E-Rate News from Funds for Learning

Form 471 Window Opened on December 6, 2005

The SLD announced today that the Form 471 window will open on December 6 and close on February 16. January 18 would be the last date anyone could post a Form 470, however, it is recommended that E-rate applicants do not wait until the last few days to post Form 470's as the SLD will review those applications with more scrutiny to ensure that a fair, open and competitive bidding process took place. Schools need to wait 28 days after they post a Form 470 before they can sign contracts and waiting the last minute may not give you enough time to evaluate bids, negotiate the contract and possibly get Board approval before the Form 471 window closes.

Important reminders and tips about this process can be viewed at http://www.eratemanager.com/mkt/2005-11.pdf

The 2006 Eligible Services List can be found at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-05-197A2.pdf