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USAC Launches New 498 Form with Online Submission Option (11/17/03)

The Wireline Competition Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission announces the release of the revised FCC Form 498 and associated instructions to be used by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) to collect contact, remittance, and payment information from service providers that receive support from the Federal universal service support mechanisms. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the revised form and accompanying changes.

On Monday, November 17th, the form (also known as the Service Provider Identification Number and Contact Information Form) will be made available on the USAC website. The form has been improved to ensure that all service providers participating in any of USAC’s four support mechanisms may provide remittance information when receiving universal support.

In addition, service providers now have the option of completing the form online. Upon completing the online submission, the service provider must print, sign and return the forms to USAC to be officially certified. USAC encourages service providers to take advantage of the online submission capabilities.

FCC Form 498 is used to collect contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers that receive support from the Federal universal service support mechanisms. Each service provider that receives Federal universal service support under any of the four support mechanisms must complete this form.

In addition, a letter of authorization on company letterhead must accompany all originals and revisions. If the form is a revision, the authorization letter should specify which blocks are being revised. It is incumbent upon the service provider to keep the information on this form current as it may affect the timeliness of payment. The FCC Form 498 is the official record on file with USAC related to contact and remittance information.

The prior version of the 498 Form will no longer be accepted after November 16, 2003. Submissions using the prior version of the 498 Form with a postmark after November 16, 2003 will be rejected and returned.

Universal Service Administrative Company CEO stepping down from post (11/6/03)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) announced that Cheryl Parrino, CEO of USAC, will resign effective January 31, 2004 to pursue a career in consulting.

USAC BCD Customer Service Center Will Be Unavailable beginning Friday November 7, 2003 thru Monday November 10, 2003 (11/6/03)

Due to an Office Move beginning Friday November 7, 2003 thru Monday November 10, 2003 the USAC BCD Customer Resource Center will be closed. During this time users will be unable to contact us through our 888 number, as well as our fax number. We will also be unable to retrieve emails during this time. We will reopen on Tuesday November 11. We apologize for the inconvenience.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Security Services RFP (9/10/2003)

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) invites the submission of offers for physical security services to USAC. The Request for Proposal (RFP) describes the services requested and provides instructions on how to respond. Interested parties may request further information by submitting an inquiry via E-mail. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 19, 2003 to be considered for award.

2003 A/Q True-Up Calculation Explanation (8/14/2003)

Relevant Information for the 2003 USF A/Q True-up.

USAC to Launch New 498 Form with Online Submission Option (7/24/2003)

USAC will soon launch a new Service Provider Identification Number and Contact Information Form, FCC Form 498. The form has been improved to ensure that all service providers participating in any of USAC’s four support mechanisms may provide remittance information when receiving universal support.

In addition, service providers now have the option of completing the form online. Upon completing the online submission, the service provider must print, sign and return the forms to USAC to be officially certified. USAC encourages service providers to take advantage of the online submission capabilities.

Service Providers can begin familiarizing themselves with the proposed Form 498 and instructions by clicking on the USF Forms link.

FCC Form 498 is used to collect contact, remittance, and payment information for service providers that receive support from the Federal universal service support mechanisms. Each service provider that receives Federal universal service support under any of the four support mechanisms must complete this form.

In addition, a letter of authorization on company letterhead must accompany all originals and revisions. If the form is a revision, the authorization letter should specify which blocks are being revised. It is incumbent upon the service provider to keep the information on this form current as it may affect the timeliness of payment. The FCC Form 498 is the official record on file with USAC related to contact and remittance information.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Accounting Software and Consulting RFP (7/11/2003)

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for Accounting software and related consulting services. The Request for Proposal (RFP) describes the services requested and provides instructions on how to respond. Interested parties may request further information by submitting an inquiry via E-mail. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on July 25th, 2003.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Datacenter Hosting RFP (5/30/2003)

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for the secure managed hosting of systems to provide a remote datacenter. The Request for Proposal (RFP) describes the services requested and provides instructions on how to respond. Interested parties may request further information by submitting an inquiry via E-mail. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on June 13th, 2003.

USAC Launches a Redesigned Website (4/18/03)

Users will find a reorganized site that contains the same information, in an easier to read and find format. Take a Tour of the new site.

FCC Form 498 Update - Address Change for submission (4/11/03)

Please be advised that beginning April 9th, 2003, all 498 submissions should be sent to the following address:

USAC
2000 L Street, NW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036
Attn: Form 498

For revisions (not submissions) the fax number is: 888-637-6226

Submissions already sent to the previous address will still be processed but for future reference, please note the new address in order to ensure timely processing of your company's 498.

If you need additional information completing a 498 form, please see the 498 FAQ.

USAC Encourages 499-A On-line Submission(4/3/03)

This email is to inform you that USAC now accepts the online submission of the 499A Application. The online submission will provide contributors with an alternate, more efficient method for completing the form. This new method of submission is intended to expedite the filing process by performing a series of validations throughout the application, which will help eliminate common data entry issues.

At this time, though the forms can be submitted on-line for review, the certification process must still be done manually. Upon completing the online submission, the applicant must print, sign and return the forms to USAC to be officially certified.

