Glossary of Terms

Terms	Program	Definitions
498 Company Officer	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. The 498 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.
498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A unique nine-digit number that USAC assigns to a service provider once that service provider has submitted the FCC Form 498 to USAC. Every service provider is required to have a 498 ID/SPIN to participate in any of the four universal service programs and receive payments from USAC. E-Rate program applicants who select the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) invoicing process also need to complete an FCC Form 498 and will receive an applicant 498 ID.
Allowable Contract Selection Date (ACSD)	Rural Health Care	The earliest date on which an RHC applicant may enter into a service agreement with a service provider. This date must fall at least 28 calendar days after the applicant posts the FCC Form 461 or 465 to USAC’s website.
Appeal	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A request to reconsider a USAC decision. Any party that wishes to appeal must first do so with USAC before filing an appeal with the FCC. Once USAC has made a decision on an appeal, the party may appeal USAC’s decision to the FCC. Parties seeking a waiver of FCC rules should file an appeal directly with the FCC because USAC cannot waive FCC rules. For more information, visit USAC’s Appeals page.
Appeal Decision Letter (ADL)	Rural Health Care	A formal letter USAC sends to an appellant explaining its appeal decision. If USAC makes a new decision to deny funding following an appeal, the appellant will have 60 days from the date of the decision letter to file an appeal with the FCC. For more information on filing FCC appeals, visit USAC’s Appeals page.
Appeal Packet of Information	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The appeal and supporting documents submitted to USAC by the appellant.
Appeal Summary	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	A summary of the facts, logic and recommended decision about an appeal written by an Initial Reviewer at USAC. See also Initial Reviewer.
Appellant	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The individual or entity filing an appeal of a USAC decision. To see where to send an appeal, visit USAC’s Appeals page.
Applicant	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	The entity applying for universal service support. In the RHC and E-Rate programs, an applicant may be an individual organization or a consortium composed of multiple organizations.
Approved	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been reviewed and found to be compliant with FCC program rules and/or USAC standards.
Approved Support File (ASF)	Rural Health Care	Confirmation of Universal Service (USF) funds to be disbursed to RHC applicants.
Audit	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	An examination of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules. USAC conducts audits through the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit (BCAP) and Supply Chain Audit Program (SCAP) programs in accordance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.
Authorized Users	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers	The employee(s) of a service provider company, established by the Company Officer or General Contact, authorized to enter and modify company information on FCC Forms 498 and 499 through the E-File application. For more information, visit USAC’s Entitlements Guide.
Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	An audit program through which USAC confirms program compliance and the amounts of recoverable funds among universal service beneficiaries and contributors. BCAP audits may be performed by USAC’s internal audit staff or a firm under contract to USAC. For more details, visit USAC’s BCAP webpage.
Bid	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	A response from a service provider (bidder) to a request for services. RHC and E-Rate program applicants request bids from service providers by posting their service needs to USAC’s website for a minimum of 28 days.
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.
Collections Team	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	The team within USAC’s Accounting department responsible for recovering funds.
Commission	E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers	A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.
Commitment Adjustment	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	The process by which a universal service funding commitment is reduced by USAC. See also COMAD Letter.
Commitment Adjustment (COMAD) Letter	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	Letter that USAC sends to a USF applicant whose funding commitment needs to be fully or partially adjusted (de-committed), including recovery of funds, if necessary. The letter explains the adjustment reason and amount and details whether universal service funds must be returned as a result of the adjustment. The letter also provides information on how to appeal the adjustment decision. Appeals must be received within 60 days of the date on the COMAD letter.
Competitive Bidding Process	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	The process through which E-Rate and RHC applicants request bids for telecommunications and broadband services and equipment from service provider companies. USAC program rules stipulate that applicants to either program conduct a “fair and open” competitive procurement by posting bid requests to USAC’s online portals for a minimum of 28 days.
Connected Care Pilot Program (CCPP)	Rural Health Care	A three-year pilot program established by the FCC that ended on December 31, 2025. It provided up to $100 million of universal service support to help defray eligible HCPs’ costs of providing connected care services and helped assess how USF funds could have been used to support connected care services. In selecting pilot projects from eligible HCPs, the FCC had a strong preference for pilot projects that primarily benefitted low-income Americans or veterans. CCPP provided an 85% subsidy to eligible projects for eligible services.
Consolidated Post Audit Tracking System (CPATS)	Rural Health Care, Lifeline	A central repository used by USAC’s audit teams to administer workflows across divisions.
Consortium	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	A group of entities that apply together for universal service funding. In the E-Rate program, consortia can run competitive bid processes and/or apply for discounts on behalf of their members. In the RHC program, non-rural eligible HCPs may join consortia that are majority (50%+) rural but may not receive universal service support against their costs and expenses.
Consultant	E-Rate, Rural Health Care	A company or individual (non-employee of the entity) selected to perform certain activities related to the application process on behalf of the applicant or service provider for a fee. A Letter of Agency (LOA) or consultant agreement must be in place before the consultant undertakes these activities.

498 Company Officer

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The officer of a service provider company who is authorized to certify that data set forth in the FCC Form 498 is true, accurate, and complete. The 498 Company Officer has access to certify forms through USAC’s E-File system and occupies a position specified in the company’s corporate by-laws (or partnership agreement): typically, president, vice president of operations, vice president of finance, CFO, comptroller, treasurer, or a comparable position. If the reporting entity is a sole proprietorship, the owner must serve as the certifier.

