1
ATT – Kris Gautier and Gayle Price
BCI – Mary Tucker and Kirk Cockrell
Cspire – Janice Fitzgerald and Jennifer Hinman
HOWARD COMPUTERS – John Harper
INLINE – Tricia Dalton and Derrick Lindsey
Logista – Bertram Jenkins
Office Automation - Kitty Freeman
SAMAC – Shannon Greer
SYNERGETICS – Kay Hall
TELEPAK – Millie Rodabough and Katie Carpenter
VENTURE – Debra Stuart
2
Deja vu
Something that very few people know the true meaning of. Even
though deja vu is French for "already seen", it actually is used to
describe the strange feeling you get when you're in a situation, and feel
like you've been in the exact same situation before, but really haven't.
Most people think it means the same thing happening twice, which is
wrong.
Yogi Berra:
" It's deja vu all over again"
3
How many of you are at this point?
I am giving e-rate to you, my
friend. No need to thank me.
4
What I don’t like about e-rate.
What I need help with.
Frustrated?
Angry?
Confused?
5
Mississippi E-rate
as of October 23, 2013
We are currently in our 16th year of the program and are
now entering our 17th year of the program
• Committed dollars, including FY2012:
• Average $ per student, per year:
$523,347,545.83
$65.42
(Assuming Student Count of 500,000)
• Statewide Average $ per year:
$34,889,836.39
6
Mississippi E-rate
as of October 23, 2013
$100,000,000
$90,000,000
$80,000,000
$70,000,000
$60,000,000
$50,000,000
$40,000,000
$30,000,000
$20,000,000
$10,000,000
$0
Pre-Discount
Requested
Funded
FY 2011
FY 2012
FY 2013
7
What can we expect in FY 2014?
NPRM?
• We don’t know what is going
to come out of that box.
• Will we get increased
funding?
• Should you even apply for
P2?
• If you have IC project, then
budget as if there were no erate funding…just to be safe.
8
What can we expect in FY 2014
Funding Cap of $2,338,786,577
This is P1 only!
Funding Year
Total P1 Demand
% Increase from
Previous Year
Demand VS Cap
(Shortage of funds)
2012
$2,444,087,363
12.5%
-$105,300,786
2013
$2,737,377,846
10.9%
-$398,591,269
2014
$3,052,176,298
11.5% projected
-$713,389,721
9
Talk within the FCC
•
•
•
•
•
Support for:
Changes to Discount Matrix
District-wide discount
Networking becoming P1,
especially WAPs (FY2014?)
More consortia applicants
Multi-year 471
Not much support for:
• Additional funding
• Continuation of Maintenance
• Continuation of Voice Services
• Purchase of fiber
• Mobile learning
• Per Student Cap
10
FCC Commissioner Jessica
Rosenworcel regarding E-rate 2.0
“Today's rulemaking sets out some capacity goals that I have
proposed in the past--and fully support. By the 2015 school
year, every school should have access to 100 Megabits per
1000 students. Before the end of the decade, every school
should have access to 1 Gigabit per 1000 students. Libraries,
too, will need access on par with these capacity goals. And this
provides more than just scale for content and device providers.
Because the spillover effect for this kind of broadband in local
communities is substantial. Building Gigabit capacity to anchor
institutions like schools and libraries is the ticket to Gigabit
cites and the ticket to digital education and economic growth.”
11
USAC October Board Meeting
1. Window will open on or after January 8th
depending on IT readiness
2. FY2013, denied at 89% and below
3. $272 million (+ $400 m rollover) available for P2,
with a $1.76 b request for P2 at 90% discount
4. 1000 Comments filed for NPRM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
412 – increase funds
300 –support broadband capacity goals
225 – suggested streamlining
116 – suggested discount matrix modifications
100 – suggested improvements to competitive bidding
12
ITS State Master Contracts
13
Using ITS Single Award Contracts
• For Single Award Contracts, there is only one
provider
– ATT (4000-1): WAN services, In-State LD, Out of State
LD, POTS, Centrex, Voice Mail, MIS, WAN Equipment
– Cspire (RFP3489): Cellular and Data
• Do you have to solicit quotes?
– Yes, get them early, and get them often
14
Education Super Highway
Median
$5
Internet
$19
School Connectivity
$7.73
$25
1 gig MIS, 1 gig to district, and 1 gig to school
15
Your Own Procurement/Bidding
Process
InLine
Here!
Telepak
Here!
Comcast
Here!
AT&T
Here!
16
You want to purchase something.
1.
Verify that it is in your tech plan.
a.
2.
Check with potential vendors to see what your options are to meet your
needs
a.
3.
Verify what your particular district rules are regarding procurements
Sign the contract
a.
7.
8.
Price is primary determining factor, but does not have to be the only factor
Take it to you Board for approval
a.
6.
28 days starts after RFP or 470, whichever is later
Be sure to follow State Procurement rules
Evaluate your responses
a.
5.
You cannot work with just one provider
Write your RFP and then post your 470 on the same day that your RFP
becomes available
a.
b.
4.
