WCB Sets ECF Service Delivery Date, Modifies Certification Language

On July 22, 2021, the Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB) released a Public Notice setting the service delivery deadline and modifying certain language in one of the certifications for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) program application.

The ECF Program Report and Order (ECF Report and Order) provides that invoices must be submitted within 60 days of the latter of the funding commitment decision letter (FCDL); a revised FCDL approving a post-commitment change or a successful appeal of previously denied or reduced funding; or the service delivery date. The ECF Report and Order, however, did not specify the service delivery date for non-recurring services or equipment. WCB set June 30, 2022 as the service delivery date for equipment and other non-recurring services if an applicant has not yet order or received the equipment at the time the funding request is submitted. Applicants should use this date as the “service end date” on their applications in those situations. This date can also serve as the service delivery date for invoicing purposes; 60 days after the June 30, 2022, service delivery date is August 29, 2022. If you have already received the services and enter a different “service end date” on your application, you should submit invoices within 60 days of the receipt of your FCDL.

WCB also modified the certification language for section 54.1710(a)(1)(x) to clarify that the applicant “has ordered or will order, the equipment and services for which funding is sought.” (new language in italics). This change clarifies that schools and libraries may request funding for eligible equipment and services that have not yet been ordered or delivered at the time the application is filed for the upcoming school year (July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022).

The FCC on May 11 issued rules implementing Section 7402 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the Act) that created a $7.171 billion “Emergency Connectivity Fund” (ECF) for eligible schools and libraries to purchase eligible equipment and advanced telecommunications and information services for use by students, school staff, and library patrons at locations other than a school or library. For more information, see this link: https://www.fcc.gov/emergency-connectivity-fund. The Commission and the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) opened a 45-day Emergency Connectivity Fund application filing window on June 29, 2021, and will close the application filing window on August 13, 2021.