USAC Files Reply Comments on FCC Comprehensive Review of Universal Service Fund Management, Administration, and Oversight

On December 19, 2005, USAC filed its reply comments (PDF, 662 KB) with the Federal Communications Commission in its rulemaking proceeding titled, Comprehensive Review of Universal Service Fund Management, Administration, and Oversight, WC Docket 05-195. USAC filed initial comments (PDF, 1.172 MB) on October 18, 2005 including appendices to comments (PDF, 2.134 MB)

USAC Issues Request for Proposal for Core Switch

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations to provide procurement and installation services of a core switch. This Request for Proposals (PDF, 331 KB) describes the services requested and provides instructions on how to respond. Proposals must be submitted on January 27, 2006 or earlier to be considered for award and be valid for a period of 120 days. Inquiries may be directed to Ms. Deirdre McIntyre by electronic mail at rfp@universalservice.org or by telephone at (202) 263-1652.

Request for Proposals for Core Switch (PDF, 331 KB)

Hurricane Katrina Filing Window to Close December 13, 2005 (12/5/05)

The special Hurricane Katrina window for schools, libraries, and consortia is currently open and will close at 11:59 pm ET on December 13, 2005.

Applicants affected by Hurricane Katrina are eligible to participate in a special application window that will provide additional funds to certain schools and libraries through the end of Funding Year 2005. Schools and libraries directly affected by Hurricane Katrina are: (1) eligible for a 90% discount on Internal Connections requests for Funding Years 2005 and 2006; (2) may request additional funding for 2005 to bring them back to pre-Katrina levels of functionality; (3) may request broad service substitutions; and (4) may qualify for a waiver of the 2-in-5 Rule for Internal Connections. Schools and libraries "directly affected" by Hurricane Katrina are defined as both located in counties and parishes eligible for FEMA individual disaster assistance and having incurred substantial damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Schools and libraries serving evacuees that received at least a 10% increase in their population, also known as "indirectly affected" entities, are also eligible for certain relief that must be requested during this window. For more information, visit USAC's Hurricane Katrina Universal Service Fund Relief Information site at http://katrina-usf.org/katrina/default.asp and click under Schools and Libraries.

INCUMBENT ELIGIBLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CARRIERS (ETCs) WHO FILED FOR LOCAL SWITCHING SUPPORT (LSS) FOR THE CALENDAR YEAR 2004 MUST FILE ACTUAL LSS DATA (TRUE UP DATA) FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2004 NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 30, 2005.

All incumbent ETCs who filed for Local Switching Support (LSS) for calendar year 2004 must file actual LSS data (true up data) for calendar year 2004 with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) no later than Friday, December 30, 2005. This data will be used to true up LSS for calendar year 2004. If your LSS actuals for calendar year 2004 are not timely filed, all LSS disbursed for calendar year 2004 will be recovered by USAC.

Incumbent carriers must submit the data necessary to determine actual LSS revenue requirement on an OMB approved LSS form, which can be found on USAC’s web site at www.universalservice.org/hc/forms. If you are an average schedule company, you should complete LSS Form A. If you are a cost company, you should complete LSS Form C. Whether you are an average schedule or a cost company, you may submit your Local Switching Form to USAC in one of three (3) ways:

Email: hcfilings@HCLI.universalservice.org

FAX: 1-866-873-4666

US Mail: Universal Service Administrative Company
444 Hoes Lane
RRC 4A1060
Piscataway, NJ 08854

If the National Exchange Carrier Association (NECA) files your LSS data on your behalf, NECA must submit the same data as required on the LSS forms. In addition, NECA must file your data with USAC no later than December 30, 2005.

If you have additional questions, please contact USAC’s customer service center at 877-877-4925.

The Rural Health Care Program will be closed

The Rural Health Care Program will be closed Thursday November 24th and Friday November 25th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

Hurrican Katrina Consumer Information

Consumers with questions about how to apply for the Lifeline benefit of $130.00 for a wireless handset and at least 300 minutes of service should contact the wireless telecommunications carrier in the area in which the consumer is living.

Consumers should contact the local telephone company serving the area in which they are living with questions about how to receive the $30.00 in Link Up benefits for eligible households displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Consumers are encouraged to visit USAC’s web site at http://www.usac.org/katrina/ for additional information.

