Allowable Contract Date (ACD)
The earliest possible date an applicant can enter into a contract for service. This
date is 28 days after the posting of the applicants Form 470 on the SLD website.
This date is assigned by SLD.
Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement Form (BEAR)/ Form 472
The BEAR form is a form filed by applicants who wish to receive reimbursement checks
from their service providers, after having paid their bills in full.
Billed Entity Number (BEN)
The BEN is a unique identifying number assigned to applicants that pay bills to
the service provider. The BEN is assigned by USAC.
Contract Award Date (CAD)
The date the contract between the applicant and the service provider is fully executed.
Contract Expiration Date (CED)
The date the contract between the applicant and service provider ends. This date
should be indicated on the Form 471.
Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
CIPA is the law that requires internet safety policies and filtering requirements
for applicants. All E-Rate applicants, except those applying for Basic Telephone
Service, must comply with the CIPA requirement.
Eligible Services List (ESL)
The ESL is a yearly list produced by USAC and approved by the FCC outlining the
types of services and products that are eligible for E-Rate discounts.
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC is an independent government agency directly responsible to Congress. The
FCC oversees the E-Rate program and one of their responsibilities.
Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL)
The FCDL is USAC’s response to an applicant’s form 471. This letter indicates exactly
what funding an applicant is eligible to receive on each Funding Request.
Form 470
The Description of Services Requested and Certification Form 470 is the first Form
in the E-Rate process. This form is used to open the competitive bidding process.
The form 470 allows Service Providers to see what types services applicants are
requesting and allows them the opportunity to bid on those services.
Form 471
The Services Ordered and Certification Form 471 is the second form in the E-Rate
Process. This form is used by the applicant to report services ordered and request
funding. The form 471 must be filed after the form 470 has been posted on the SLD
website for at least 28 days and a contract with a service provider has been signed.
Form 472 – BEAR form
The Billed Entity Reimbursement Form (BEAR) is a form filed by applicants who wish
to receive reimbursement checks from their service providers, after having paid
their bills in full.
Form 486
The Receipt of Services Confirmation form is the third form in the E-Rate process.
This form notifies USAC that service has begun on an approved funding commitment.
This form is also used for applicants to make certification about their CIPA compliance
and technology plan approval.
Form 500
The Adjustment to Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service Confirmation
Form 500 is used by applicants to notify USAC of reduction or cancelations of approved
FRN’s or to notify USAC of changes to an applicant’s service start date or contract
expiration date.
Funding Request Number (FRN)
The FRN is a unique number assigned by USAC to each Form 471 Funding Request. This
FRN is used to track the funding request on all E-Rate forms and correspondence.
Letter of Agency (LOA)
A LOA authorizes a non-school employee or official to represent the applicant in
the E-Rate process. The LOA is usually used for a consultant to file forms and communicate
with SLD on the applicants behalf.
Service End Date (SED)
The Service End Date is provided by the applicant on the form 471 that identifies
the date that service will end for a funding commitment.
Selective Review
A Selective Review is a more rigorous review process. This review covers certification
applicant’s make on their Form 471. The Selective Review may cover the competitive
bidding process, technology planning, discount rate calculations, and budgeting.
Service Provider Invoice (SPI) (Form 474)
SPI/Form 474 is submitted to USAC by the Service Provider to request reimbursement
for discounts already provided to applicant’s bills.
Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)
The SPIN is a unique identification number provided to every service provider participating
in the E-Rate program.
Two-in-Five Rule
The Two-in-Five Rule states that applicant will only be able to receive E-Rate discounts
for Internal Connections for two out of every five funding years. This does not
include Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections and begins with funding year 2005.
Wave
Wave is the term E-Rate uses for a group of funding commitment decision notifications
that USAC sends out to applicants and service providers on a specific date. A Wave
is usually issued weekly