If not, update your TP
The contract is not valid until the district signs the contract
File your Form 471
Wait for PIA or the FCDL, whichever comes first
17
Eligible Services
18
Eligible Services
Order
The List
19
QnA
• Q: At the Applicant Training Session the question was
posed "If an applicant requesting only POTS service
receives a bid for VoIP service, does the applicant have
to evaluate that bid?" How can an applicant, who does
not have the technical expertise nor the network to run
VoIP be required to evaluate (and possibly select) a bid
for VoIP when all they want is POTS?
• A: The program is technologically neutral, so an
applicant cannot exclude a VoIP solution simply because
they requested a bid on POTS. However, the applicant
can use the delivery method for the service as a factor in
the evaluation process. Applicants need to ensure they
select the most cost-effective service offering.
20
QnA
• Q: If an applicant’s bandwidth increases during the
funding year can they increase their funding?
• A: Eric explained that USAC cannot increase the funding
after a commitment is made. The applicant can increase
their bandwidth (if the increase was properly bid), but
USAC will not pay for the additional charges. Eric
suggested the applicant also file a service substitution to
notify USAC of the change.
21
QnA
• Q1: We have had recent rate reductions for services
which allows for pass on to clients. What ERATE
rules/guidelines prevent a client from upgrading
bandwidth to a higher rate if there is no impact to the
original funding amount for the year, contract allows for
change. Example: Client pays 100.00 monthly for 10 Mb
and has been funded for this amount. During the funded
year a new rate for 10 Mb goes down to 50.00 and a 20
Mb is now 100.00 monthly. Assuming state/local
contracts allow, and in this case they do, what ERATE
rules would prevent a mid-stream change to the 20 Mb
service if no impact to the original funded amount?
• Answer on next page
22
QnA
• A1: If the bidding documents notified bidders of an
applicants desire to increase speeds down the road and
the contract allows for such increases it is acceptable for
the applicant to change speeds. USAC did not answer
whether a service provider can pass on rate savings
without the need to go through a new bidding process.
23
QnA
• Q: We are waiting for a commitment on Priority 1
services. Why is it taking so long?
• A: If you have a question about a specific application,
please send an email to the Ombudsman with details.
The email address is ombudsman@usac.org.
• Q: Does size have an effect on when an application is
reviewed?
• A: Size is not an issue. It is random but if there are many
new entities or a discount level must be validated it
takes longer. Sometimes a larger application may take
longer due to entity or discount validation.
24
QnA
• Q: What is the best way to find out when an FCDL will
come out?
• A: There are too many parameters. We are trying to get
as many applications out as possible. We used to get the
small applications out first and it upset the large
applicants. Then we tried a mixture but the small
applicants got upset. Now we are trying to review them
in order that they were received. We will put an
application aside if it takes too long to hear back from
the applicant or something else makes it take too long.
25
26
27
29
Where does this come from?
http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/beforeyoubegin/eligible-services/priority-one.aspx
The FCC has indicated that support may be provided for basic
termination equipment, such as a CSU/DSU, cable modem,
network interface device, or copper-to-fiber converter. In the
case of such a single basic termination component at the
applicant's site, the requirement to meet all conditions as
provided in this document does not apply. The term "single" is
used to apply to no more than one component per site.
Configurations of more than a single basic termination
component, such as configurations utilizing routers or other
complex equipment, must meet the requirements indicated in
the following sections.
30
Re Of yesterday
31
Maybe???
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Window
Discount
P2
P1
RFP
Change services mid-year
POTS and VOIP
32
ISP
ISP
Internet Cloud
FF
FF
Metro-e
10 m
100 m
1000m
@
@
@
$408
$500
$750
ISP
MIS
ISP
Internet Cloud
FF
MIS
FF
50 m
100 m
250 m
500 m
1000m
@
@
@
@
@
$970
$1021
$1773
$3817
$5874
Form Changes
486-500
470-471
Propose Form 470
Propose Form 471
35
Why this change about RFPs?
Washington Unified School District (California)
• FY 2010 – Denied $1.9 million in P2 services
• DR1: FRN was denied for failure to advise bidders that an RFP was issued. An
RFP was issued and the Form 470 advised potential bidders that no RFP existed.
During our review, it was determined that you did issue an RFP. The documents
titled "Summary of Projects" and "Instruction to Bidders - Bid Forms" outlined
specific requirements, date of events and pre-requisites to be met by
prospective bidders imperative to submit a qualifying bid. As stated on the
USAC website, "An RFP describes the project undertaken, with sufficient details
to inform potential bidders of the scope, location, and any other requirements
for the project." FCC rules require applicants to submit a complete description
of services they seek so that it may be posted for competing service providers
to evaluate and formulate bids. The applicant's FCC Form 470 should inform
potential bidders if there is, or is likely to be, an RFP relating to particular
services indicated on the form. Since you failed to inform potential bidding
service providers that an RFP was available for the products and/or services
requested, you violated the competitive bidding process. Accordingly, this FRN
is be denied.
