September 30, 2022
Extended Delivery Deadline for Certain FY2020 and FY2021 Funding Requests
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) extended certain E-Rate service implementation deadlines to September 30, 2023 for some Funding Year (FY) 2020 and 2021 applicants with non-recurring service deadlines for Category Two services that expired on September 30, 2022. In an order issued September 19 (DA 22-976), WCB extended the service implementation deadline an additional one year from September 30, 2022 to September 30, 2023, due to global supply chain disruptions and delays that schools and libraries are facing regarding the FY2020 and FY2021 requests. This relief applies to only FY2020 and FY2021 non-recurring service funding requests that currently have September 30, 2022 as the service implementation deadline for these services.
This change does not impact the contract end date (CED). If you have any CEDs before the new service delivery deadline (SDD), your CED will need to be updated by filing an FCC Form 500 before invoicing.
September 22, 2022
FCC Releases Hurricane Fiona Relief Order
On September 22, 2022, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released an Order (DA 22-998) that waives certain E-Rate, Emergency Connectivity Fund, Rural Health Care, COVID-19 Telehealth, Lifeline, and Affordable Connectivity Program rules and deadlines to assist participants and service providers, including Universal Service Fund contributors, located in the areas affected by Hurricane Fiona, which struck Puerto Rico on September 18, 2022. For detailed information, please refer to the Order.
September 15, 2022
USAC Announces E-Rate 2022 Fall Training Schedule
USAC has confirmed the E-Rate Fall 2022 Training dates for applicants and service providers that wish to learn more about the program and how to participate. The training sessions will once again be virtual, and registration for each session is now available. Click on the links below for each session to register for that specific training. The sessions are for E-Rate program participants at all levels and will include opportunities to ask questions. Eligible Services training will be scheduled once the FY2023 Eligible Services List is released.
E-Rate Program Overview: October 18, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: October 20, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM EDT
Category Two Budgets: October 25, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
EPC Administrative Window: October 27, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
E-Rate Post-Commitment Process: November 3, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
September 14, 2022
Legacy System and E-File Outage Due to System Maintenance: September 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, September 16 through 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 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.
September 14, 2022
E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) Outage Due to System Maintenance: September 18–19
The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) and the EPC training site will be unavailable from Sunday, September 18 at 7:00 p.m. ET through Monday, September 19 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.
