Reminders for Funding Year 2003 Applicants

The Form 471 application filing window opens on November 4, 2002. The SLD is providing the important reminders below to assist you with the application process. Each topic below is linked to an HTML document that provides detailed information on that topic.

Form 470, "Description of Services Requested and Certification Form," must be filed to seek competitive bids for products and services eligible for E-rate discounts. You are strongly encouraged to use the version of the Form 470 dated April 2002 in the lower right-hand corner. However, paper Forms 470 dated September 1999 will also be accepted. If you file online, you will automatically be using the most current version of the form.

Form 471, "Services Ordered and Certification Form," must be filed to request discounts on eligible services for eligible schools, libraries, and consortia of those entities. You are strongly encouraged to use the version of the Form 471 dated October 2002 in the lower right-hand corner. However, paper Forms 471 dated October 2002 will also be accepted. If you file online, you will automatically be using the most current version of the form.

The instructions for these forms contain important information about the requirements for completing and submitting these forms. The instructions for both forms have been revised this year to provide additional clarification. Please read them carefully. Also review the Eligible Services List posted in the Reference Area of this web site for detailed information on the eligibility of products and services under E-rate.

Filing your Forms 470 and 471 online on this web site will result in a speedier process for you, which in turn facilitates a speedier response from SLD and will help you avoid errors. Forms 470 and 471 can be filed online with either PCs or Macs. You may also qualify to submit certifications for Forms 470 and 471 online. When you submit your certification(s) online, you will receive a confirmation so that you can be assured that your submission has met any filing deadlines. Check the PIN Request Area of this web site for information about obtaining a User ID and a PIN.

Here are the key benefits of filing online:

Accuracy. The automated system alerts you to mistakes so you can fix them.

Quick feedback. You will see and have your system-assigned Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date (Form 470) or Funding Request Numbers (FRNs) and worksheet numbers (Form 471) while you are filing online, allowing you to keep better track of your request.

Early acknowledgment. A Receipt Notification Letter is sent to you upon the successful completion of the online data entry of your Form 470. A Receipt Acknowledgment Letter is sent to you upon the successful completion of the online data entry and certification of your Form 471.

Earlier decisions. Experience has shown that online filers are more likely to hear from SLD in the earlier waves of funding commitments.

FORMS 470 SHOULD BE FILED AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. Forms 470 MUST be posted to the SLD web site for at least 28 days before you execute any contracts for contracted services, select your service provider for tariffed or month-to-month services, or sign and submit your Form 471.

• December 31, 2002 (For paper filers): The last POSSIBLE date for the SLD to RECEIVE your paper Form 470 in order to meet the 28-day filing requirement and allow you to submit the Form 471 by the window close. There is risk that your Form 470 won't be posted in time if it is submitted on paper as late as December 31 and the SLD is required to contact you to resolve problems. However, the SLD will make every attempt to complete data entry of Forms 470 received in Lawrence, Kansas by that date.

• January 9, 2003 (For online filers): The last POSSIBLE date for you to post your Form 470 online in order to meet the 28-day filing requirement and sign and submit the Form 471 by the window close.

THE FORM 471 APPLICATION FILING WINDOW CLOSES ON FEBRUARY 6, 2003. All Form 471 materials must be received by the SLD or postmarked no later than 11:59 PM EST on February 6, 2003. ALL Form 471 materials means:

• Form 471

• Form 471 Block 6 Certifications and

• Form 470 Block 5 Certifications, unless previously submitted online or on paper.