How to Apply to Restore My Network to pre-Hurricane Katrina Functionality

Follow these instructions if you were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina and require funding to restore your network to its level of functionality prior to Hurricane Katrina. Complete the following steps to ensure that your request is processed in the special Hurricane Katrina window established by the Federal Communications Commission order released March 1, 2006 (FCC 06-23).

1. Review your technology plan to ensure that it supports and validates the services that you need to “restore [your] network to the functional equivalent of the pre-Hurricane Katrina degree of functionality” and to ensure that it covers any additional products or services necessary to service your increased population. If not, revise the plan. If substantial revisions are necessary, your plan must be approved by a USAC-certified technology plan approver.

2. Determine if you need to post a new Description of Services Requested and Certification (Form 470). If you have a valid contract that covers the goods and services that you are going to purchase, and that contract was awarded pursuant to the posting a Form 470, then you do not need to post a new Form 470. If your contract has expired, doesn’t cover the goods and services you are requesting, or you never had a contract before, you will need to file a Form 470.

3. Your Form 470 can only be submitted on paper.

1. In your 10-digit Applicant Form Identifier, please include the suffix “-K” to indicate that this form is being filed during this special window.
2. The Funding Year for this application (Block 1, Item 2) is July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007.
3. In Block 2, Item 13, insert the following: “This Form 470 is being filed to obtain Schools and Libraries Universal Service Fund relief provided by FCC Order 06-23, and is for services that will be needed in Funding Year 2006.”
4. Complete the rest of the form in accordance with the existing Form 470 instructions.
5. Write “Katrina” on the outside of your envelope so that we can quickly identify it.
6. Use an expedited mail service or some other means that will allow you to track your mail. Request delivery confirmation. Further information can be found in the Form 470 Instructions and in the Reference Area of the Schools & Libraries section of the USAC website under “Proof of Postmark or Delivery.” Use the appropriate address stated in the form instructions for USPS Express Delivery or for other carriers. Remember that you must submit your Form 470 in time for USAC to data enter and post it to the USAC website by September 4, 2006. Note that your Form 470 Block 5 certifications must also be received or postmarked before the close of this special window on October 2, 2006.

You will receive a Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter after your Form 470 has been successfully posted to USAC’s website. We recommend that you check the Schools & Libraries section of the USAC website frequently so that you can quickly determine your Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date. This date is 28 days after USAC posts your Form 470, not 28 days after you send your Form 470.

4. On or after your Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date, you may select your service provider(s). Be sure to document your competitive bidding process carefully, and comply with all FCC rules as well as your own state and local procurement rules. For contracted services, make sure that both the applicant and the service provider sign and date the contract.

5. Once the required 28 days have passed and you have selected your service provider(s), file your Description of Services Ordered and Certification Form (Form 471).
6. Your Form 471 can only be submitted on paper.

1. In your 10-digit Applicant Form Identifier, include the suffix “-K” to indicate that this form is being filed during this special window.
2. The Funding Year for this application (Block 1, Item 2) is July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007.
3. Complete the rest of the form in accordance with the existing Form 471 instructions.
4. Print, complete, sign and date the required Special Hurricane Katrina Certifications.
5. Include the following when you submit your Form 471:
1. Completed and signed Special Hurricane Katrina Certifications
2. Item 21 attachment(s)
3. Completed Form 471.
6. Write “Katrina” on the outside of your envelope so that we can quickly identify it.
7. Postmark your application by the close of the special window at 11:59 p.m. EDT on October 2, 2006.
8. Be sure to use an expedited mail service or some other means that will allow you to track your mail, and prove that the application was postmarked or delivered during window. Further information is provided in the Form 471 Instructions and is posted in the Reference Area of the Schools & Libraries section of the USAC website under “Proof of Postmark or Delivery.” Use the appropriate address stated in the form instructions for USPS Express Delivery or for other carriers.

Please review your Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgement Letter (RAL) as soon as you receive it.The RAL states that corrections must be submitted within three weeks. If you are contacted by our Program Integrity Assurance Team regarding your application, you may provide them with any corrections as well.

The Application Status Tool will help you monitor the receipt and processing of your application. This tool is available in the Apply Online area of the Schools & Libraries section of the USAC website. Your application(s) will appear under Funding Year 2006.

Once we have completed our review of your application, you and your selected service provider(s) will be issued Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs).