• FCC Form 470

    The FCC Form 470 for the upcoming funding year is generally available in EPC one year before the start of the funding year.

    Services provided under tariff or on a month-to-month basis require an FCC Form 470 to be posted each year. However, if a multi-year contract results from a completed competitive bidding process, it is not necessary to post a new FCC Form 470 in subsequent funding years until the existing contract has expired and a new contract is required.

    After the FCC Form 470 is certified, USAC will issue an FCC Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter (RNL) in the entity’s EPC News feed. Applicants can edit some fields in a certified FCC Form 470. Allowable changes include:

    • editing an application name
    • changing the main contact person and/or technical contact person
    • making minor, non-substantial updates to an RFP

    Applicants must wait at least 28 days from the date the FCC Form 470 is certified before closing the competitive bidding process. Changes to the FCC Form 470 beyond the allowable changes require applicants to restart the 28 days waiting period from the date of the substantial change before selecting a service provider, signing a contract, or certifying an FCC Form 471.

    Requests for Proposals

    The entity filing an FCC Form 470 can issue a request for proposals (RFP), in addition to the FCC Form 470. In general, an RFP is a formal bidding document that describes the project and requested services or products in sufficient detail, so that potential bidders understand the scope, location, and any other requirements. However, we use “RFP” or “RFP document” generically to refer to any bidding document that describes the applicant’s project and requested services or products in more detail than in the fields provided on the FCC Form 470.

    E-rate program rules do not require applicants to issue an RFP, except for certain service types as listed below). Generally, you are not required to issue an RFP unless your state or local procurement rules or regulations require you to do so. However, if you have issued or will issue an RFP, you must upload that document as part of the your FCC Form 470 in EPC. Do not upload a document that simply contains a link to the RFP.  The actual RFP or RFP document must be uploaded with your FCC Form 470.