"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Mandy Knapp<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Library Consultant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">274 E. 1<sup>st</sup> Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Columbus, OH 43201<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Tel: 614-466-1710<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Toll Free:800-686-1532 (Ohio Only)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">Fax: 614-466-3584<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><a href="http://library.ohio.gov"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:blue">library.ohio.gov</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/StateLibraryOhio"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="30" height="30" id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:image002.png@01D04441.89D16970"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black">
</span></i></b><a href="http://twitter.com/statelibohio" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:blue;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="32" height="32" id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image003.png@01D04441.89D16970" alt="Description: Twitter logo - links to the State Library of Ohio's Twitter page"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> </span></i></b><a href="http://library.ohio.gov/blog/" target="_blank"><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:blue;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D04441.89D16970" alt="Description: Blog logo - Links to the State Library of Ohio's blog"></span></i></b></a><b><i><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> </span></i></b><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"> </span></b><a href="http://pinterest.com/stlibohio/"><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="31" height="31" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image005.png@01D04441.89D16970"></span></b></a><b><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><br>
</span></b><span style="color:black"><a href="http://library.ohio.gov/state-librarian/share-your-story"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:blue">Share Your Story</span></a></span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">
by </span><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic","sans-serif";color:#002E62">telling us how a
<br>
State Library service or resource helped <br>
you or your library.</span><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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