FCC Form 470 Filing

The posting of an applicant’s FCC Form 470 (Description of Services Requested and Certification Form) opens the required competitive bidding process. 

Purpose of FCC Form 470 

After an applicant certifies an FCC Form 470 in the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), it is posted publicly. Applicants can also issue a request for proposals (RFP) or related bidding document. Service providers can then review the posted FCC Form 470 information and submit bids. 

Some state or local procurement rules or regulations require applicants to issue an RFP in addition to the FCC Form 470. In addition, FCC rules require applicants to issue an RFP for certain service type requests – for example, dark fiber special construction. 

Applicants may choose to issue an RFP even though one is not required by their state or local procurement regulations. However, FCC rules require that, if applicants issue an RFP, it must be uploaded as part of the online FCC Form 470 filing process. 

When to File FCC Form 470 

The FCC Form 470 can be filed for a particular funding year as soon as USAC posts a notice that the FCC Form 470 for that funding year is available on this website. This notice is generally posted about 12 months before the start of a funding year. 

Note: If an RFP is issued, it must also be uploaded as part of the online FCC Form 470 filing process. 

Deadline: The FCC Form 470 must be certified in EPC at least 28 days before the close of the FCC Form 471 filing window for the funding year in which services and/or products are requested. 

How to File FCC Form 470 

Applicants will create a profile and login information in EPC before filing the FCC Form 470. Applicants must file the FCC Form 470 in EPC. To access EPC, log in to One Portal, USAC’s multi-factor authentication (MFA) platform. 

To learn how this process works in detail, including what action can be completed based on your user rights, review the Course Summary and watch the FCC Form 470 video series below. 

Course 1: How to file an FCC Form 470

How to File an FCC Form 470

45:00

Course 1: How to file an FCC Form 470  

• Accessing the FCC Form 471 and reviewing/inputting your entity’s basic information 

• How to Complete Category 1 & Category 2 service requests 

• Certifying the FCC Form 470 

• Successfully upload the RFP after having certified the FCC Form 471 

Course 2: Search for FCC Forms 470

Search for FCC Forms 470

12:25

Course 2: Search for FCC Forms 470 

• How to search for FCC Forms 470 in EPC 

• Search and export certified FCC Forms 470 

• View the applicant information 

• View the form and RFP documents 

• Exporting search results 

Course 3: The E-Rate Competitive Bidding Process

The E-Rate Competitive Bidding Process

5:00

Course 3: The E-Rate Competitive Bidding Process 

• What is needed to begin

• Certifying the FCC Form 470 

• Documents to retain 

Related User Guides 

• FY2025+ FCC Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Table 

• FCC Form 470 Search User Guide  

• Previous Funding Year Guides: 
  • FCC Form 470 Services Guiding Statements Reference Table (FY2022-24) 
  • FCC Form 470 Category One Services Drop-Down Menu Reference Table (FY2019-FY 2021) 
  • FCC Form 470 Filing EPC System Guide (FY2022-FY2023)

After Filing

USAC issues an FCC Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter (RNL) to the applicant through EPC upon successful data entry and certification of an FCC Form 470.