On June 19, 2017, USAC released FY2018 Form 470 allowing schools and libraries to start their FY18 E-rate procurement process. The FY18 Form 470 is currently available in SLD’s E-rate Productivity Center (EPC). In an analysis published by Funds For Learning, the number of Form 470s and E-rate participants were down in FY2017 compared to FY2016.
Applicants are advised to start their competitive bidding process early to give time to appropriately review bids, select a winning vendor, negotiate contracts, possibly get school board approval, if needed, and time to create, submit and certify the Form 471 before the Form 471 deadline occurs.
The release of the FY2018 Form 470 is the earliest it has been released since the Modernization Order. Prior releases for FY2015, FY2016, and FY2017 were November 20, 2014, July 9, 2015, and July 1, 2016 respectively.
