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E-Rate for LibrariesDonna Mattingly, E-Rate CentralGreg Weisiger, E-Rate Central

AgendaWhat is E-Rate? E-Rate Categories of Service E-Rate Timeline Technology Planning Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA) Applying for E-Rate Form 470 (Example) E-Rate Resources Questions?2[Please indicate your answer in the poll at right]

Have you applied for E-rate?Yes, in the past yearYes, in the past 3 yearsMy library has, but I haven't been a part of the application processNo, never applied

Poll QuestionWhat is E-Rate?Discounts on telecommunications, Internet Access, Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections

Schools and libraries are eligible

Discounts range from 2090%, the amount of discount depends on the level of poverty and location of the school or library (urban or rural) receiving services

Average discount for libraries is about 70%

Funding comes from the Universal Service Fees on your telephone bills

Regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)

4What can E-Rate mean to my library?

E-Rate Categories of ServicesPriority One (P1) - Telecommunications ServicesExamples:Local and Long Distance serviceCellular ServiceText messagingWeb browsingBroadband Telecommunications, including service to Bookmobiles Interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)Taxes and feesInstallation and configuration

Priority One (P1) - Internet AccessExamples:E-mail ServiceWireless Internet Access for cell phonesBroadband Internet Access (From DSL to Ethernet)Web HostingVoIP

E-Rate Categories of Service

Priority Two (P2) Internal Connections & Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections

Examples of Internal Connections:Support for equipment and cabling on-site that transport information to classrooms or public rooms of a libraryDoes NOT include end-user components such as computersSubject to the Two-in-Five RuleEntities can only receive funding every two out of five years

Examples of Basic Maintenance:Repair and upkeep of eligible hardwareWire and cable maintenanceBasic technical support

NOTE: Only highest discount libraries will qualify for P2

E-rate Categories of ServicesE-Rate Timeline for 2011Fund Year: July 1, 2011 June 30, 2012Requirements for FY 2011 and beyond:

No longer required for Priority One Services; Telecommunications and Internet Access

Required for Priority Two Services; Internal Connections and Basic Maintenance

Four required elements: Clear Goals, Needs Assessment, Staff Development, EvaluationTechnology Plan

Childrens Internet Protection Act (CIPA)Requirements of CIPA

Technology Protection Measure, Filter Internet Access:images of child pornography (illegal)visual depictions that are obscene (local norms)harmful to minors (local norms)

Internet Safety Policy must address: Minors access to inappropriate materialsafety and security of minors when onlineunauthorized access and unlawful activities by minors onlinedisclosure and dissemination of minors personal information protection measure (filter)

Public Notice and Hearing

CIPA Compliance only required for Internet Access and P2 fundingApplying for E-rateObtain a Billed Entity Number (BEN):Call the SLD at 1-888-203-8100

Obtain a registration number from the FCC (FCC RN):https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do

Apply online Form 470 and 471:http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp

Form 470: Who I Am and What I WantThe Who I Am and What I Want form begins the competitive process:

Must be filed by the entity that is able to negotiate and sign contracts on behalf of the school or libraryIdentify and describe your desired categories of service and the function of the servicesNotify potential bidders (service providers) of the types and quantities of services that you need Follow all applicable state and local procurement lawsWait 28 days after the Form 470 is posted to the USAC website or after public availability of your Request for Proposals (RFP), whichever is later, before selecting a vendor or executing a contract

Your Form Identifier

XX

XX

X

X

X

Billed Entity Number (BEN) from SLD

XXXPriority 1 services only

XXXX

XXXNext Steps after the Form 470Wait 28 days after the Form 470 is posted

Keep all incoming bids/correspondence with bidders and prepare to evaluate bids equallyPrice as the primary factor when evaluating bids, the price of E-Rate eligible services must be the most heavily-weighted factor in your evaluation of bids

Sample Evaluation Sheet:Price of the ELIGIBLE goods and services 30%Prior experience25%Personnel qualifications20%State, Cooperative, GSA Master Contract 15%Local Vendor10%TOTAL 100%

Calculate the librarys Discount Level using local school Free and Reduced Lunch figures

Submit Form 471 by March 24, 2011 deadlineKeys to SuccessStart early little issues can slow you downPlan a strategySave everything a good filing system goes a long wayAsk questions, use E-rate resourcesAttend the Form 471 webinar on March 15th

E-Rate Central, Donna M. Mattingly dmattingly@e-ratecentral.com (804) 302-4406

E-Rate Central, Greg Weisiger erate1@aol.com (804) 302-4406

E-Rate Central Website: http://www.e-ratecentral.com/default.asp

Universal Service Administrative Company: http://www.universalservice.org/sl

Federal Communications Commission: http://www.fcc.gov

E-Rate State Coordinators: http://www.e-ratecentral.com/us/default.asp

E-Rate ResourcesQuestions?

32Stay InvolvedMarch 15 WebinarE-rate: Form 471 and Beyond! On WebJunctionwebjunction.org/techplan-erateCrossroads (monthly newsletter)webjunction.org/crossroads Eventswebjunction.org/events/webinarsThank you everyone for coming to todays webinar. I will send an email out afterwards with links to the archive, more resources and where the post-webinar discussion will be occurring. I have pushed out a survey that I hope you will have time to take. We really appreciate your feedback on our webinar series.