Notices and Tasks for the Current Funding Year: FY2020 (7/1/20-6/30/21)

E-Rate Step 5: Bill Payment FY2020File a Form 486 in EPC to indicate the start of services   Resource: UPDATED FY2020 Form 486 How to Guide Constraints: cannot be filed until an FCDL has been issued Deadline: October 29, 2020 if FCDL is dated July 1, 2020 or earlier or 120 days from date of FCDL if dated after July 1, 2020 E-Rate Step 6: Filing for a Refund FY2020File a Form 498 in EPC in preparation for receiving reimbursements via direct deposit  Note: a new form is not required for FY2020 if you previously filed one and have an approved 498 ID   Resource: Form 498 How to Guide Constraints: you cannot file a BEAR form for FY2020 until you have an approved 498ID Deadline: before first FY2020 BEAR FY2020File BEARs for reimbursements for products and services   Resource: Form 472 BEAR How to Guide Constraints: cannot be filed until a Form 486 is filed and you have an approved 498 ID Deadline: October 28, 2021

Notices and Tasks for the Next Funding Year: FY2021 (7/1/21-6/30/22)

E-Rate Step 1: Making a Plan FY2021Make a plan and choose products and services for which you will seek E-Rate funding for the next  funding year   Resource: FY2021 Eligible Services List E-Rate Step 2: Competitive Bidding Process FY2021File a Form 470 in EPC to identify desired products and services   Resource: UPDATED FY2021 Form 470 How to Guide Deadline: February 25, 2021 is the last day to post a Form 470 in EPC or attach an RFP FY2021Next steps after filing the Form 470 FY2021Form 470 Wrap-Up Step 1: Selecting Vendors   Constraints: before selecting a vendor, you must wait at least 28 days after the date the Form 470 is filed and the date the RFP is issued, whichever is later FY2021Form 470 Wrap-Up Step 2: Signing Contracts   Constraints: before signing a contract, you must wait at least 28 days after the date the Form 470 is filed and the date the RFP is issued, whichever is later Networkmaine Members only: Pre-Enrollment FY2021Pre-Enrollment   for Networkmaine sites wihout DOE reported NSLP data   Window: October 19, 2020 - November 6, 2020 Networkmaine Members only: Enrollment FY2021Enrollment   for all Networkmaine sites (school districts, independent schools, libraries)   Window: July 20, 2020 - July 31, 2020 E-Rate Step 3: Applying for Funding FY2021Update your EPC Profile during the Administrative Window   Resource: UPDATEDUpdate Your EPC Profile Constraints: The Administrative Window is a designated timeframe during which applicants can update their EPC profiles for the next funding year. Profile data will be locked down after the window closes and cannot be changed. Window: October 19, 2020 - January 13, 2021 (11:59 PM EST) FY2021File a Form 471 in EPC to request E-Rate funding   Resource: EPC Guides for Form 471 Prep and Filing Forms for C1 and C2 Constraints: cannot be filed until 29 days after Form 470 is filed Window: January 15, 2021 (12:00 Noon EST) - March 25, 2021 (11:59 PM EDT) E-Rate Step 4: Funding Approval FY2021Next steps after filing the Form 471   Resource: Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) Guide FY2021Prepare for PIA Review FY2021Undergo PIA Review   Resource: PIA Review Guide FY2021Watch for your funding commitment in the Funding Wave announcements   Resource: Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) Guide