ERate for Hawaii Schools

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E-Rate for Hawaii Schools

July 19, 2000 Network Support Service Branch
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What is E-Rate?

• Created from Telecom Act of 1996, Universal
  Service Fund (USF)
• USF Provides Communities with Access to
  Affordable Telecom Services
• Administered by Schools and Libraries Division
  (SLD) of Universal Service Administrative
  Company(USAC)
• USAC directed by FCC to Administer the USF
• Federally Managed DISCOUNT Program on
  Telecommunication Related Purchases by schools
  and Libraries, NOT a grant program.

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How Much DISCOUNT?

• Annual Application Process
• Based on the Percentage of Students participating
  in Federal School Lunch Program - FREE and
  REDUCED Count
• Rage from 20 to 90 percent
• Our neighbor island school Discounts - from 50 to
  90
• School Enrollment and School lunch data Updated
  Annually

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DISCOUNT RATE (continued)

• Use Official Department Enrollment and School
  Lunch Data
• Alternate Methods to Determine the Discount Rate
  Exist, but Complex and Time Consuming
• Plays Big Factor in Getting Funds for Internal
  Connections - 1st year 70 and above, 2nd year
  all, 3rd year 90 only now

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DISCOUNT RATE TABLEHow Disadvantages?

• of Students Eligible
• School Lunch Program Urban Rural
• less Than 1 20 25
• 1 - 19 40 50
• 20 - 34 50 60
• 35 - 49 60 70
• 50 - 74 80 80
• 75 - 100 90 90
• All neighbor island schools are considered as
  rural schools.

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Eligible Services and Products

• Telecom Service
• Local Telephone Services (recurring monthly
  charges/new line installation), Long Distance
  charges, Cellular Charges, Paging Services, etc.
• Line charges for Data Network
• Internet Access
• Internal Connections Computer Servers,
  Hubs/Switches, Cabling Materials, Network
  Installation Contract, KSU, UPS, etc.
• http//www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/eligi
  ble.asp

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Application Process - Technology Plan

• Prepare Tech Plan that meets SLD Criteria
  http//www.sl.universalservice.org/apply/step2.asp
  
• Clear Educational and Technical Strategy for
  Implementing Telecommunication Technologies
• Tech Plan is not required if applying for ONLY
  Telecom Services - telephone line charges, long
  distance, cellular services, etc.

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Application Process - Technology Plan DOE
Requirements

• Preparing Tech Plan Guidelines
• 1. Goals and Strategies to Improve Education
• 2. Professional Development Strategy
• 3. Assessment of Current and Future Technology
• 4. Budget
• 5. Evaluation
• http//www.k12.hi.us/teachers/technologyresources.
  htm
• Tech Plan must be prepared, submitted to
  District/State and approved.
• Certification on Form 470 and 471

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Accurate Inventory of Technology Related Items

• Networking Status - No. buildings/Rooms Networked
  (Number of Data, Voice, Video Connections)
• Number of Computers/no. of Networked Computers
• List of Eligible Telephone Lines (paid by school)
• No. of Rooms with Telephone Connection
• List of Other Eligible Telecom Services (Long
  Distance, Cellular, Paging, etc.)

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Application Process (Form 470)

• Form 470 (Specific Service being Sought and
  Certification)
• Collects Bids from Vendors and Select Vendors
  during Minimum 28 day Period according to Local
  Procurement Laws and Rules
• Schools Use Existing Contracts
• NSSB and Procurement Office Starts Bidding
  Process Earlier
• Minimum Time Between Form 470 and Form 471 - 28
  DAYS

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Application Process (Form 471)

• Form 471 (Notification of Contracted Vendor,
  Specific Costs and Certification)
• Any Requested Item Must Have a Contract Number,
  except Telecom Services under Month-to-Month
  Contract along with Contract Start/Expiration
  Dates
• Vendors chosen must have SPIN (Service Provider
  Identification Number) Assigned by SLD
• Requires Enrollment Data, School Lunch
  Participation Data (FREE REDUCED) to Determine
  Discount Rate

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Application Process (Form 471) Continued

• Requires Networking Status - No. of Total
  Buildings/Classrooms No. of Buildings/Classrooms
  Networked, Total No. of Computers/No. of
  Computers Networked, No. of Rooms with Telephone
  Connection
• Must Attach Detailed Cost Breakdown
• May Submit ONLINE (Recommended) or on Paper

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Application Process (Form 471) Continued

• Deadline for Filing 471 (must be received by the
  SLD)
• Minimum Processing Requirements
  http//www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/471mp
  s.asp
• Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgement Letter
• Program Integrity Assurance Review
• Funding Commitment Decision Letter

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After Approval of Funds

• Telecom Services
• Start Service if new Service
• File Form 486
• Internal connections
• Prepare P.O. per instructions (http//nssb.k12.hi.
  us) and send to the vendor
• Discounted P.O. Amount
• When goods are received, File Form 486
• Vendors will get paid Directly from USAC
• Form 500 for Cancellation and Reduce Amount
• Form 472 for Reimbursement

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Current Status

• Year 3 in progress
• Funding Commitment Notice come in Wave, Wave 22
  now
• Funding all Approved Telecom Services and
  Internet Access, Only 90 discount Schools are
  getting funds for Internal Connections
• Year 4 (July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2002) Process
  Starts Mid October
• Year 4 Form 471 Window (November, 2000 to
  Mid-January 2001)

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E-Rate Resource Web Sites

• Check frequently these web sites
• http//www.sl.universalservice.org
• http//e-rate.k12.hi.us
• http//nssb.k12.hi.us