E-Rate Primer

New Hope Technology Foundation

Who is Eligible?

Public K-12 School Districts

Charter Schools

Private Schools

Public Libraries

Head Start, Pre-K, Juvenile Justice, Adult

Education, & Special Education as determined

by individual state law

What Does E-Rate Cover?

Category One Services (Broadband outside the building)

• 20%-90% rebates based on Free and Reduced eligibility

• Eligible to apply every year

Category Two Services (Broadband inside the building)

• 20%-85% rebates based on Free and Reduced eligibility

• Eligible for approximately $157 per student (pre-discount)

every 5 years

Category One Services

Internet Access

Wide Area Network Service

Firewall as a bundled service

Special construction of Fiber

Mobile Data Network (only when more cost

effective than Wi-Fi)

Category Two Services

Internal Connections

Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections

Managed Internal Broadband

Internal Connections

Switches

Wireless Access Points

Routers and Controllers

Cabling/Wiring

Firewall

Caching Servers

Racks

UPS to support above

Software to support above

Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections

Must be on a “pay as you go” basis

Repair and upkeep of eligible hardware

Configuration Changes

Basic Technical Support

Software Upgrades and patches

Wire and cable maintenance

Managed Internal Broadband Services

Services provided by a third party for the operation,

management, and monitoring of eligible internal

connections

Network equipment may be owned by entity or leased

from third party

Includes installation, activation and initial configuration as

well as on-site training in use of eligible equipment

Why Use a Consultant ?

• Reduce the management burden of cumbersome

application process

• Ensure compliance with constantly changing rules and

regulations

• Support in the event of an audit and/or appeal

• Ensure that all eligible products are included in application

• Ensure district is receiving the maximum discount rate

• Related services such as consortia purchasing

New Hope Reduces Application

Burden

• Files all forms including 470, 471, 486, 500, BEAR,

& other as necessary

• Answers all PIA questions

• Manages audits and reviews

• Files RALs and appeals

• Designates reimbursement methods with vendors

• Creates RFPs

New Hope Ensures Legal Compliance

• All consultants attend yearly USAC training

• Employ firm of Patton and Boggs to lobby on behalf

of clients and assist with appeals

• Consultants regularly participate in conference calls

and webinars with USAC, vendors, and state officials

• New Hope participates in many professional

organizations to gain a better understanding of the

issues facing applicants and how they may fit into

E-Rate

New Hope Manages Audits

• New Hope will be present for any on-site audit

• As part of engagement will manage audits of all past

applications

• Guaranteed support during the lifetime of any

application filed

• Represents applicants with USAC, FCC, and outside

auditors

• Write and file appeals with both USAC and FCC

New Hope Ensures all Eligible Services

are Included

• Regularly meet with technology staff to discuss needs

• Attend trainings and conference calls to be up to date on

eligible services list

• Review all contracts to make sure they are E-Rate

compliant

• Assist applicant with writing RFPs to ensure E-Rate

compliance

• Work with vendors and consortia to understand new

technologies and how they apply to E-Rate

New Hope Maximizes Discount Rate

• Review Free and Reduced Eligibility Numbers with

Child Nutrition staff

• Experts in alternative methods of discount calculation

including;

o Survey- no other consulting firm has successfully conducted

more surveys

o Sibling Matching

o CEP

o Financial Aid Forms

o Combining methods

New Hope’s Purchasing Expertise

Work closely with USETPA (www.usetpa.org) to

ensure lowest possible prices

USETPA Form 470 available to all clients to

potentially streamline bidding

Experienced USETPA staff available to assist with

writing RFPs, reviewing technology needs, explaining

new technologies and generating competitive pricing

across many vendors and manufacturers

Work with state and other regional consortia as

dictated by applicant need

New Hope Overview

• National full service consultancy established in 2004

with clients in 21 separate states

• All inclusive fee which is fully contingent upon

successful funding

• Represents public school districts, charter schools,

private schools, Head Start, libraries, special

education cooperatives, and consortia

• Consultants backgrounds include technology,

education, and finance

• Offices in Chapel Hill, NC and Northbrook, IL.

New Hope Contacts

New Hope Technology Foundation New Hope Technology Foundation

1829 E Franklin St, Ste 800E 5 Revere Drive, Ste 200

Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Northbrook, Il 60062

(919)968-4332 (847)509-5980

www.newhopetech.net info@newhopetech.net