Eligibility

Institutions who qualify for E-rate funding include: elementary and secondary public schools, non-profit elementary and secondary parochial and private schools (with endowments under $50 million), public libraries, and many private, non-profit libraries accessible to the public.
Products and services that are eligible for government subsidizing are grouped into three categories that include: “Telecommunications”, “Internet Access”, and “Internal Connections”. Both the Telecommunications and Internet Access categories are considered Priority One services; funding is determined on how many students are enrolled in that particular school’s reduced lunch program, and can range anywhere from 20%-90%.
Because Spiral Systems offers "E-mail" and "Web Hosting" services, it qualifies for discounts under the Priority One "Internet Access" category meaning that Spiral Systems can, and often will be, at least partially federally subsidized. Spiral Systems also includes modules that are not considered eligible under the E-rate program, but this has no bearing on the subsidy process.
For complete details and requirements for requesting E-Rate funding, please make sure to visit the SLD web site at www.sl.universalservice.org. and www.usac.org. Spiral Systems is not an E-rate expert or consultant, and strongly recommends that you do independent research to learn about the E-rate program.

Application Process
In order to qualify for E-rate funding, schools/libraries must file three separate forms on an annual basis in the following sequence: For your convenience you may file using the online form at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp

Step 1: File Form 470

A. Access Form 470 http://www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/required-forms.aspx

B. Block 2 of Form 470 asks you to describe the services you are interested in, and if a proposal of services has already been submitted to you or your school.


1) Check Box 7b if the services you seek will require a new contract. It is generally advised that you click both boxes in Block 2, Item 7b, indicating that you will consider multi-year contracts or contracts that contain a voluntary extension option. By clicking these boxes, you will have the option of utilizing one of these types of contracts if you should decide to do so.

2) In block 2, Item 9, Check 9b, unless you have an RFP available.

3) Under Item 9, part 1, Service or Function Fill in "Email Service" & “Web Hosting Service”. Under Quantity and/or Capacity enter the number of users you anticipate receiving E-mail addresses and E-mail access. This number is not necessarily limited to your students; it may also include your faculty and administrative staff.




Reminder: The SLD recommends that you file separate 470s for your Priority One items and your Priority Two items. This usually ensures a speedier approval as Priority One requests (as the name might suggest) are given a higher priority. Combining all of your items onto a single 470 application will result in a slower approval.

C. After filing Form 470, you must wait 28 days before proceeding to Step 2. This 28-day waiting period allows vendors to bid on the services you have requested. During this period you will need to obtain a price quote from Spiral Systems and you will be obligated to consider any and all proposals that you may receive from vendors.


Step 2: File Form 471

After 28 days have gone by since submitting your Form 470, you may then sign a contract with the vendor you have chosen.

NOTE: Your contract may contain a contingency or “out” clause that nullifies the agreement should your E-rate funding not come through. Once a contract has been signed, you can file a Form 471; if you were to select Spiral Software Systems for "E-mail" and/or "Web Hosting" service, for example, your Form 471 Block 5 would look similar to the one below:

A. Access Form 471 http://www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/required-forms.aspx

B. Obtain pricing information by contacting a Spiral Software Systems’ representative.

C. Have Your User ID and PIN available: Remember that the person authorized to sign Form 471 must have successfully completed the PIN Request Process and received a User ID and PIN before they can electronically certify Form 471.

D. Fill out the online application for Form 471: Below is some information that will help you navigate through Block 5.

1) Item 11 – Under Priority One Check the box labeled Internet Access. 2) Item 12 - Enter your Form 470 application number. This number is provided to you when you originally applied 3) Item 13 - Enter: 143-030-309 (Spiral’s Spin Number) 4) Item 14 - Enter: Spiral Software Systems Inc. 5) Item 15b - Enter the contract number you received from Spiral. 6) Item 16 - Enter your school's billing telephone number. 7) Item 17 – Enter the date on which you filed your 470 8) Item 18 – Enter the date on which you selected your service provider 9) Item 19A – Enter the date on which you request services to begin. In most cases this will be the coming July 1. 10) Item 19b - Service End Date: Enter the date on which services cease. In most cases this will be June 30, of the following year. Item 20 - Contract Expiration Date: Again, in most cases this will be June 30, of the following year 11) Item 21 - Description of Service: Spiral Systems provides E-mail service and Web hosting. To provide an accurate description of the services and a breakdown of the costs, we strongly encourage you to contact a Spiral representative who will be able to walk you through this process. 12) Item 22 – List the number of people who you expect to receive this service. 13) Item 23 - Enter the cost in Non-Recurring Charges into column F. To ensure you have an accurate calculation of the cost, please confer with a Spiral representative.

Program Integrity Assurance

Once your application is submitted you will receive a questionnaire from the Program Integrity Assurance. These reviewers ask a series of questions in order to ascertain the level of need at your particular school. It is critical that you respond to any and all requests from the PIA team in a timely manner as failing to do so may jeopardize your application. Extensions are available should you need more time to answer any of their questions.

Funding Commitment Decision Letter

Once the PIA team has completed their work you will receive a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) specifying what funding you will receive and which programs those funds must be allocated for. Once your funding request has been approved, you may immediately begin to implement services.

Step 3: File Form 486

Once you receive an FCDL approval and service has begun, you must then file a Form 486 which informs the SLD that you are ready to begin receiving funds. If Spiral Software Systems was named on your Form 486, Block 3 would look similar to the one below:




The numbers will obviously be dependent on each individual form and are not exactly the same as you see above. All the numbers and information you need to correctly fill out this form are available to you on your FCDL form.

1) In Column D, Enter Spiral Software System Inc.
2) In Column E, Enter Spiral’s Spin (143030309)
3) In Column F, Enter the date on w on which your services will begin – typically July 1.

GETTING HELP WITH E-RATE

From the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD):

The SLD's Client Service Bureau is available to answer questions about the E-rate program as well as the application process. Their toll-free number is 1-888-203-8100 and their toll free fax question line is 1-888-276-8736. You may also obtain documents using the SLD's toll-free fax on demand service at 1-800-959-0733. For all the up-to-date information on the E-rate and to file applications online, visit the SLD's website at:
www.sl.universalservice.org.

Once again, Spiral Software Systems is not a consultant for E-rate and strongly urges all interested members to learn about E-rate from the various websites we have provided. You may of course call Spiral Systems’ technical support service and one of our friendly staff members will help you in the application process and provide you with as much information regarding the program as possible.