Before You're Done

Operational Changes

An operational Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN) change may only be requested by the applicant. It can be requested for tariffed, month-to-month, or contracted services.

SPIN Changes for FY2011 and Beyond

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) permits operational SPIN changes when:

1. The SPIN change is allowed under the applicant’s state and local procurement rules
2. The SPIN change is allowable under the terms of any contract between the applicant and its original service provider
3. The applicant has notified its original service provider of its intent to change service providers
4. There is a legitimate reason to change providers (e.g. breach of contract or the service provider is unable to perform the requested services)
5. The newly selected service provider received the next highest point value in the original bid evaluation (If the applicant did not receive multiple bids, the applicant must submit a statement explaining that it received only one or no bids)

The last two requirements are new, beginning in Funding Year 2011. Changing service providers because the services are available at a lower cost from another provider or because you now wish to do business with a provider that did not originally participate in the competitive bidding process are not considered legitimate reasons for change, and requests citing such reasons will be denied.

When to File Requests

A SPIN change request for a Funding Request Number (FRN) must be postmarked or received no earlier than the date of the FCDL and no later than the last date to submit an invoice for that FRN.

USAC is concerned about its ability to pay the appropriate service provider depending on when service provider changes are made and when SPIN change requests are received and approved. If a service provider is changed before USAC approves a SPIN change request, there is a possibility that USAC will inadvertently pay the old service provider. To minimize that possibility, applicants should notify USAC of their intent to change service providers as soon as the decision is made and should advise USAC of the proposed effective date of the change.

In order to reduce confusion and possible delays, applicants should request the SPIN change sufficiently in advance of the change so that USAC has time to process the request before the submission of any invoices for services rendered by the new provider. Once the request is received, USAC will make no additional payments on the FRN until the SPIN change is reviewed and either (1) approved and the SPIN is changed or (2) denied and USAC verifies that additional invoices are for services actually rendered to the applicant by the original service provider.

Conditional Multi-year Contracts

If the applicant has a multi-year contract with the service provider from which it wishes to switch, it may switch to a multi-year contract with a new service provider without posting a new FCC Form 470 and waiting at least 28 days.

The multi-year contract with the new service provider must have an expiration date no later than the original contract. Neither contract should be longer than any term for the contract described in the original FCC Form 470 or the RFP under which the original service provider was selected.

Service Substitutions

A change in service provider, by itself, does not allow a substitution in the specific products or services to be supplied.

Applicants may make a simultaneous request for both service substitution and change in service provider by (1) following the steps as outlined in the service substitutions procedure, and (2) including the service provider change letter described below as an additional attachment to the service substitution request.

In the event that a simultaneous service substitution and service provider change cannot be granted due to a problem with one request or the other, we will contact the applicant to determine if USAC should continue to process the remaining request.

How to Apply

You can request an operational SPIN change by indicating the original service provider name and SPIN indicated on the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) and the correct service provider name/SPIN to be reflected on USAC records.

Operational SPIN change requests must be in writing. You must supply the following information in your request.

The request may be sent by U.S. mail, fax, or email.

U.S. Mail
The letter should be labeled "Operational SPIN Change" and sent to:
Operational SPIN Change
Schools and Libraries
30 Lanidex Plaza West
PO Box 685
Parsippany, NJ 07054-0685

Fax
Please include a fax cover page to ATTN: Operational SPIN Change and indicate the number of pages you are faxing. The fax number is (973) 599-6526.

Email
Prepare your request as described above and name and/or title it “Operational SPIN Change Request.”

Go to the Submit a Question feature on the USAC website and click “Continue.” Choose “SPIN Changes” from the topic inquiry menu and then select your specific Inquiry from the question menu. Follow the instructions for submitting an attachment to submit your request to USAC.