First

The process of effectively leveraging E-rate funding can be overwhelming, but C2Dinc is positioned with the experience and resources to help you successfully apply for this funding. If you would like further information, please contact us directly and a E-rate expert will be happy to help.

NOTE: C2DInc is available to assist applicants with general questions and inquiries about the E-rate program. The information we provide is required to be impartial so as not to interfere with the competitive bidding process

E-Rate Eligibility

The following entities are eligible for E-rate discounts: elementary and secondary public schools, nonprofit elementary and secondary parochial and private schools(with endowments under $50 million), public libraries, and many private nonprofit libraries accessible to the public.

The following matrix shows how schools and libraries can benefit from the E-rate program:

INCOME	URBAN LOCATION	RURAL LOCATION
Measured by % of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program	Discount	Discount
If the % of students in a school that qualifies for the National School Lunch Program is...	...and the school is located in an URBAN area, the discount will be...	...and the school is located in a RURAL area, the discount will be...
Less than 1%	20%	25%
1% to 19%	40%	50%
20% to 34%	50%	60%
35% to 49%	60%	70%
50% to 74%	80%	80%
75% to 100%	90%	90%

All eligible products and services under the E-rate program fall into one of three categories: "Telecommunications," "Internet Access," and "Internal Connections."  Both the "Telecommunications" and "Internet Access" categories are considered Priority One services and are fully funded every year.

Applying for E-Rate Discounts for "Email" and/or "Web Hosting" Service

In order to receive E-rate funds, applicants must file three separate forms annually with the SLD. A basic overview of the process is outlined below.

STEP 1: File a Form 470 (Roughly July through January)

The first step in applying for E-rate funds is to submit a Form 470 which describes the services your school or district is interested in purchasing. The services you are requesting should reflect the goals and priorities outlined in your technology plan. Your completed Form 470 will be available to service providers so they can provide a quote for services and follow up with additional questions.

If you wish to receive a proposal from C2DInc or from other vendors providing similar services, simply check Box 9 (Internet Access) and enter "Email Service" and "Web Hosting Service" along with the total number of users and school sites you wish to cover.

FORM 470

In addition, it is generally advised that you click both boxes in Block 2, Item 7b, to indicate that you will consider multi-year contracts or contracts that contain a voluntary extension option. By clicking these boxes, you will have the option of utilizing one of these types of contracts if you should decide to do so.  After filing a Form 470, you must then wait 28 days before moving on to Step 2. This 28-day waiting period allows vendors to bid on the services you've requested.  During this time, you are obligated to consider any and all proposals that you may receive from vendors. Applicants should evaluate each proposal using a well documented process.

STEP 2: File a Form 471 (Roughly December through mid-February)

Once 28 days have passed since you submitted your Form 470, you may then sign a contract with the vendor you have chosen. We strongly recommend your contract should contain a contingency clause that nullifies the agreement should your E-rate funding not come through for whatever reason.  You will need to sign a contract with that vendor BEFORE you file your form 471. Once a contract has been signed, you can then file a Form 471 which details all of the services you've chosen to implement and names all of the vendors that will be performing the work.

FORM 471

In naming vendors on a Form 471, you will need to provide their E-rate Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN). C2DInc's SPIN is: 143030373

PIA Reviews (Ongoing)

Almost all applicants will receive questions from one or more reviewers at the SLD. These reviewers work on a team called Program Integrity Assurance (PIA).   Their job is to review applications and ask questions to clarify information or to gather additional information from the applicant. It is critical that you respond to any and all requests from the PIA team in a timely manner. If you fail to do so, your application is in jeopardy of being denied. If you need more time to answer any questions, you can always request an extension.

FCDLs Issued (Ongoing)

Once the PIA team has reviewed your Form 471 and funds have been allocated for that program year, you will then receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) specifying which components of your application have been funded and which have been denied. If your funding request has been approved, you may then begin to implement services.

If your application has been denied, you will have 60 days to appeal that decision.

STEP 3: File a Form 486 (July and Beyond)

Once you receive an FCDL approval and service has begun, you must then file a Form 486 which informs the SLD that disbursement of funds can begin.

Bid Evaluation

According to the Schools and Libraries (SLD) Web site, applicants are required to consider all bids received and to evaluate those bids based on a clearly documented process.  The SLD requires that price of the eligible products and services are the primary factor and given more weight than any other category when evaluating bids.  However, price does not have to be the sole factor considered. The SLD encourages applicants to create a matrix to use when evaluating bids.

Below is a sample matrix provided by the SLD:

Factor	Weight
Price	30%
Prior Experience	25%
Personnel Qualifications	20%
Management Capability	15%
Environmental Objectives	10%
Total	100%

Additional information can be found at: http://www.universalservice.org/sl/applicants/step04/construct-evaluation.aspx

Getting Help With E-Rate

From the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD):

The SLD's Client Service Bureau is available to answer questions about the E-rate program as well as the application process.  Their toll-free number is 1-888-203-8100 and their toll free fax question line is 1-888-276-8736.  You may also obtain documents using the SLD's toll-free fax on demand service at 1-800-959-0733.

For all the up-to-date information on the E-rate and to file applications online, visit the SLD's Web site at:ww.sl.universalservice.org

From C2DInc:

C2DInc will provide as much E-rate assistance as allowed under program rules. Our staff can only provide general guidance on these rules and the application process; we cannot under any circumstances assist in areas such as filing the Form 470 or the competitive bid process. Once you have chosen a vendor, however, that vendor can then assist with the remaining aspects of the process.