5-G
MOTION: September 22, 2020 Regular Meeting SECOND: Res. No. 20-
RE: ACCEPT, BUDGET, AND APPROPRIATE TO THE PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIBRARIES $24,284.16 AWARDED FROM THE SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES PROGRAM OF THE UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND (E-RATE) FOR INTERNET ACCESS IN THE PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIBRARIES
ACTION:
WHEREAS, the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (E- Rate) provides funds to assist schools and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunications, Wi-Fi, and internet access; and
WHEREAS, the Prince William Public Libraries have sought funding assistance through the E-Rate program to provide internet access; and
WHEREAS, E-Rate has provided a funding commitment of $24,284.16 to the Prince William Public Libraries; and
WHEREAS, the Finance Department has verified the award of said funds and the need described herein to budget and appropriate funding;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby accepts, budgets, and appropriates $24,284.16 in revenue from the E-Rate program to the Prince William Public Libraries for internet access;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Prince William Board of County Supervisors hereby authorizes all unexpended balances specific to this award to carry forward to the next fiscal year.
Votes: Ayes: Nays: Absent from Vote: Absent from Meeting:
For Information: Library Director
ATTEST: Clerk to the Board The Board of County Supervisors Ann B. Wheeler, Chair Victor S. Angry, Vice Chair Office of the County Executive Andrea O. Bailey Christopher E. Martino Kenny Boddye Pete Candland STAFF REPORT Margaret Angela Franklin Jeanine M. Lawson Yesli Vega
Board Meeting Date: September 22, 2020 Agenda Title: Accept, Budget, and Appropriate to the Prince William Public Libraries $24,284.16 Awarded from the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) for Internet Access in the Prince William Public Libraries. Requested Action: Approve the resolution and accept, budget, and appropriate funds. Department / Agency Lead: Library Services Staff Lead: Deborah Wright, Director
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Last year, Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL) received E-Rate funding to help modernize the Wi-Fi and network infrastructure within each library with the goal to increase access to high quality broadband in the libraries and expand Wi-Fi access to library patrons. Previously, Wi-Fi access in the PWPL was extremely limited and had been a noticeable concern for library patrons. The PWPL has received notification that it has been awarded $24,284.16 in E-Rate Funding for continued Wi-Fi access.
It is the recommendation of staff that the Board of County Supervisors (BOCS) accept, budget, and appropriate $24,284.16 awarded from the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (E- Rate) for Internet access in the PWPL.
1 County Complex Court, Prince William, Virginia 22192 • 703-792-6000 | www.pwcgov.org
ABA $24,284 from Schools and Libraries Program September 22, 2020 Page 2
BACKGROUND
Established in 1996, the Schools and Libraries (E-Rate) Program provides funding towards eligible services for schools and libraries. Eligible services include data transmission and/or internet access, eligible broadband internet connections, and basic maintenance of eligible broadband internal connections. E-Rate is funded by consumers and business telecommunication bills through the Federal Universal Service Fee.
The E-rate program is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Specifically, USAC is responsible for processing the applications for support, confirming eligibility, and reimbursing service providers and eligible schools and libraries for the discounted services. USAC also ensures that the applicants and service providers comply with the E-Rate rules and procedures established by the FCC.
Last year, PWPL received E-Rate funding to help modernize the Wi-Fi and network infrastructure within each library with the goal to increase access to high quality broadband in the libraries and expand Wi-Fi access to library patrons. Previously, Wi-Fi access in the PWPL was extremely limited and had been a noticeable concern for library patrons. The PWPL has received notification that it has been awarded $24,284.16 in E-Rate Funding for continued Wi-Fi access.
The E-Rate award process for this funding was initiated prior to the dissolution of the Prince William Public Library System and the creation of the Prince William Public Libraries as a County department. The E-Rate Central Program Administrator has been notified of this change. There is no anticipated change to E-Rate funding as a result of this change.
E-Rate funding enables the enhancement of public access computing (PAC) to patrons of the PWPL, allowing the community as a whole to utilize these infrastructure upgrades.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
It is the recommendation of staff that the BOCS accept, budget, and appropriate to the Prince William Public Libraries (PWPL) $24,284.16 awarded from the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) for Internet Access in the PWPL.
Service Level / Policy Impact The acceptance of E-Rate funding will provide funding for Wi-Fi and Broadband access throughout the Prince William Public Libraries providing a better patron experience.
Fiscal Impact Accepting E-Rate funding will enable PWPL to provide affordable telecommunications, Wi-Fi, and internet access to the public. The County will provide a 40% match for purchases eligible for E-Rate funding. This match will be funded through the PWPL general fund budget.
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Legal Impact The BOCS has the legal authority to accept, budget, and appropriate the E-Rate funding to the PWPL. Section 15.2-520, VA Code Ann., authorizes funds appropriated for outstanding grants to be carried over for one year without being re-appropriated.
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
Peggy Czapko | (703) 792-6198 [email protected]
ATTACHMENT
• Award Notification
May 9, 2020
Funding Commitment Decision Letter Funding Year 2020
Contact Information: FCC Form 471: 201000678 Melinda Van Patten PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIB SYS BEN: 126430 13083 CHINN PARK DR Wave: 1 WOODBRIDGE, VA 22192 Application Nickname: Prince William Lib 2020-C1 [email protected]
Totals
Total Committed $24,284.16
What is in this letter? Thank you for submitting your application for Funding Year 2020 Schools and Libraries Program (E-rate) funding. Attached to this letter, you will find the funding statuses for the FCC Form(s) 471, Services Ordered and Certification Form, that you submitted and referenced above.
