2012 E-rate and DOA Long Distance and Local Phone Contracts

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February 2, 2012

The state Department of Administration (DOA) has contracts for long distance and local phone service that can be used for the 2012 E-rate year. As shown below, schools (and libraries) must file all the required E-rate forms, (e.g., 470, 471, 486, etc.) for these contracted services. Schools do not have to sign a contract with DOA to take advantage of the long distance or local phone services and rates. However, some of the providers listed below do require a contract with the school. (Some schools may already have a contract in-place with a provider. If the contract covers the 2012 E-rate year, then most of the information on this page is likely not relevant.) Direct any questions on the DOA contracts to Gary McFall, DOA telecommunications contract administrator (608-266-1032, gary.mcfall@wisconsin.gov). You may also contact your current account representative or one of the provider contacts linked below.

Applicants must comply with FCC regulations and conduct an open bid process and select the most cost effective provider. In reviewing any bids, cost for the eligible service has to be the primary factor. But this does not mean that cost must be weighted greater than 50%, or that it must be more than the total of any other factors. See the information on how to Construct An Evaluation on the SLD website. (Of interest, slide #31 in the fall 2011 SLD workshop materials has an example of a provider winning a bid with a higher cost than a competitor.)

Long Distance Service

Following a competitive bid process in 2011, DOA selected CenturyLink (then Qwest, contract #15-91577-101) as the new provider for long distance service. (AT&T was previous provider.) Changing providers in the middle of an E-rate year is difficult and can be disruptive. Because of this, DPI worked with DOA, AT&T and CenturyLink to allow schools/libraries to continue LD service with AT&T for the 2011 E-rate funding year (e.g., through June 30, 2012). For the upcoming 2012 E-rate year, note the following:

1. Form 470. Following the SLD's guidance on conducting an open bid process, file the 470 seeking long distance service.
2. Form 471. Wait at least the required 28 days and then following the SLD's guidance on selecting the most cost-effective provider, file the Form 471.

Additional information 

• If you are now with AT&T and want to remain so beyond June 30, 2012, contact Rob Roy, Education Advocate, 608-772-1518,   robert.roy@att.com .  This is a decision between you and AT&T.
• If you want to get long distance service from CenturyLink you must be proactive and contact Mike Sasada, Premier Account Manager, 262-641-4131, Mike.sasada@centurylink.com. See also the letter from CenturyLink which provides more information on their long distance service.
• Note: Any decision on your long distance provider, including if you want to stay with AT&T or go with CenturyLink, must follow the SLD's bidding and selection guidelines cited above.

If you select CenturyLink as your provider, specific information for completing the Form 471 Block 5 is provided below.  Some information is pre-populated when filing online.

Form 471 Block 5	Tips on entering information in Block 5
Add New Funding Request - Search for Service Provider	Be certain Telecommunications Service is selected. Then enter SPIN 143001157 and SEARCH. Accept CenturyLink.
10 Duplicate Funding Request	Enter 2011 Funding Request Number only if your 2011 request for long distance service is still pending. Otherwise, leave blank.
11 Category of Service	Be certain Telecommunications Service is selected.
12  Form 470 Application Number (15 digits)	Enter your 470 application  number.
13  SPIN - Service Provider Identification Number (9 digits)	Accept 143001157 SPIN (pre-populated).
14 Service Provider Name	Accept provider's name: CenturyLink Qwest Communications Company, LLC (pre-populated).
15a Check box for non-contracted service	Leave unchecked.
15b Contract Number	Enter 15-91577-101.
15c Check box for master contract	Check box.
15d  Check box for continuation of FRN	Leave unchecked.
16a  Billing Account Number (e.g., billed telephone number)	Enter appropriate information.
16b  Check box for multiple billing numbers	If appropriate, check this box.
17  Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date (mm/dd/yyyy, based on Form 470 filing)	Pre-populated based on the 470# entered in #12 above. Date will be 28 days after posting the 470. Do not file the 471 before this date.
18  Contract Award Date (mm/dd/yyyy)	Enter date you selected CenturyLink. This date must be on or after the Allowable Vendor Selection/Contract Date.
19  Service Start Date (mm/dd/yyyy)	Enter date, usually:  07/01/2012.
20a  Service End Date (mm/dd/yyyy)	Leave blank.
20b  Contract Expiration Date (mm/dd/yyyy)	Enter: 09/22/2016.
21  Description of This Service	See Item 21 information below. See also the DOA long distance contract website which has links to services, costs, etc., for use in your item 21 information.

 

 Local Phone Service, Including Centrex

As listed below, DOA has contracts with four providers for local/Centrex phone service. (This link includes provider contacts too.) The providers only cover certain areas of the state. See the map of local phone converage provided by the state's Public Service Commission to review coverage or the DOA list of coverage by community.

Provider, with links to DOA contract website	SPIN #	Contract end date
AT&T. Contract # and website:  #15-91579-601	143001192	June 30, 2016
CenturyLink. Contract # and website:  #15-91579-602	143001157	December 31, 2016
Frontier North (formerly Verizon). Contract # and website:  #15-91579-901	143004791	June 14, 2014
Wood County Telephone (d/b/a Solarus). Contract # and website:  #15-91579-701	143001855	November 30, 2012

For the 2012 E-rate year, note the following:

1. Form 470. Following the SLD's guidance on conducting an open bid process, file the 470 seeking local phone service.
2. Form 471. Wait at least the required 28 days and then following the SLD's guidance on selecting the most cost-effective provider, file the Form 471.

Use the example from the Form 471 Block 5 table above as a template on how to complete Block 5 for local phone service.

The Solarus/Wood County Telephone contract expires on November 30, 2012. Solarus has indicated to DPI that it has contracts already in-place with schools covering the upcoming E-rate year (e.g., to at least June 30, 2013). If you have any questions on this, contact your account representative or Wendy Hack, Solarus Business Sales Manager.

 Item 21 Attachments

In previous years applicants had several months after the 471 application deadline to file the Item 21.  However per a recent FCC rule, Item 21 information now has to be filed by the 471 deadline (March 20, 2012). See the SLD Item 21 Website for more information on Item 21s, including how to file online. For the DOA contracts, you do not need to include a copy of the contract but do list the contract website. See also these specific examples of Items 21s for phone service.

• Example of using a previous bill for the Item 21
• Example of preparing a spreadsheet for the Item 21

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Let me know if you have any questions.

Bob Bocher, Technology Consultant
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
Public Library Development
125 S. Webster St., Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841
(608-266-2127, fax 608-266-2529)
robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov

   DPI E-rate Website

For questions about this information, contact Robert F. Bocher (608) 266-2127

Last updated on 2/3/2012 8:50:22 AM