Announcements
May 26, 2023
Appeals of FY2023 USAC Decisions
USAC began issuing FY2023 funding commitment decision letters (FCDLs) on April 28, 2023. If you disagree with a USAC decision on your FCDL, USAC must receive your appeal within 60 days following the date when USAC issued the decision (i.e., within 60 days of the date of the letter). For more information, see the E-Rate program appeals guidelines.
May 26, 2023
June 30, 2023, is the last day to receive recurring services for Funding Year (FY) 2022
June 30, 2023, is the last day to receive recurring services for Funding Year (FY) 2022. If the same service provider will continue to provide your recurring service after June 30, you must use the Funding Request Number (FRN) approved for FY2023 when invoicing for recurring services that start July 1, 2023.
May 26, 2023
Summer Contact Period “Summer Deferral” Starts May 26
Starting May 26, if our first attempt to contact you is on or after May 26, and we do not receive a response to our questions, we will put your application on a deferred status and will continue the review of your application sometime after September 9. This is known as our “summer deferral period,” which extends from the Friday before Memorial Day (i.e., May 26, 2023) through the Friday following Labor Day (i.e., September 8, 2023).
May 26, 2023
E-Rate Discontinuing Search Commitment Tool
USAC will sunset the legacy Search Commitments Tool in June 2023. The tool has been replaced with the Open Data E-Rate Search Commitments Tool, which went live in March 2023. USAC will also sunset the legacy SPIN Search Tool in June 2023. Service Provider information, including the status of the Service Provider’s Annual Certification (SPAC), can be found in EPC or using the Service Provider Download Tool.
May 24, 2023
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: May 28 –29
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, May 28 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, May 29 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
May 18, 2023
Legacy System and E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance: May 19-20
The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program legacy systems and E-File will be unavailable from 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday, May 19 through 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 20 for system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to file invoices and use some of the search tools. The BEAR training site will also be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NOTE: The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) will not be affected by this maintenance.
May 8, 2023
UEI Required for E-Rate Applicants Friday, May 12
On April 6, 2022, the FCC released a Public Notice (DA-22-371) announcing that the General Services Administration’s SAM.gov will transition from the use of the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to the SAM.gov assigned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). On May 12, 2023, USAC will update the FCC Form 498 for all E-Rate applicants (who use or will use the BEAR method of reimbursement) to require entities to have an active UEI if they submit a new FCC Form 498 or if they modify their existing FCC Form 498 after May 12, 2023. Please refer to our April News Brief for more information.
April 26, 2023
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: April 30-May 1
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, April 30 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, May 1 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
April 21, 2023
E-Rate Systems Consolidation: Kick-off Webinar: April 27, 2023
The current system used by applicants and service providers to submit their invoices will soon be retired and “consolidated” into the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC). To help E-Rate participants prepare for this transition, USAC has devised a three-pronged training plan. The “Kick-Off” webinar will be held April 27, 2023 at 2 p.m. ET. This purpose of this webinar is the to announce the consolidation plan and subsequent training support.
This webinar is for E-Rate participants of all levels. Register to participate.
April 19, 2023
Legacy System and E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance: April 21-22
The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program legacy systems and E-File will be unavailable from 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday, April 21 through 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 22 for system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to file invoices and use some of the search tools. The BEAR training site will also be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NOTE: The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) will not be affected by this maintenance.
April 11, 2023
Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review and Selective Review Process Webinar
USAC will host a Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) Review and Selective Review Process Webinar, April 25, 2023 at 2 p.m. This webinar will provide E-Rate participates with an overview of the Program Integrity Assurance (PIA), Selective Review and the funding decision processes. Register to participate.
March 29, 2023
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: April 2-3
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, April 02 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, April 03 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
March 24, 2023
UEI Requirement Coming Soon
All E-Rate applicants using the BEAR method of reimbursement will be required to have an active SAM.gov assigned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to submit a new FCC Form 498 or to modify their existing FCC Form 498. This update will occur in the second quarter of 2023. Additional information can be found in the February 16, 2023 E-Rate News Brief.
