[MLTI-MS] Time to Post E-Rate Form 470

[Brown, Laura]

Please email all questions related to this subject directly to Janet McKenney at janet.mckenney at maine.gov or Sylvia K. Norton at sylvia.k.norton at maine.gov 
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Time to Post E-Rate Form 470
 
If your library or school applies for E-Rate discounts for telephone services (local, long distance, cellular, etc.) or other E-Rate eligible services, it is now time to prepare and post the Form 470.  You may fill out the Form 470 online at:  http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp
 
The Form 470 is a "service request form" which informs vendors that you want bids for services. It must be posted at the USAC/SLD website for at least 28 days before you can go ahead and select a phone company (or other vendor) and continue with the E-rate process by completing the next required form, Form 471.  Do not sign a contract for services before the 28 day period is over!
 
This year the Form 471 must be completed by February 7th, 2008 which means January 10th is the last day you can complete a Form 470.
 
Please do not wait until the last minute!  

We encourage you to file the Form 470 prior to the December holidays to allow plenty of time to evaluate any bids and get the Form 471 done.  

We also recommend that you use wording from the eligible services list when filling out all E-rate forms.  The list is available in PDF format at:  http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-182A2.pdf

Technology Plan Reminder:  
If you get your Internet through MSLN, do E-Rate for ATM, or apply for any Priority 2 services, and your current technology plan does not cover the 12 months of Funding Year 2008 (July 1, 2008 - June 2009), a technology plan must be developed prior to the submission of the Form 470.  New plans will need to be approved prior to the start of services (July 1, 2008).  Most schools and libraries do need a technology plan.

Training Will Be Offered via ATM, Webinars, Conference Calls:
We will be offering training to anyone who may want to apply for E-rate discounts for the first time or who just wants a refresher. Training will be done via a series of webinars (live and archived) and ATM sessions. We will also schedule an introductory and informational conference call session during the first week in December. We will post times and dates of training in the next few days. 

Sign Up for the New Maine E-rate Listserv: 
Although we will continue to post reminders to MELIBS, MEINFO, ACTEM and MSLNTC, the ERATE-MAINE listserv will offer additional notices and information about E-Rate.  You may subscribe to the ERATE-MAINE listserv at the Maine State Library/Department of Education E-Rate website: http://www.maine.gov/msl/erate/ 
 
If you need more information on E-Rate forms and deadlines, please email your questions to: 

Janet McKenney, Public Library and MSLN E-rate Coordinator, janet.mckenney at maine.gov 

OR

Sylvia K. Norton, School E-Rate Coordinator, sylvia.k.norton at maine.gov