Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- Site Visits
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Consortia – Lead Member Responsibilities
The consortium leader is responsible for ensuring that necessary certifications are made and for responding to USAC inquiries on behalf of the eligible consortium members during both pre- and post-commitment processes.
Pre-commitment Process
The consortium leader can be an entity or person that files the application and makes certifications on the Form 471. When the consortium leader makes the Form 471 certifications, the leader is certifying that:
- Each consortium member is covered by a properly prepared technology plan that:
- was written prior to posting the Form 470 for the products/services requested,
- includes the required five elements of the technology plan, and
- is effective for the Funding Year cited on the Form 470 and Form 471.
- Each member has secured access to all the necessary resources (i.e.,computers, training, software, maintenance and electrical connections) to make effective use of the requested discounts.
- Each member has complied with state and local procurement laws as well as all Schools and Libraries Program rules.
The leader may be asked during a Program Integrity Assurance review to provide documentation that supports these certifications.
During consortia application reviews, USAC will ask the consortium leader to present the consortium members’ Letter of Agency (LOA) or other documentation to demonstrate that each consortium member was aware – and had expressly authorized – that discounted services would be sought on its behalf. If the LOA is not available, or was dated after the Form 471 was certified, it can result in a reduction to or denial of the funding request.
The consortium leader is also responsible for ensuring that the services for which the consortium requests discounts are the services that the members have authorized in the LOAs. Failure to do so may result in the denial or modification of funding requests for consortium members.
Post Commitment Process
The consortium leader must collect a signed Form 479, Certification by Administrative Authority to Billed Entity of Compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, from each consortium member prior to completing the Form 486, Receipt of Service Confirmation Form. The Form 479 is not required if the Form 486 indicates funding was only for Telecommunications Services. The consortium leader should not submit Forms 479 to USAC but should retain them for their records.