March 24, 2023
Legacy System and E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance: March 17-18
The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program legacy systems and E-File will be unavailable from 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday, March 17 through 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 18 for system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to file invoices and use some of the search tools. The BEAR training site will also be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
March 14, 2023
Reminder to File Early: FY2023 Application Filing Window
The Funding Year (FY) 2023 FCC Form 471 application filing window is now open. The application filing window will close Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. Please do not wait until the last minute to complete and certify your form, especially if you have questions about the information to include on your form. For assistance, call Customer Service Center (CSC) at (888) 203-8100.
March 13, 2023
Seven Defendants Sentenced for Defrauding E-Rate
The United Stated Department of Justice announced last month the sentencing of seven defendants who pled guilty to defrauding the E-Rate program of several million dollars in technology funding for Rockland County schools in New York. Read the full Press Release here.
March 13, 2023
E-Rate Customer Service Extends Additional Hours
The Customer Service Center (CSC) has added additional hours to support applicants in advance of the close of the FY2023 FCC Form 471 application filing window. The application filing window will close Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET.
The extended hours for the CSC are as follows:
- Friday, March 24 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, March 25 – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, March 26 – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday, March 27 – 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 28 – 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
March 7, 2023
FY2023 Filing Window Closes: March 28
The Funding Year (FY) 2023 FCC Form 471 application filing window is now open. The application filing window will close Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at 11:59:59 p.m. ET. Please do not wait until the last minute to complete and certify your form, especially if you have questions about the information to include on your form.
March 1, 2023
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: March 5-6
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, March 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, March 6 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
February 16, 2023
Two New Open Data Tools
Two new open data tools are now live including the E-Rate Search Commitments tool and the E-Rate Window Reporting tool. The Search Commitments tool provides commitment data by funding year and E-Rate wave data for FY2016+ and includes easy to use filters, several data visualizations, and a detailed report that can be exported. The Window Reporting tool provides the latest application window data for FY2023 and also includes filters, visualizations, and a detailed report.
February 16, 2023
E-Rate Payment File Delay
The E-Rate payment file scheduled for today, February 16th, has been delayed. USAC will return to its regular payment schedule next week
February 16, 2023
Certify FCC Form 470 Deadline: February 28
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 is the last date that you can submit and certify an FCC Form 470 and still wait the required 28 days before submitting and certifying your FCC Form 471 by March 28, 2023, the last date of the FY2023 FCC Form 471 application filing window.
February 15, 2023
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Office Hour
This webinar event is designed as a question and answer session. Participants should review the prerequisite materials prior to the webinar and come with questions for the subject matter experts. We will have subject matter experts to answer questions about the competitive bidding process and filing FCC Form 471. This is recommended for applicants and service providers of all E-Rate experience levels.
Register to participate.
Materials to review before the training include:
February 15, 2023
Legacy System and E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance: February 17-18
The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program legacy systems and E-File will be unavailable from 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday, February 17 through 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 18 for system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to file invoices and use some of the search tools. The BEAR training site will also be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NOTE: The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) will not be affected by this maintenance.
February 1, 2023
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: February 5-6
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, February 6 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.
January 30, 2023
FCC Seeking Comment: Public Notice DA 22-1315
The FCC is seeking comment on the use of E-Rate funds to support advanced or next-generation firewalls and services, as well as other network security services. A public notice was released (DA 22-1315) on December 14, 2022 with comments due February 13, 2023, and reply comments due March 30, 2023.
January 10, 2023
Customer Service Center(CSC) Open January 16
The CSC will be open January 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday) from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to assist E-Rate applicants in making updates to their EPC profiles. This is the last day the EPC Administrative Window will be open to make those changes prior to the start of the FY2023 Filing Window.
December 30, 2022
E-Rate Eligible Services List: Office Hour Webinar January 26
USAC will hold the E-Rate Eligible Services List Office Hour Webinar January 26 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. E-Rate experts will provide an overview of E-Rate eligible services. Prerequisite materials to review before the training include:
FY2023 Eligible Services List
Eligible Services 101 Webinar recording and slides
After the presentation, we will conduct a live Q&A session. Register to participate.