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) is sending this information to both the associated applicant(s) and the service provider(s) so that you can work together to complete the funding process. Next Steps 1. Work with your service provider(s) to determine if your bills will be discounted or if you will request reimbursement from USAC after paying the full cost for the services you receive.
2. Review the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements and file the FCC Form 486 (Service Confirmation and CIPA Certification Form). The deadline to submit this form is 120 days from the date of this letter or from the service start date (whichever is later).
3. Invoice USAC BEN Name: PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIB SYS FCC Form 471: 201000678 BEN: 126430 Wave: 1
• If you (the applicant) are invoicing USAC: You must pay your service provider(s) the full cost for the services you receive and file the FCC Form 472, the Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form, to invoice USAC for reimbursement of the discounted amount.
• If your service provider(s) is invoicing USAC: The service provider(s) must provide services, bill the applicant for the non-discounted share, and file the FCC Form 474, the Service Provider Invoice (SPI) form, to invoice USAC for reimbursement for the discounted portion of costs. Every funding year, service providers must file an FCC Form 473, the Service Provider Annual Certification Form, to be able to submit invoices and to receive disbursements.
• To receive an invoice deadline extension, the applicant or service provider must request an extension on or before the last date to invoice. If you anticipate, for any reason, that invoices cannot be filed on time, USAC will grant a one-time, 120-day invoice deadline extension if timely requested.
How to Appeal or Request a Waiver of a Decision You can appeal or request a waiver of a decision in this letter within 60 calendar days of the date of this letter. Failure to meet this deadline will result in an automatic dismissal of your appeal or waiver request.
Note: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will not accept appeals of USAC decisions that have not first been appealed to USAC. However, if you are seeking a waiver of E-rate program rules, you must submit your request to the FCC and not to USAC. USAC is not able to waive the E-rate program rules.
• To submit your appeal to USAC, visit the Appeals section in the E-rate Productivity Center (EPC) and provide the required information. USAC will reply to your appeal submissions to confirm receipt. Visit USAC’s website for additional information on submitting an appeal to USAC, including step-by- step instructions.
• To request a waiver of the FCC’s rules, please submit it to the FCC in proceeding number CC Docket No. 02-6 using the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS). Include your contact information, a statement that your filing is a waiver request, identifying information, the FCC rule(s) for which you are seeking a waiver, a full description of the relevant facts that you believe support your waiver request and any related relief, and any supporting documentation.
For appeals to USAC or to the FCC, be sure to keep a copy of your entire appeal, including any correspondence and documentation, and provide a copy to the affected service provider(s).
May 9, 2020 2 BEN Name: PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIB SYS FCC Form 471: 201000678 BEN: 126430 Wave: 1
Obligation to Pay Non-Discount Portion Applicants are required to pay the non-discount portion of the cost of the eligible products and/or services to their service providers. Service providers are required to bill applicants for the non-discount portion of costs for the eligible products and/or services. The FCC stated that requiring applicants to pay the non-discounted share of costs ensures efficiency and accountability in the program. If using the BEAR invoicing method, the applicant must pay the service provider in full (the non-discount plus discount portion) before seeking reimbursement from USAC. If using the SPI invoicing method, the service provider must first bill the applicant before invoicing USAC.
Notice on Rules and Funds Availability The applicants’ receipt of funding commitments is contingent on their compliance with all statutory, regulatory, and procedural requirements of the Schools and Libraries Program and the FCC’s rules. Applicants who have received funding commitments continue to be subject to audits and other reviews that USAC and/or the FCC may undertake to assure that committed funds are being used in accordance with such requirements. USAC may be required to reduce or cancel funding commitments that were not issued in accordance with such requirements, whether due to action or inaction of USAC, the applicant, or the service provider. USAC, and other appropriate authorities (including but not limited to the FCC), may pursue enforcement actions and other means of recourse to collect improperly disbursed funds.
May 9, 2020 3 BEN Name: PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIB SYS FCC Form 471: 201000678 BEN: 126430 Wave: 1
Funding Commitment Decision Overview Funding Year 2020
Application Comments for FCC Form 471: #201000678 The applicant did not submit any RAL corrections.
Funding Commitment Decision Overview
Funding Request Service Provider Name Amount Amount Status Number (FRN) Requested Committed
2099035936 Zayo Group, LLC $24,284.16 $24,284.16 Funded
May 9, 2020 4 BEN Name: PRINCE WILLIAM PUBLIC LIB SYS FCC Form 471: 201000678 BEN: 126430 Wave: 1
FRN Service Type Status 2099035936 Data Transmission and/or Internet Funded Access
Dollars Committed
Monthly Cost One-time Cost
Months of Service 12
Total Eligible Recurring Charges $40,473.60 Total Eligible One Time Charges $0.00
Total Pre-discount Charges $40,473.60
Discount Rate 60.00%
Committed Amount $24,284.16
Dates Service Provider and Contract Information
Service Start Date 7/1/2020 Service Provider Zayo Group, LLC
Contract Expiration Date 6/30/2021 SPIN (498ID) 143023855
Contract Award Date 3/11/2020 Contract Number
Service Delivery Deadline 6/30/2021 Account Number
Expiration Date (All Extensions) Establishing FCC Form 470 200013092
Consultant Information
Consultant Name
Consultant's Employer E-Rate Central
CRN 16060891
Funding Commitment Decision Comments
MR1: Approved as submitted.
May 9, 2020 5