Step 1 Technology Planning

Approval Process

To ensure that technology plans are based on the reasonable needs and resources of the applicant, and that they are compatible with the goals of the Schools and Libraries Program, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires independent approval of an applicant's technology plan (FCC Order 97-157). Applicants can locate a technology plan approver by using the Search for Tech Plan Approvers tool.

Technology Plan Certification

The technology plan approver is expected to use the criteria and standards outlined in the Technology Plan Scope and Timeframe.

USAC will provide a letter of certification to each approving entity. Each approver should provide a copy of a document similar to the Sample Technology Plan Approval Form to the school district, school, library system, or library to certify that its plan has been approved and is consistent with the criteria listed above in Elements of a Technology Plan and in the checklist on the sample form. When an FCC Form 486 is submitted to USAC, the applicant will be required to identify the entity that approved the technology plan for each eligible school or library receiving services on the form. During a program integrity review, a school or library may be required to produce a document similar to the Sample Technology Plan Certification Form, in order to document approval of its technology plan.

Specific guidance is available on the approval process for state education agencies and public schools, non-public schools, libraries or state library agencies and BIE, District of Columbia, Hawaii, and U.S. Territory schools or districts.