498 ID/Service Provider Identification Number (SPIN)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A unique nine-digit number that USAC assigns to a service provider once that service provider has submitted the FCC Form 498 to USAC. Every service provider is required to have a 498 ID/SPIN to participate in any of the four universal service programs and receive payments from USAC. E-Rate program applicants who select the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) invoicing process also need to complete an FCC Form 498 and will receive an applicant 498 ID.

Allowable Contract Selection Date (ACSD)

Rural Health Care

The earliest date on which an RHC applicant may enter into a service agreement with a service provider. This date must fall at least 28 calendar days after the applicant posts the FCC Form 461 or 465 to USAC’s website.

Appeal

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A request to reconsider a USAC decision. Any party that wishes to appeal must first do so with USAC before filing an appeal with the FCC. Once USAC has made a decision on an appeal, the party may appeal USAC’s decision to the FCC. Parties seeking a waiver of FCC rules should file an appeal directly with the FCC because USAC cannot waive FCC rules. For more information, visit USAC’s Appeals page.

Appeal Decision Letter (ADL)

Rural Health Care

A formal letter USAC sends to an appellant explaining its appeal decision. If USAC makes a new decision to deny funding following an appeal, the appellant will have 60 days from the date of the decision letter to file an appeal with the FCC. For more information on filing FCC appeals, visit USAC’s Appeals page.

Appeal Packet of Information

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The appeal and supporting documents submitted to USAC by the appellant.

Appeal Summary

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

A summary of the facts, logic and recommended decision about an appeal written by an Initial Reviewer at USAC. See also Initial Reviewer.

Appellant

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The individual or entity filing an appeal of a USAC decision. To see where to send an appeal, visit USAC’s Appeals page.

Applicant

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The entity applying for universal service support. In the RHC and E-Rate programs, an applicant may be an individual organization or a consortium composed of multiple organizations.

Approved

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The status that USAC designates to an FCC form that has been reviewed and found to be compliant with FCC program rules and/or USAC standards.

Approved Support File (ASF)

Rural Health Care

Confirmation of Universal Service (USF) funds to be disbursed to RHC applicants.

Audit

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

An examination of documentation and resources that verify the state of compliance with program rules. USAC conducts audits through the Beneficiary and Contributor Audit (BCAP) and Supply Chain Audit Program (SCAP) programs in accordance with the Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards.

Authorized Users

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, High Cost, Service Providers

The employee(s) of a service provider company, established by the Company Officer or General Contact, authorized to enter and modify company information on FCC Forms 498 and 499 through the E-File application. For more information, visit USAC’s Entitlements Guide.

Beneficiary and Contributor Audit Program (BCAP)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

An audit program through which USAC confirms program compliance and the amounts of recoverable funds among universal service beneficiaries and contributors. BCAP audits may be performed by USAC’s internal audit staff or a firm under contract to USAC. For more details, visit USAC’s BCAP webpage.

Bid

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A response from a service provider (bidder) to a request for services. RHC and E-Rate program applicants request bids from service providers by posting their service needs to USAC’s website for a minimum of 28 days.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

The general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by federal government agencies and executive branch departments. Telecommunications rules are located in Title 47 of the CFR. For specific language, see a digital version of the CFR.

Collections Team

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

The team within USAC’s Accounting department responsible for recovering funds.

Commission

E-Rate, Rural Health Care, Lifeline, High Cost, Service Providers

A common abbreviation for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). See also FCC.

Commitment Adjustment

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The process by which a universal service funding commitment is reduced by USAC. See also COMAD Letter.

Commitment Adjustment (COMAD) Letter

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

Letter that USAC sends to a USF applicant whose funding commitment needs to be fully or partially adjusted (de-committed), including recovery of funds, if necessary. The letter explains the adjustment reason and amount and details whether universal service funds must be returned as a result of the adjustment. The letter also provides information on how to appeal the adjustment decision. Appeals must be received within 60 days of the date on the COMAD letter.

Competitive Bidding Process

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

The process through which E-Rate and RHC applicants request bids for telecommunications and broadband services and equipment from service provider companies. USAC program rules stipulate that applicants to either program conduct a “fair and open” competitive procurement by posting bid requests to USAC’s online portals for a minimum of 28 days.

Connected Care Pilot Program (CCPP)

Rural Health Care

A three-year pilot program established by the FCC that ended on December 31, 2025. It provided up to $100 million of universal service support to help defray eligible HCPs’ costs of providing connected care services and helped assess how USF funds could have been used to support connected care services. In selecting pilot projects from eligible HCPs, the FCC had a strong preference for pilot projects that primarily benefitted low-income Americans or veterans. CCPP provided an 85% subsidy to eligible projects for eligible services.

Consolidated Post Audit Tracking System (CPATS)

Rural Health Care, Lifeline

A central repository used by USAC’s audit teams to administer workflows across divisions.

Consortium

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A group of entities that apply together for universal service funding. In the E-Rate program, consortia can run competitive bid processes and/or apply for discounts on behalf of their members. In the RHC program, non-rural eligible HCPs may join consortia that are majority (50%+) rural but may not receive universal service support against their costs and expenses.

Consultant

E-Rate, Rural Health Care

A company or individual (non-employee of the entity) selected to perform certain activities related to the application process on behalf of the applicant or service provider for a fee. A Letter of Agency (LOA) or consultant agreement must be in place before the consultant undertakes these activities.

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