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E-Rate Acronyms and Form Numbers

This document defines acronyms and form numbers used in the E-Rate program. It provides definitions for over 30 acronyms related to funding sources, requirements, applications and more. Application forms include the Form 470 for requesting services, Form 471 for applying for discounts, and Form 486 for confirming services. Service provider forms encompass applications, invoices and certifications. Key agencies involved are the FCC, SLD and USAC in administering the Universal Service Fund and E-Rate program.

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65 views4 pages

E-Rate Acronyms and Form Numbers

This document defines acronyms and form numbers used in the E-Rate program. It provides definitions for over 30 acronyms related to funding sources, requirements, applications and more. Application forms include the Form 470 for requesting services, Form 471 for applying for discounts, and Form 486 for confirming services. Service provider forms encompass applications, invoices and certifications. Key agencies involved are the FCC, SLD and USAC in administering the Universal Service Fund and E-Rate program.

Uploaded by

TrầnQuang
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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E-Rate Acronyms and Form Numbers

Acronyms:
ADA

Anti-Deficiency Act. Under ADA, new E-rate commitments are limited to unobligated funds on hand, leading to funding freezes and delays. E-rate is
operating under a temporary ADA exemption for 2005. Legislation is pending
to make this exemption permanent.

BEAR

Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement form (FCC Form 472). The applicant
form used to invoice USAC for E-rate discounts on a retroactive basis (when
the service provider does not discount applicant bills directly).

BEN

Billed Entity Number. An E-rate program identification number associated


with applicants, organizations, or other entities that are billed for E-rate
eligible services. BENs are a subset of Entity Numbers which are assigned to
all E-rate participating organizations and facilities.

CIPA

Childrens Internet Protection Act. A law requiring E-rate applicants to have


an Internet Safety Policy and to filter Internet service. CIPA applies only to
applicants applying for Internet Access and Internal Connections discounts.

COMAD Commitment Adjustment. A procedure initiated when a SLD funding error is


uncovered as a result of additional information and/or review. If funding has
already been disbursed, the COMAD procedure will lead to a request for
repayment from either the applicant or service provider.
COPAN

Looks like, but is not actually, an acronym. Refers to a FCC decision on an


appeal by Copan (OK) Public Schools that established the rules governing
SPIN changes.

CSB

Client Service Bureau. The SLDs helpline and data entry organization
located in Lawrence, KS. More complex issues are handled by a smaller,
related organization called the Technical Client Service Bureau (TCSB).
The CSB can be reached by calling 888-203-8100.

DCIA

Debt Collection Improvement Act. As applied to the FCC, a law prohibiting


any entity owing monies to the FCC from receiving additional benefits.

ESL

Eligible Services List. A list and description of eligible (and ineligible) E-rate
services (see http://www.sl.universalservice.org/reference/eligible.asp) that is
updated annually.

ETP

Eligible Telecommunications Provider. A telecommunications common


carrier which files periodic Form 499s with the FCC and which is typically

registered as a carrier within its state(s) of operation. Telecommunications


services are eligible for E-rate discounts only if provided by an ETP. ETP
status is denoted by a Y in the SLDs SPIN Search database. Consideration
is being given to replacing the ETP designation with Telecommunications
Carrier. (Note: ETP is not to be confused with ETC, an Eligible
Telecommunications Carrier eligible to receive operating subsidies from
the Universal Service Fund.)
FCC

Federal Communications Commission. The FCC has overall administrative


authority for the Universal Service Fund, generally, and the E-rate program,
specifically.

FCC RN FCC Registration Number. An identification number assigned to any entity,


including E-rate participants, doing business with the FCC. The FCC also
refers to these numbers as either FRNs or CORESIDs (CORES stands
for Commission Registration System; ID is self-explanatory).
FCDL

Funding Commitment Decision Letter. A commitment letter sent to an


applicant listing the funding decisions made on every request in the
applicants Form 471 application. A separate version of the FCDL is also sent
the service provider to report funding decisions affecting that provider.

FRN

Funding Request Number: A number assigned by the SLD to individual


funding requests. (Warning: The FCC also may use FRN to designate a
FCC Registration Number, defined above under FCC RN.)

