The FCC granted two more favorable appeal decisions this week. While the FCC has continued to release applicant friendly decisions it is still important for all stakeholders to know their roles and responsibilities and not take for granted that their applications will ultimately receive funding. The appeals process can take years before a resolution is made.
The FCC granted two more favorable appeal decisions this week. While the FCC has continued to release applicant friendly decisions it is still important for all stakeholders to know their roles and responsibilities and not take for granted that their applications will ultimately receive funding. The appeals process can take years before a resolution is made.
Long Beach Unified School District FCC Appeal Decision
The Long Beach USD was denied FY 2003 E-rate funding because the SLD found that they violated FCC procurement and competitive bidding violations by not considering price as the primary factor when making their vendor evaluation. The FCC determined that USAC erred in its finding because it wasn’t until the Ysleta Order that applicants were supposed to give cost the greatest weight. Often times it make take over a year for the SLD to make a determination whether or not they will fund an application and the SLD is supposed to make a determination based on the rules and regulations in place at the time when the application was submitted.
Further guidance on the competitive bidding process can be found on the SLD website.
Hickory Public Schools FCC Appeal Decision
This case involved Hickory Public Schools FY 2004 internal connections applications. Hickory nor their service providers received funding commitment decision letters from USAC that they were funded. Once Hickory realized they received commitments months earlier by searching the SLD website they filed service delivery extensions which the SLD denied arguing that Hickory should have received the funding letters and were sent to the correct address. The FCC determined that Hickory’s appeal should be granted and they should be given more time to complete installation of their internal connections projects.
One of the features of E-rate Manager for Applicants is that schools will get automatically notified when the SLD sends out their FCDL’s regarding their applications. E-rate Manager for Service Providers makes it easy for vendors to determine when their customers receive commitments as well. There are many other features in E-rate Manager that assists all E-rate beneficiaries manage and track their E-rate funding and utilize the dollars effectively.
View the Long Beach Unified SD FCC Appeal Decision
View the Hickory PS FCC Appeal Decision
