If you haven’t started the 470/RFP competitive bidding process, make sure the following steps are in place. Wednesday, March 4, 2026, is the deadline to post your FCC Form 470 to the USAC website, or issue an RFP, and still complete all of these actions before the Form 471 Application Filing Window closes.
Clarify your needs
- Clearly identify the services you require, including technology, internet, and telecommunications.
- Review estimated pre-discount costs and confirm that they align with your available budget.
Decide on using an RFP
- Issue an RFP if required by state or local procurement rules, or if you are seeking complex services such as dark fiber or construction projects.
- In other situations, an RFP is optional but strongly recommended to promote clarity and transparency for all vendors.
Maintain compliant, open bidding
- Make price the most important factor in your evaluation process.
- Apply a fair, documented evaluation matrix and retain all bids, scoring sheets, decisions, and justifications for potential audits.
Add E-Rate funding contingencies
- Include contract language that permits cancellation without penalty if E-Rate funding is denied or not approved as anticipated.
Build in adequate time
- For complex services like fiber or large broadband builds, consider extending the bid period beyond the 28-day minimum to attract more qualified vendor responses.
Preparing for FY2026 E-Rate Form 471 Before the Window Opens on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at noon EST
As you get ready to submit your FY2026 Form 471, organizing your work in advance will make the filing smoother and more efficient.
1. Finalize competitive bidding records
- Confirm that your FCC Form 470 was posted correctly and that the full 28-day posting period has passed.
- Make sure any required RFP was posted, all vendor questions were answered, and any addenda were shared with all bidders.
- Keep a complete record of the procurement process so you are prepared for any future review or audit.
2. Evaluate and select providers
- Score vendor bids using your predetermined evaluation criteria to choose the most cost‑effective, eligible solutions.
- Retain all bid responses, evaluation matrices, notes, and selection justifications in your E‑Rate documentation files.
3. Update entity and student information
- Verify that all school and library profiles are accurate in EPC, including entity status and contact details.
- Update student enrollment counts and, for Category Two, confirm building square footage for libraries and other relevant facilities.
4. Confirm service eligibility
- Review the FY2026 Eligible Services List to ensure all requested products and services are allowable under E‑Rate.
- If anything is unclear, consult USAC resources or your state E‑Rate coordinator for clarification before filing.
5. Plan Category Two budgets
- Review remaining five‑year Category Two budgets for each entity and align your planned requests with those available amounts.
6. Organize key documentation
- Ensure all contracts are fully executed after vendor selection and before certifying the Form 471.
- Obtain any locally required approvals (such as board approval) and collect supporting items like student counts and NSLP/CEP data.
7. Build your Form 471
- Group services and products into logical funding requests, with clear vendors, costs, service descriptions, dates, and entities.
- Enter accurate FRNs, contract award and expiration dates, and anticipated service start and end dates.
8. Check for compliance and audit readiness
- Review all records to confirm they meet E‑Rate rules and applicable procurement regulations.
- Maintain well‑organized digital and/or hard‑copy files so you can quickly respond to any PIA review or audit in the future.
