[OPLINTECH] PLEASE NOTE: March 4 deadline for Form 470 (Fwd: Upcoming E-Rate FY2026 Form 470/Form 471 Deadline Reminders)

[Christine Morris]

Greetings,

Here are some very important E-Rate reminders from Lorrie Germann.

*The most important reminder: * *this Wednesday, March 4 is **the absolute
last day to file Form 470 for services this funding year.*

Questions? Please reach out!

Best wishes,

Christine
--
Christine Morris (she/her)
Digital Resources Manager
Ohio Public Library Information Network
christine at oplin.ohio.gov
614-728-5252 (OPLIN Support)
614-728-0227 (direct)


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lorrie Germann <e-rate at ohio-k12.help>
Subject: Upcoming E-Rate FY2026 Form 470/Form 471 Deadline Reminders


Good Morning E-Rate Community,

This is a reminder that the FY 2026 Form 471 Application Filing Window,
which officially opened at noon on January 21st, closes on *April 1st,
2026, at 11:59 pm*! The Form 471 is the application that applicants submit
to the E-Rate Administrator (USAC) to request E-Rate funding. It is also
the form where we provide details such as specific services/equipment,
bandwidth, and quantities, selected service providers, discount rate,
costs, and the Form 470 used to competitively bid the service/equipment.

I*f you haven’t yet posted your Form 470 for services that must be
competitively bid for FY 2026, you still have a little time left, but not
much. With the Form 471 deadline of April 1, the last possible date to file
the Form 470 is March 4th at 11:59 pm allowing you to meet the required
28-day bidding period! *

~ *You can file the Form 471 now (no need to wait!) if:*

   - You are already in a multi-year contract
   - Your current contract allows for a voluntary extension at least
   through 6/30/2027
   - Your procurement is completed for FY 2026, and your contract has been
   signed
   - You’re using the CABIO option
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiZWQwNzU1MzNlYTE1IixmYWxzZV0>



*Reminders Before Starting Form 471*

*Contract Records:* If you have signed a new contract for FY 2026, a new
Contract Record must be created in EPC prior to starting the Form 471. If
you are submitting a Form 471 FRN for FY 2026 based on a multi-year
contract for which you created a Contract Record in EPC in a previous year,
you should NOT create a new Contract Record for FY 2026 – just cite that
same contract record that’s in your Contract Module when prompted to do so
in the Form 471.

*EPC Profile Updates*: School and library EPC profiles have now been
“locked down,” and no further changes can be made in EPC. If you need to
make changes to your school or library’s EPC profiles, enter the
information in the narrative of each funding request. For the final version
of the MR-81 document referencing the October 2025 enrollment and NLSP
counts, go to
October-2025-FY2026-Data-for-Free-and-Reduced-Price-Meal-Eligibility.
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiM2E5YjY5NmRiZmI2IixmYWxzZV0>
You
should then submit a RAL Correction in EPC immediately after submitting
your 471, explaining the changes to be made. During the review of your 471,
PIA will work with you to process the entity profile update. For
instructions on filing RAL corrections, go to FCC Form 471 - RAL Corrections
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiMmRhOTMxOTBkY2VhIixmYWxzZV0>.


*Form 471 Training Guides*: If needed, here are the links for the FY2026
Form 471 step-by-step filing guides, including instructions on creating new
contract records.
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiOWVhYzVlOWRmODhmIixmYWxzZV0>

   - FY2026 E-Rate Form 471 - Category 1 Workshop
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiOWVhYzVlOWRmODhmIixmYWxzZV0>
   - FY2026 E-Rate Form 471 - Category 2 Workshop
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiZjBjMmFkYmE2Y2FiIixmYWxzZV0>
   - FY2026 E-Rate Form 471 - Category 1 Workshop - For Libraries
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiMDlkN2M4ZTM1MDMyIixmYWxzZV0>
   - FY2026 E-Rate Form 471 - Category 2 Workshop - For Libraries
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiMjZjMGZjMWNhNGNjIixmYWxzZV0>



If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me.

Sincerely,

Lorrie
*Lorrie Germann*
State E-Rate Coordinator
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce
lorrie.germann at education.ohio.gov
740-253-1153
https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjc3IiwiMzc4MWFhMjg4YTg4IixmYWxzZV0>
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