Q1: When is the upgrade?

A1: September 1 at 5p.m. EDT (next Tuesday) will be the LAST day to submit any online forms or to interact with our database in order to get up to date status of any type until the upgrade has been completed.

Q1: Are there other important dates I should keep in mind?

A1: September 3 - last payment file run prior to starting the upgrade.
       September 2-13 - system will not be available to submit online forms or to interact with the database.
       September 14 9a.m. EDT -upgrade completed and the system back in service for all functions.
       September 17 - first payment file run after upgrade.

Q1: I am an applicant or service provider. What steps should I take as a result of the upgrade?

A1: Submit anything that you can either before the upgrade or after the upgrade.

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Q1: Will Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs), Revised FCDLs, and Administrator Decision Letters (ADLs) be issued during the upgrade?

A1: No. PIA and appeals funding commitments and ADLs will not be issued during the upgrade.

Q2: Will service providers receive payments during the upgrade?

A2: Payment files will not be run during the upgrade.

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Q1: Can I post a Form 470 ONLINE during the upgrade?

A1: No. The ONLINE system will not be available during the upgrade. If you want to post a Form 470 online, we suggest that you complete your posting during the month of August..

Q2: Will posted Forms 470 be visible during the upgrade?

A2: USAC will post Forms 470 filed on or after July 21, 2009 as *.PDF files to the USAC website to allow applicants' 28-day clocks to continue to run. We will also remind service providers to take advantage of the Form 470 Download Reports tool to download information in bulk before the upgrade begins.

Q3: How can I get a Form 470 posted during the upgrade?

A3: You can submit your Form 470 ON PAPER and mail it to us, following the instructions in the form. USAC will review the information on your form, perform any necessary problem resolution, create a *.PDF copy of the form, and then post it on the USAC website.

Q4: What should I expect when I submit a paper Form 470?

A4: Paper Forms 470 received after the upgrade starts will be reviewed. If data are missing or inconsistent, the applicant will be contacted and asked to make corrections. Once any corrections have been made, the form will be posted to the USAC website in a *.PDF format with the other posted forms and the applicant's 28-day clock will start.

Q5: My 28-day waiting period ends during the upgrade; will service providers be able to see my Form 470?

A5: Yes. Your Form 470 will be posted on the USAC website in a *.PDF format, and your 28-day clock will continue to run. However, USAC will not issue Form 470 Receipt Notification Letters until after the upgrade is complete.

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Q1: I am a service provider. Can I submit forms online?

A1: You will be able to submit Form 498 and Form 499 online. The system that processes these forms is not affected by the upgrade. You will not be able to submit a SPI Form 474 online or approve a BEAR Form 472 online.

Q2: I am an applicant. Can I submit ONLINE applications and invoices during the upgrade?

A2: No. The system will not be available for filing applications and invoices online during the upgrade.

Q3: Once I submit a program form online, will I receive a notification letter?

A3: In general, if you submit the form online before the upgrade, USAC will issue you a notification letter. Remember, however, that some forms undergo additional review before USAC issues the letter.

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Q1: What should I expect when I submit a program form on paper (Form 486, 472, 473, 474, or 500)?

A1: USAC will hold your paper form until the upgrade is complete. Your postmark date will be preserved. You can contact the Client Service Bureau (CSB) at 888-203-8100 or by fax at (888) 276-8736 to confirm receipt of your form if you wish to do so.

Q2: What should I expect when I submit a Form 498 or Form 499 on paper?

A2: USAC will process your form as usual. The system that processes these forms is not affected by the upgrade.

Q3: Once I submit a form on paper, will I receive a notification letter?

A3: In general, if USAC was able to complete data entry of your form before the upgrade, USAC will issue a notification letter promptly. If you submit a paper form during the upgrade, USAC will hold your form until the upgrade is complete. USAC will issue a notification letter after your form has been processed and the letter generation process has resumed. Remember that this applies also to the paper Forms 470 that USAC will be posting to the website during the upgrade.

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Q1: Will website tools be available?

A1: In general, website tools will not be available during the upgrade. Please note that if you have bookmarked some tools and are able to access them, the data will not be refreshed during the upgrade.

Q2: Can I use Submit a Question during the upgrade?

A2: The Submit a Question tool will not be available during the upgrade. You can fax your request to the Client Service Bureau at (888) 276-8736 or call (888) 203-8100.

Q3: Can I find a certified Technology Plan Approver?

A3: The Certified Tech Plan Approver (TPA) locator tool will not be available during the upgrade. If you need help finding a TPA, you can contact CSB.

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Q1: My 15-day response deadline ends during the upgrade. What should I do?

A1: You should still submit your documents to your reviewer or requestor. If you need additional time, please request an extension prior to your deadline.

Q2: Will I still be able to view the status of my Form 471 application on USAC's website?

A2: The Form 471 application status tool will not be available. Your PIA reviewer and the Client Service Bureau will not have access to the system and will not be able to tell you about the status of your application.

Q3: Will extensions to respond be granted automatically?

A3: No, but you can request an extension from your reviewer or requestor.

Q4: Will USAC continue to review applications?

A4: No. Application review will not occur during the upgrade.

Q5: Will someone be available to answer questions about my application?

A5: Some reviewers will be available during the upgrade, and CSB can answer general program questions. However, no one at USAC will have access to USAC's systems during the upgrade. We suggest that you call after the upgrade is completed if your answer would require access to USAC's systems.

Q6: How can I find out the status of my invoice?

A6: Your reviewer and CSB will not be able to give you the status of your invoice. CSB can confirm receipt of a paper form.

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Q1: My appeal deadline occurs during the upgrade. How can I submit my appeal?

A1: Submit your appeal as you would normally do. There is no impact on how appeals are submitted.

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Q1: I have an open question with CSB. Will they be able to respond to my question during the upgrade?

A1: If CSB escalates your question and receives an answer during the upgrade, they can respond to your question. Remember, however, that no one at USAC will have access to the online systems during the upgrade. We suggest that you call CSB after the upgrade has been completed.

Q2: Can CSB create a new entity number or update my entity information?

A2: No. CSB will not have access to the system needed to create and update entity numbers and information.

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Q1: IMy service delivery deadline for non-recurring services is September 30 and I need to request a service delivery extension. What should I do?

A1: We recommend you submit your request as soon as possible, but definitely on or before September 30. However, USAC will not be able to process your request until after the upgrade is complete. Remember that you cannot use Submit a Question during the upgrade. You should retain a copy of your fax confirmation or proof of postmark for your records.

Q2: I need to request an invoice deadline extension. What should I do?

A2: We recommend you submit your request as soon as possible, but definitely on or before October 28, 2009 if your last date to receive service was June 30, 2009. However, USAC will not be able to process your request until after the upgrade is complete. Remember that you cannot use Submit a Question during the upgrade. You should retain a copy of your fax confirmation or proof of postmark for your records.

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Q1: Will I be able to submit requests, such as service substitutions, SPIN changes, Good Samaritans, and entity removals?

A1: Yes. You can fax or mail your request to USAC. However, USAC will not be able to process your request until after the upgrade is complete. Remember that you cannot use Submit a Question during the upgrade. You should retain a copy of your fax confirmation or proof of postmark for your records.

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