Applicants can begin registering online for a User ID and Password through the 499-A Registration form. If you already have acquired a User ID and Password, you can login and begin completing the forms.

For more information on completing the 499-A, please refer to the Form 499-A Instructions. If you need additional assistance in completing the form, please call the 499 HelpLine at (973) 560-4460 or send an email to the Form 499 Data Collection Staff.

Although the deadline for completing the form has passed, we encourage you to register and familiarize yourself with the on-line submission process.

March 2003

FCC Contribution Methodology Calculation Example Now Available (3/17/03)

USAC Launches 499-A On-line Submission (3/17/03)

USAC will begin accepting 499-A online submissions on Friday, March 14, 2003. The online submission will provide contributors with an alternate method for completing the form. This new method of submission is intended to expedite the filing process by performing a series of validations throughout the application, which will help eliminate common data entry issues.

Upon completing the online submission, the applicant must print, sign and return the forms to USAC to be officially certified.

Applicants can begin registering online for a User ID and Password through the 499-A Registration from which is available at USF Forms.

For more information on completing the 499-A, please refer to the Form 499-A Instructions. The link to the on-line Form 499-A is available from the USF Forms area of this web site. If you need additional assistance in completing the form, please call the 499 Helpline at (973) 560-4460 or send an email to the Form 499 Data Collection Staff.

Please remember that the deadline for submitting your Form 499A for Funding Year 2003 is April 1, 2003 at 11:59 PM EST, although we encourage you to submit your form as early as possible.

The Filing Due Date For the Form 499A is April 1, 2003. Need Assistance? (3/4/03)

If you need assistance in completing the form, please call the 499 Helpline at (973) 560-4460 or send an email to the Form 499 Data Collection Staff. The 499A form is available on this website under USF forms along with the instructions [PDF format] and General Helpful Hints.

USAC Announces the Issuance of RFP (3/4/2003)

USAC has issued a Request for Proposal for the secure managed Internet hosting of systems related to the online 498.

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for the secure managed Internet hosting of systems related to the online submission of form 498. The Request for Proposal (RFP) describes the services requested and provides instructions on how to respond. Interested parties may request further information by submitting an inquiry via e-mail. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on March 14, 2003.

February 2003

February 2003 Credit Balance Refunds Processing Update(2/20/03)

USAC will be issuing credit balance refunds with the February 2003 invoices (Note: The refund checks will not be in the same envelope as the invoice but will be mailed separately) in the form of a check. If your company will be receiving a credit balance refund, there will be a line item on your February 2003 invoice labeled "Credit Balance Refund." This line item represents the amount of the check you will receive. Credit balance refunds were calculated using the end balance of the December 2002 invoices. Contributors whose accounts resulted in a credit balance using the above process were eligible for credit balance refunds this month. Credit balance refund checks will be mailed to the most recent address submitted with the latest 499Q filing or the address listed on the February 2003 invoice.

Information Regarding January 2003 USF Invoices (2/20/03)

Please be advised that January 2003 USF Invoices mailed on January 15, 2003 include a misprint. The statement date reads 1/23/2002 but instead should read 1/23/2003. We would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

January 2003

USAC Announces the Issuance of RFP(1/27/03)

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for the performance of services related to the High Cost and Low Income universal service support mechanisms. The Request for Proposal (RFP) describes the services requested and provides instructions on how to respond. Interested parties may request an electronic copy of the RFP by submitting an inquiry via e-mail .

USAC is a not-for-profit corporation authorized by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to administer the four federal universal service support mechanisms: High Cost, Low Income, Rural Health Care, and Schools and Libraries. This RFP relates solely to the performance of services for the High Cost and Low Income support mechanisms. The High Cost support mechanism provides support to telephone companies that serve high cost areas, thereby making phone service affordable for the residents of these regions. In 2002, USAC disbursed approximately $3 billion in High Cost support. The Low Income support mechanism assists low-income customers by helping to pay for monthly telephone charges as well as connection charges to initiate service. USAC disbursed approximately $600 million in Low Income support in 2002.

USAC welcomes your submission of a proposal. A Bidders Conference will be held in Washington, D.C., on February 28, 2003 at 9:30 a.m. at The Westin Grand, 2350 M Street, N.W. Upon receipt of the RFP, please submit questions in writing, via e-mail,by February 18, 2003 so USAC may respond to them at the Bidders Conference. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on April 15, 2003. Questions concerning this procurement may be directed to Karen Majcher, Director, High Cost, or Pamela Gallant, Director, Low Income, at 202-776-0200.

Holiday Announcement (1/14/03)

The Billing and Disbursement Customer Service Center will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2003 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr's Day. The Customer Service Center will resume normal operations on Tuesday, January 21, 2003 at 9:30 a.m., EST.

January 2003 USF Billing, Collections and Disbursements Newsletter (1/06/03)
Read more

Revised Form 499-Q Deadline (1/3/03)

Revised Form 499-Q is due By February 3, 2003. The revised FCC Form 499-Q and instructions will be mailed to Contributors during the week of January 6, 2003.

Content Last Modified: November 6, 2003