Form 470 Filing Tips
Funding year 2011 is from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
August 10, 2010
As a service provider FES cannot fill out your Form 470 for you. However, FES can provide you the proper filing information for our SOCS service.
USAC is revising the Form 470 and Form 471 for funding year 2011-2012. The new forms will be available when the filing window opens in January 2011. In the meantime, you may use the current Form 470 to start the process. However, the new Form 470 and Form 471 will be required as soon as the new forms become available.
Here are some tips to help you fill out the current Form 470.
Block 2: Summary Description of Needs or Services Requested:
- Item 7b
- Multi-Year Contract – Check this box if you sign a 3-year contract for SOCS and indicate on your RFP that you are seeking a multi-year contract.
- Extending an Existing Contract – Check this box if you think you may extend your contract beyond the contract expiration date and indicate on your RFP you are seeking voluntary contract extensions. The contract also must reflect this option.
- Multi-Year Contract – Check this box if you sign a 3-year contract for SOCS and indicate on your RFP that you are seeking a multi-year contract.
- Item 9 – Internet Access
- For SOCS Web Hosting, be sure to check this box. If this is not checked, USAC will deny your application.
- For SOCS Web Hosting, be sure to check this box. If this is not checked, USAC will deny your application.
- Sample Form 470 Item 7b
- When filing for a multi-year contract, an applicant will only need to file a Form 470 the first year of the contract.
USAC Requirements
Schools who are seeking E-rate Funding assistance can file their Form 470 at anytime during the calendar year. Applicants must wait a minimum of 28 days from the Form 470 filing date to file a Form 471 and to sign a contract with the chosen service provider. However, the Form 471 can only be filed during a designated time frame typically from a date in November to February.
For additional information on the E-rate filing process see:
Filing for E-rate – A Step-by-Step Guide to Filing E-rate for SOCS
What SOCS Services are Eligible for E-rate Funding?
Additional information is available on the USAC website or contact us at erate@fes.org.