36
School Mergers
37
Form Tracking Tool
38
Item 21s
• There are 3 parts to an Item 21 Attachment
1. Narrative overview or description
a)
In plain English, what are you using the funding for
2. Line item detail
a)
Quantity, service description, unit cost, eligible and ineligible
non-recurring cost, eligible and ineligible non-recurring cost,
total cost as you calculate it to be
3. Any additional details
a)
Where will the service be provided, is this the same service as
last year, is it under a multi-year contract
– And yes, you can get service provider assistance in
providing Item 21 attachment
– And yes, always get a quote from your vendor.
39
Item 21s
Digital transmission services.
• This FRN is for 4 Wide Area Networking Circuits:
– 3 existing Metro-e circuits.
• 100 meg to Elementary school @$mm per month recurring charge
• 100 meg to Middle School @$mm per month recurring charge
• 100 meg to High School @$mm per month recurring charge
– The installation of 1 Metro-e upgrade at the District Office
• 500 meg @ $xx per month recurring charge
• $yy non-recurring charge for infrastructure buildout of this one circuit
 Note: Except for the circuit upgrade, this service is the same service as
last year, 471#*****, FRN#**** and is covered under a multi-year
contract with CAD of mm/dd/yy and CED of mm/dd/yy.
40
Item 21s
Things to remember
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
It is always important to specify the bandwidth/speed on all Internet Access FRN’s (e.g., T-1, T-3,
DS-1, 50 meg metro-e, 24 meg MPLS, etc.).
If any of your FRN’s include web hosting, include third party documentation that sufficiently
describes the exact services that are being provided as part of the web hosting service.
Applicants should check the USAC website (not the vendors) to understand the eligibility
requirements for the products and services being requested.
If any portion of your phone bill or other vendor documentation submitted with your Item 21
Attachments includes “miscellaneous charges”, please provide an explanation of what these
charges are (e.g., wiring jacks, faceplates, taxes, or required fees).
If ineligible components or features are provided that require cost allocation, the Item 21
Attachment should include appropriate details to allow efficient review. Detail the cost
allocation.
If you are ordering server racks or equipment cabinets, please specify the make and model of
the server or equipment being housed in the racks or cabinets and the intended use of the
server or equipment.
The most complete Item 21 Attachments will indicate compliance with the conditions of
eligibility. For example:
–
–
–
"The Web hosting service has cost allocated xx percent to remove the ineligible content creation
tools/services."
"The multiple T-1 lines are not redundant or duplicative and are required for the bandwidth needs of the
applicant."
Handsets are not included with the Hosted VOIP service as shown in the contract, page xx. “The handsets must
be purchase through a separate billing process and the cost is not included with the VOIP Hosted Solution.”
41
Item 21s
On Premise Priority One Equipment
•
1. Is the leased on-premise equipment an integral component of a Telecommunications or Internet
Access service? X Yes ___ No
•
2. Will the leased on-premise equipment be provided by the same service provider that provides the
associated Telecommunications Service or Internet Access service? X Yes ___ No
•
3. Does responsibility for maintaining the equipment rest with the service provider? X Yes ___ No
•
4. Will ownership of the equipment transfer to the school or library in the future? ___ Yes X No
•
5. Does the relevant contract or lease include an option for the applicant to purchase the
equipment? ___ Yes X No
–
5a. If Yes, do you intend to exercise this option. Yes ____No____.
•
6. Will the leased equipment be used at the applicant site for any purpose other than receipt of the
eligible Telecommunications Services or Internet Access of which it is a part? ___ Yes X No
•
7. Will the school’s or library’s internal communication systems (e.g., LAN, video, phone, or other
communication system) continue to work if the component is disconnected? X Yes ___No.
•
8.Are there any contractual, technical, or other limitations that would prevent the service provider
from using its network equipment, in part, for other customers? ___Yes X No
42
Item 21s
On Premise Priority One Equipment
On Premise Priority One Equipment is provided by “vendor” and is part of a
service that includes the leased circuit and router. The Router is a
“Manufacturer” router model “Model”, with SKU “SKU”. The router is an
integral component of my telecommunications/internet access service.
Both circuit and router are provided by “vendor”. The responsibility for
maintaining the equipment rests with “vendor”. The ownership of the
router will never transfer to me or my district. The contract does not
include an option for me to purchase the router. The router will be used
solely for the receipt of the eligible Telecommunications Services / Internet
Access of which it is part. My internal LAN will continue to operate if I
unplug or disconnect the router. And, there is nothing in my contract and
there is no technical or other reason that would prevent “vendor” from
using the router for any other customer.
43
My School district
BEN:
471:
FRN:
Item 21 Attachment: WAN Circuits
500 meg (upgrade circuit)
“Vendor
100 meg
100 meg
Cloud
Network”
100 meg
Elementary
Middle
High
44
When should I file multiple 471s?
•
•
•
•
•
•
P1 vs P2
Complex procurement or project
High dollars in P2
High one-time charge in P1
New Hosted VOIP solution
Schools or districts merging
45
When should I file multiple FRNs?
•
•
•
•
Different Contracts or MTM
Different SPIN
Different Services (TC and IA)
Different locations (for your benefit)
46
47