The FCC has released a final Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration that approves the implementation of a competitive bidding portal.

The Order also implements simplifications to the E-Rate Program including (but not limited to):

• providing guidance for transition of services
• clarifying that cost-allocation is not required for ANY category 1 service (including transmission only)  if at least 90% of an applicant’s requested recurring C1 service will be used for an eligible purpose during the funding year
• providing limited exceptions for mid year bandwidth increases
• clarifying absent a deadline in the narrative, applicants should consider all bids received before the evaluation process, which may occur sometime after the minimum 28-day waiting period
• eliminating the FCC Form 486 beginning in Funding year 2028
• moving CIPA certifications to the FCC Form 471
• specifying that consortia will need to collect the annual FCC Form 479 prior to certifying CIPA compliance on the FCC Form 471
• modifying invoice filing deadline to one based on the date of the FCDL
• amending program rules to permit a single 120-day extension of the original invoice filing deadline if the request is made within 15 days of the original invoice filing deadline
• adopting a rule providing for a one-time, 60-day grace period to resubmit corrected versions of requests for reimbursement that were timely filed before the invoice filing deadline but rejected by USAC
• updating E-Rate definitions and rules

Download Report and Order