Though this only applies to a few of you who applied for erate discounts for internet access, I am sending it to all of you so you understand what is needed for internet discounts. Our tentative plan is to hold CTLS e-rate training for folks in September 2010, and start assisting with e-rate applications for the next cycle around that time. Get on the Texas State Library's erate list for timely information on erate deadlines, trainings, etc: http://lists.tsl.state.tx.us/mailman/listinfo/txerate Holly Gordon Technical Support & Network Systems Specialist Central Texas Library System, Inc. 1005 West 41st Street, Suite 100 Austin, TX 78756 512-583-0704 ext.15 www.ctls.net <http://www.ctls.net/>
________________________________ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Henry Stokes Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 11:52 AM To: Henry Stokes; [email protected] Subject: [txerate] What's next for 2010 E-rate? It's Commitment Time, E-raters! Waves of 2010 funding commitments are being announced each week by USAC. Wave 3 is coming out tomorrow, June 8th. Please contact me if you have any questions about determining your library's commitment status. IMPORTANT: If you are planning on receiving discounts on Internet Access or non-basic telecommunication services (more than just local/long distance telephone), then by July 1, you will need to have: 1) An approved Technology Plan on file with the State Library. 2) Documentation of CIPA compliance (technology protection measure, Internet Safety Plan, notice of public meeting/hearing). If this is the FIRST year you are applying for E-rate, then you DO NOT NEED the full CIPA compliance documentation in the couple of weeks. You will, however, need what's called proof of "undertaken action" before July 1. You will want the following documentation in your files: a) ... a signed certification stating: "I certify that, as of the date of the start of discounted services, pursuant to the Children's Internet Protection Act, as codified at 47 U.S.C. ยง 254(h) and (l), the recipient(s) of service represented in the Funding Request Number(s) on this Form 486 is (are) undertaking such actions, including any necessary procurement procedures, to comply with the requirements of CIPA for the next funding year, but has (have) not completed all requirements of CIPA for this funding year." b) ...some proof of "undertaken action", such as: * A published or circulated library board agenda with CIPA compliance cited as a topic * A circulated staff meeting agenda with CIPA compliance cited as a topic * A service provider quote requested and received by a recipient of service or Billed Entity which contains information on a technology protection measure * A draft Request for Proposals or other procurement procedure to solicit bids for the purchase or provision of a technology protection measure * An agenda or minutes from a meeting open to the public at which an Internet safety policy was discussed * An agenda or minutes from a public or non-public meeting of a school or library board at which procurement issues relating to the acquisition of a technology protection measure were discussed * A memo to an administrative authority of a library from a staff member outlining the CIPA issues not addressed by an Acceptable Use Policy currently in place * A memo or report to an administrative authority of a library from a staff member describing research on available technology protection measures * A memo or report to an administrative authority of a library from a staff member that discusses and analyzes Internet safety policies in effect at other libraries Just make sure those 2 documents are in your files before July 1. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Services will start July 1 for most of you. There are two ways to get funds in the E-rate program: 1) The BEAR method - the applicant pays the whole amount to the service provider each month, but submits a BEAR form to USAC (either once at the end of the E-rate year, or periodically throughout the E-rate year) with invoices so as to receive reimbursement check(s). 2) The SPI method - the service provider submits a SPI form to USAC and takes the discount off of each bill. This means the applicant only pays the non-discounted portion each month. So you can either receive the discount as a check or series of checks (BEAR), or the amount can just be taken off each monthly bill by the service provider (SPI). The library will have to let the service provider know which method they have selected. In your Form 470, you selected which option you preferred, but you may receive a letter from your service provider that is asking you to "elect" a discount method (SPI or BEAR). This will help the service provider know which discount method you want to go with (and whether they should file the SPI or wait for you to file the BEAR(s). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Next time, I will talk about the Form 486 which should be filed in July. It certifies to USAC that: "Services have started, my Tech Plan is approved (if necessary), and I am CIPA compliant/undertaking action on CIPA! (if necessary)" Stay tuned! And as always, email me for any questions. Henry __________________________________________________ Henry Stokes, Library Technology Consultant Texas E-rate Coordinator Library Development Division Texas State Library and Archives Commission Phone: 512-463-6624 Fax: 512-463-8800 Email: [email protected]