LOA

Letter of Agency. Required to be submitted to consortium lead (giving


consortium lead the authority to file application on behalf of consortium
member) by all members of a consortium prior to the filing of the Form 471.

NIF

Non-Instructional Facility.
A facility owned or controlled by an E-rate
applicant that is not officially recognized as a school or library (e.g.,
administrative office, bus garage, etc.).

NSLP

National School Lunch Program. The free and reduced-priced lunch program
that provides the primary indication of school poverty levels upon which an
applicants discount rate is determined.

OMB

Office of Management and Budget (White House) a new but important player

PIA

Program Integrity Assurance. The SLDs application review organization


operating out of Whippany, NJ.

RAL

Receipt Acknowledgement Letter. A RAL is sent to the applicant to


acknowledge the successful filing of a Form 471 application and to permit the
applicant to make limited corrections to the application before review. A

separate version of the RAL is also sent the associated service providers to
report funding requests affecting those providers.
RNL

Receipt Notification Letter. RNLs are sent to the applicant when the SLD has
accepted and successfully processed a Form 470. Other notification letters are
sent in connection with processed SLD appeals, BEARs, Form 486s, and
Form 500s.

SLD

Schools and Libraries Division. The division of USAC responsible for the
operating administration of the E-rate program.

SPAC

Service Provider Annual Certification form (FCC Form 473). An E-rate


vendor is required to file a general certification form for each funding year.
USAC will not pay any invoice (BEAR or SPI) for any funding year for which
a SPAC has not been filed.

SPI

Service Provider Invoice form (FCC Form 474). The service provider form
used to invoice USAC for E-rate discounts provided directly to applicants.
The SPI is sometimes referred to as a SPIF.

SPIN

Service Provider Identification Number. A unique, nine-digit, identification


number assigned to service providers for E-rate purposes.

TCSB

Technical Client Service Bureau. See CSB, above.

USAC

Universal Service Administrative Company. A private company established


by the FCC for the operating administration of the Universal Service Fund
(USF). The SLD is one division of USAC.

USF

Universal Service Fund: An industry support mechanism, funded by carrier


contributions from interstate revenues. Support is provided for four programs:
(a) Schools and Libraries, the E-rate program; (b) High Cost; (c) Low Income;
and (d), Rural Health Care.

WFA

Waste, Fraud, and Abuse. E-rate problems, highlighted in the press and in
Congress, driving a number of new rules and review procedures.

Applicant Form Numbers:


Form 470 Description of Services Requested and Certification Form. The first required
form in the basic E-rate application cycle. Acts as a quasi-RFP to alert
vendors to applicant needs for the next funding year.

Form 471 Description of Services Ordered and Certification Form. The actual E-rate
application form used to request discounts on specific services from selected
vendors.
Form 472 Billed Entity Reimbursement Form (see BEAR above).
Form 479 Certification by Administrative Authority to Billed Entity of Compliance with
Childrens Internet Protection Act. A form used by consortium members to
certify CIPA compliance to their consortium leader. (Note: The form is filed
with the consortium leader, not with the SLD.)
Form 486 Receipt of Service Confirmation Form. The form submitted after funding is
committed to confirm that the services are or will be used, and to certify that
the applicant has an approved technology plan and is CIPA compliant.
Form 500 Adjustment of Funding Commitment and Modification to Receipt of Service
Confirmation Form. A multi-purpose form used to notify the SLD of changes
in the Service Start Date or Contract expiration Date, or to cancel or reduce an
actual funding commitment.
Service Provider Form Numbers:
Form 473 Service Provider Annual Certification Form (see SPAC above).
Form 474 Service Provider Invoice Form (see SPI above).
Form 498 Service Provider Identification Number and Contact Information Form. The
form used to initially apply for a SPIN, or to change contact and invoice
remittance information.
Form 499 Telecommunications Reporting Worksheet. A form, in two versions, filed
quarterly (499-Q) or annually (499-A) by telecommunications carriers to
report revenues for Universal Service Fund purposes.

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