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Hi folks! I wanted to share some exciting news about the upcoming E-Rate FCC Form 471 application window, which opens on January 17th! I’ve shared information about the CABIO (Commercially Available Business class Internet Option) bidding exemption criteria for Category one services (monthly Internet) the past couple of application cycles. Beginning in FY24 (fiscal year 24-25) – this next funding cycle – libraries requesting $3,600 or less annually, per library, in Category 2 E-Rate equipment and services could also be exempt from competitive bidding requirements! If you qualify to take the competitive bidding exemption to either Category 1 (C1) or Category 2 (C2) services, you could: * Skip filing the FCC form 470; * Create a Contract Record, if applicable (upload your service contract into your EPC portal); * Then, file your FCC Form 471 to apply for E-Rate funding support Here is some additional helpful information from USAC’s webpage on CABIO<https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/competitive-bidding/competitive-bidding-exemptions/>; Category 1 – Low Cost, High-Speed Internet Access Commercially Available Business class Internet Option (CABIO) Category 1 (C1) equipment and services are exempt from filing the FCC Form 470 if they meet all of the following requirements: · Commercially available: This means that it is publicly available to non-residential customers (such as enterprise, small business, or other government customers) in the same form and at the same rates that it is offered to schools or libraries. Therefore, it may not be purchased through a master contract signed for just certain customers, even if the contract includes schools and libraries. · Low cost: This means that the total annual pre-discount cost for the service, including any one-time costs such as installation, does not exceed $3,600 per year per school or library. · High-speed: This means that the service must provide bandwidth speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream and 10 Mbps upstream and provide basic conduit access to the Internet at those required minimum speeds. An applicant utilizing the CABIO exemption should: · Create your contract record *( How to Create a Contract Record “CABIO”<https://www.usac.org/video/sl/create-contract-record/story.html>) · File your FCC Form 471 funding application to request E-Rate support Category 2 – Low Cost Internal Connections (Libraries only, effective Funding Year 2024 and later) · Beginning in FY2024, library applicants seeking E-Rate support for Category 2 equipment and services that total a pre-discounted amount of $3,600 or less per library in a single funding year are exempt from filing the FCC Form 470. These costs must be based on the actual cost of the equipment and services requested and cannot be averaged across a number of libraries. · An applicant utilizing this exemption should create a contract record. (How to Create a Contract Record<https://www.usac.org/video/sl/create-contract-record/story.html>) Additionally, the August News Brief<https://apps.usac.org/sl/tools/news-briefs/preview.aspx?id=1070#Tribal> (at the very bottom) details this change in bidding exemption for both Tribal and non-Tribal libraries. **Always remember to check with your local funding bodies regarding any local procurement rules/procedures for bidding. You are required to follow any local procurement practices in addition to the E-Rate program rules. ***Also, remember E-Rate’s special competitive bidding Requirements for Leased Dark Fiber & Self-Provisioned Networks. <https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/competitive-bidding/requirements-for-leased-dark-fiber-self-provisioned-networks/> Please refer to USAC’s helpful webpage for additional questions regarding the competitive bidding process<https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/competitive-bidding/>. Happy filing! Liz Liz Thigpen Schreck | Director Ocoee River Regional Library State E-Rate Coordinator for Public Libraries Office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett 718 George Street, NW, Athens, TN 37303 P. (423) 745-5194 – office; (423) 649-1583 – direct Regional Toll Free – (855) 692-8186 Fax (423) 649-1501 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> This electronic mail may be subject to the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code Ann. §10-7-503 et seq. Any reply to this email may also be subject to this act. Our Core Values: Exceptionalism – Collaboration – Integrity – Stewardship The mission of the Office of the Secretary of State is to exceed the expectations of our customers, the taxpayers, by operating at the highest levels of accuracy, cost-effectiveness, and accountability in a customer-centered environment. 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