Please note that consumers cannot apply for these benefits through USAC.
Consumers apply through their telecommunications carrier. Carriers that provide discounts to eligible consumers then apply to USAC for reimbursement.

USAC Files Comments in FCC Comprehensive Review of USF

On October 18, 2005, USAC filed comments on the FCC’s Rulemaking on the Comprehensive Review of Universal Service Fund Management, Administration, and Oversight. For USAC's comments click here and for USAC's appendices-exhibits click here.

FCC Releases Hurricane Katrina USF Order [pdf - 341kb]

The FCC released Order FCC 05-178 October 14, 2005 regarding the implementation of Chairman Martin’s September 15th announcement to use $211 million in federal Universal Service Funds for areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. USAC is reviewing the Order. Please monitor www.usac.org/katrina/ for the latest information on USAC's administration of the Order.

First Schools and Libraries News Brief Issued

On October 13, 2005, USAC e-mailed its first issue of the Schools and Libraries News Brief to provide timely information about upcoming funding commitments and tips to help participants through the application process. USAC plans to e-mail the electronic newsletter on a weekly basis to applicants, service providers, and other stakeholders. To subscribe to this news brief, please click here.

Holiday Announcement

The Universal Service Administrative Company will be closed Monday, October 10, 2005 in observance of the Columbus Day holiday. USAC will resume normal business operations Tuesday, October 11, 2005.

USAC Announces First Notice of Funding Commitments for Priority Two Internal Connections at the 90% Level in 2005

The Proposed Contribution Factor for the 4th Quarter (October - December) of 2005 Is 10.2%

The factor is listed in (Dkt No 96-45: DA 05-2454). For more information please visit the FCC "Contribution Factors & Quarterly Filings" page.

Holiday Announcement – USAC will be closed Monday, September 5, 2005

Holiday Announcement - The Universal Service Administrative Company will be closed Monday, September 5, 2005 in observance of the Labor Day holiday. USAC will resume normal business operations Tuesday, September 6, 2005.

The Proposed Contribution Factor for the 3rd Quarter (July-September) of 2005 Is 10.2%

The factor is listed in (DA No. 05-1664) (Dkt No 96-45) [PDF, 137kb]. For more information please visit the FCC "Contribution Factors & Quarterly Filings" page.

Holiday Announcement - USAC will be closed Monday, May 30, 2005 in observance of Memorial Day.

USAC announces the issuance of Security Testing and Evaluation RFP

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for consulting services to perform Security Testing and Evaluation for the USAC general support system and specific applications. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on May 27, 2005.

USAC announces the issuance of services to evaluate and implement a vulnerability assessment solution RFP

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for consulting services to evaluate and implement a vulnerability assessment solution that addresses a broader and deeper set of capabilities than currently available. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on June 6, 2005.

The proposed contribution factor for the 2nd quarter (Apr-Jun) of 2005 is 11.1%

The proposed contribution factor for the 2nd quarter (Apr-Jun) of 2005 is 11.1%. For more information please visit the FCC Web site.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Centralized Logging Server Solution

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for consulting services to complete a Centralized Logging Server solution recommendation and follow-on implementation. Proposals must be submitted to USAC by 5 p.m. on April 18, 2005.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Service Level Agreement (SLA) review

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for consulting services to complete a Service Level Agreement (SLA) review, based on industry best practices and USAC business requirements. 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 April 15, 2005.

USAC Announces the Issuance of ISO 17799 Compliance Evaluation

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for consulting services to complete an ISO 17799 Compliance Evaluation. 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 April 4, 2005.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Secure and Managed Web Hosting RFP

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations to provide secure and managed web hosting of dedicated servers. 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 April 15, 2005.

USAC Announces the Issuance of Business Continuity Program RFP

The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is requesting proposals from organizations for consulting services to complete a Business Continuity Program Review and Update, including federal regulation compliance. 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 25, 2005.

USAC announces the issuance of Information Technology Benchmarking RFP

USAC desires to get insight into potentially more appropriate organizational structures and IT benchmarking as compared to similar industries/firms.  USAC is seeking unbiased, in-depth, technical research and advice to help it make informed enterprise architecture decisions.  USAC seeks a firm that has experience capturing performance measures relevant to its processes, systems and organizations.  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 January 21, 2005.