Recommended for: Applicants and service providers
E-Rate experience level: All levels
December 30, 2022
E-Rate Service Provider Selection and the FCC Form 471 Office Hour: January 24
USAC will hold the E-Rate Service Provider Selection and the FCC Form 471 Office Hour January 24 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET. E-Rate experts will provide an overview of the service provider selection process and how to apply for program discounts on the FCC Form 471. Prerequisite materials to review before the training include:
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process Webinar recording and slides
FCC Form 471 video series video series
After the presentation, we will conduct a live Q&A session. Register to participate.
Recommended for: Applicants and service providers
E-Rate experience level: All levels
December 30, 2022
E-Rate Competitive Bidding (FCC Form 470) Office Hour: January 19
USAC will hold the E-Rate Competitive Bidding (FCC Form 470) and Guiding Statements Overview and Office Hour January 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET
E-Rate experts will provide an overview of the competitive bidding process and submitting the FCC Form 470. Prerequisite materials to review before the training include:
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process Webinar
FCC Form 470 Videos
FCC Form 470 Filing EPC System Guide
FCC Form 470 Search Guide
FCC Form 470 Services Guiding Statement Table
Lowest Corresponding Price
After the presentation, we will conduct a live Q&A session. Register to participate.
Recommended for: Applicants and service providers
E-Rate experience level: All levels
December 23, 2022
USAC Customer Service Centers (CSC) Closed – Christmas Holiday
In observance of the Christmas holiday, the USAC Customer Service Centers will be closed on Sunday, December 25 (per usual weekend closure), and Monday, December 26.
The Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Customer Service Centers will be closed on Sunday, December 25, and will reopen on Monday, December 26.
To find CSC contact information, weekly hours, and the annual holiday closure schedule, visit our Contact Us webpage.
December 21, 2022
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Administrative Window Closes January 16, 2023
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Administrative Window will close January 16. Update your E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) profile by January 16, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET to ensure a smoother filing process and more timely review of your applications. You will not be able to make changes to your organization’s profile in EPC after that date.
December 21, 2022
Funding Year 2023 Application Filing Window Opens January 18, 2023
The Funding Year (FY) 2023 FCC Form 471 application filing window opens on Wednesday, January 18, 2023, at 12:00 noon ET and closes on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 is the last date that applicants can certify an FCC Form 470 and still have time to wait the required 28 days and certify their FCC Form 471 before the application filing window closes on March 28, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
December 19, 2022
FY2023 E-Rate Eligible Services Webinar: January 5
USAC will provide an overview of E-Rate eligible services and discuss the FY2023 Eligible Services List (ESL) on January 5, 2023 at 2p.m. While the webinar is for attendees at all levels, there is a focus towards new and beginning level participants. After the presentation, we will conduct a Q&A session. Register to participate.
Recommended for: Applicants and service providers
E-Rate experience level: All levels
December 16, 2022
Winter Deferral Period: December 16, 2022- January 6, 2023
USAC recognizes that many E-Rate program participants are unavailable during the winter holiday season and offers a “Winter Deferral” during this time.
The winter deferral extends from the Friday before Christmas Day through the Friday following New Year’s Day. This year the winter deferral period is from Friday, December 16, 2022 through Friday, January 6, 2023.
December 14, 2022
FCC Releases FY2023 Eligible Services List
The FCC has released the Eligible Services List (ESL) for Funding Year (FY) 2023 (DA-22-1313, released December 14, 2022). Appendix B contains the ESL.
December 14, 2022
Legacy System and E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance: December 16-17
The Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program legacy systems and E-File will be unavailable from 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday, December 16 through 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 17 for system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to file invoices and use some of the search tools. The BEAR training site will also be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience.
NOTE: The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) will not be affected by this maintenance.
December 8, 2022
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: December 11 –12
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, December 12 at 1:00 a.m. ET for monthly system maintenance. During this time, users will be unable to log in to and use EPC. We apologize for any inconvenience.