The document provides an overview of the E-Rate program which provides discounts for telecommunications, internet access, and networking equipment for schools and libraries. It details the eligible services, application process, technology plan requirements, bidding process, and discount calculation. Key details include that funding can be used for telecom services, internet access, internal connections, and maintenance. Applicants must follow a competitive bidding process and discounts range from 20-90% based on poverty levels and location of the schools/libraries.

2. AGENDA

3. What is E-Rate? The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (USF), known as "E-Rate," administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the FCC, provides discounts to assist most schools and libraries in the US to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access.

4. E-Rate Funding Funding is requested under four categories of service: Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections.

5. Application Process

6. Who is Eligible? Federal and state laws determine eligibility of schools , school districts, and libraries .

7. Who is Eligible? Schools: Provide elementary or secondary education as determined under state law. Public or private institutional day or residential schools, or public charter schools. Operate as non-profit businesses. Cannot have an endowment exceeding $20 million.

8. Who is Eligible? Libraries: Eligible for assistance from a state library administrative agency under that Act. Have budgets completely separate from any schools. Cannot operate as for-profit businesses.

9. Technology Plan Application process begins with Technology Assessment & Technology plan. Technology Plan designed to improve education or library services should cover the entire funding year (July 1 to June 30) but not more than three years.

10. Technology Plan Approved by a USAC-certified Technology Plan approver before discounted services can begin. State is certified Technology Plan approver for libraries and public schools.

11. Technology Plan Must contain Five elements: Goals and realistic strategy for using telecommunications and information technology. A professional development strategy. An assessment of telecommunication services, hardware, software, and other services needed.

12. Technology Plan Five Elements contd’: Budget resources. Ongoing evaluation process.

13. FBISD Technology Plan Created to serve the needs of fifty-nine campuses with a combined enrollment of nearly sixty thousand students. Over twenty-three percent of student body was economically disadvantaged at the time of the creation of the plan.

14. FBISD Technology Plan The district provides professional development opportunities through workshops and classes that address specific Technology Applications TEKS responsibilities by grade level and additional district courses created by district personnel.

15. FBISD Technology Plan At the time of the creation of the technology plan the district maintained the following infrastructure: Approximately 230 servers running Windows NT and Windows 2000 in the Administration building. A WAN which is connected to the Internet that maintains a constant connection to all district classrooms and offices.

16. FBISD Technology Plan Every classroom has one television connected to a computer or access to a data projector for multimedia applications, internet display, and software introduction and use. Approximately 16,000 Compaq computers available.

17. FBISD Technology Plan Systems maintained by the district Technology division. District Design Input Group for Information Technology (DIGIT) Committee will monitor and evaluate progress on the implementation of the technology plan on an annual basis.

18. Bidding Process File Description of Services Requested and Certification Form (Form 470) to begin competitive process. Ensure an open and fair competitive bidding process for specific products.

19. Bidding Process When the Form 470 is filed, USAC will make it available to interested service providers by posting it to the USAC website.

20. Select Provider Select the most cost-effective provider of the desired products or services eligible for support, with price as the primary factor (does not have to be sole factor). The provider selection process must observe the following guidelines: 28 Day Waiting Period Fair Bid Evaluation Contract Guidance Document Retention

21. Select Provider Wait at least 28 days after the posting of Form 470 on USAC's website before executing any contracts, selecting a service provider, or signing and submitting the Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471). Applicants and service providers must meet all Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and state contract requirements.

22. Select Provider Applicants must save all documentation pertaining to the competitive bidding process and vendor selection for five years.

23. Calculate Discount Discount Matrix used to determine the correct discount level for an individual school or library outlet. INCOME Measured by % of students eligible for the National School Lunch Program URBAN LOCATION Discount RURAL LOCATION Discount If the % of students in your school that qualifies for the National School Lunch Program is... ...and you are in an URBAN area, your discount will be... ...and you are in a RURAL area, your 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%

24. Eligible Services Eligibility is based on criteria established by statute and FCC rules, and applicants may request discounts in the areas of Telecommunications Services, Internet Access, Internal Connections, Basic Maintenance of Internal connections.

25. Eligible Services Telecommunications Services Internet Access Digital Transmission Services Paging Telephone Service Telephone Service Components Distance Learning and Video Conferencing E-mail Service Internet Access Web Hosting

26. Eligible Services Internal Connections Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections Cabling/Connectors Circuit Cards/Components Data Distribution Data Protection Interfaces, Gateways, and Antennas Servers Software Storage Devices Video Components Maintenance and Technical Support of Internal Connections

27. Application Submission The Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471) is used to assure that schools and libraries receive appropriate USF support, comply with eligibility requirements, and take steps to use the supported services effectively.

28. Application Submission May be filed online or on paper. Must be certified by an authorized person to be considered complete. Must be postmarked or submitted online prior to the close of the application filing window for the funding year.

29. Application Review Funding Decision Reviewed to ensure that USF support is committed only for eligible products and services as well as eligible uses by eligible entities Following application review, USAC issues one or more Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) to both the applicant and the service provider(s). &

30. Begin Receipt of Services Verify the start date of services and submit a Receipt of Service Confirmation Form (Form 486). Technology plans must be approved before services start or before the applicant certifies the Form 486. Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) , certifications are made on either Form 486 or Form 479.

31. Invoice USAC After eligible services have been delivered, service providers and school and library applicants may submit invoices for Universal Service Fund (USF) support.

32. Conclusion E-Rate Program: National program that provides funding for schools and libraries. Funding is requested under four categories of service. Discounts for support depend on the level of poverty and the urban/rural status of the population served and range from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services. http://www.universalservice.org/sl/about/overview-program.aspx