Specifications include, but are not limited to: a. Service Providers are required to be in full compliance with all current rules and requirements and future rules and requirements issued by the FCC and USAC throughout the agreement period of any Agreement entered into as a result of this RFP/RFB/RFQ. b. Service Providers are responsible for providing a valid Service Provider Identification Number (“SPIN”). More information about obtaining a SPIN may be found at this website: https://www.usac.org/e-rate/service-providers/step-1-obtain-a-spin/ c. Service Providers are responsible for providing a valid Federal Communications Commission Registration Number (“FRN”) at the time the Proposal is submitted. More information about obtaining an FRN may be found at this website: https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do d. Service Providers are responsible for providing evidence of FCC Green Light Status at the time the proposal is submitted. Any potential Service Provider found to be in Red Light Status must explain the steps it is undertaking to be removed from Red Light Status and the expected timeframe for resolution. A Service Provider's sustained Red-Light Status may be grounds for termination of the Agreement as it could prohibit the Service Provider from providing E-rate discounts in a timely manner which would cause harm to the Applicant. More information about FCC Red and Green Light Status may be found at this website: http://www.fcc.gov/debt_collection/welcome.html e. Products and services must be delivered before billing and E-rate discounting can commence. At no time may the Service Provider invoice before July 1, 2024. f. Prices must be held firm for the duration of the associated E-rate Funding Year(s) or until all work associated with the project is complete (including any Agreement and USAC-approved extensions). g. Goods and services provided shall be clearly designated as “E-rate Eligible.” Non-eligible goods and services shall be clearly called out as 100% non-eligible or shall be “cost allocated” to show the percentage of eligible costs per USAC guidelines. h. For Category 2 equipment or services, within one (1) week of notification of award, the awarded Service Provider must provide the Applicant a bill of materials using a completed and most current and appropriate version of USAC “Bulk Upload Template” (formerly known as the Item 21 attachment) located at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/applying-for-discounts/fcc-form-471-filing/. Subsequent schedules of values and invoices must match the Bulk Upload Template and approved Funding Request Line Items or subsequent approved service substitutions. If the service provider’s proposal consisted of pricing per eligible location, a summary sheet, and summary Bulk Upload Template must be provided to describe the cumulative amount for all sites. i. In the event of questions during an E-rate pre-commitment review, post-commitment review, and/or audit inquiry, the awarded Service Provider is expected to reply within 3 days to questions associated with its proposal. j. The awarded Service Provider is required to send copies of all forms and invoices to the Applicant prior to invoicing USAC for pre-approval. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the Applicant placing the vendor on an “Invoice Check” with the USAC: https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/invoicing/invoice-check/. k. Service providers must comply with the FCC rules for the Lowest Corresponding Price ("LCP"). Further details on LCP may be obtained at USAC's website: https://www.usac.org/e-rate/service-providers/step-2-responding-to-bids/lowest-corresponding-price/. l. Service providers must not propose any equipment or services produced or provided by companies, their parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries, found to pose a national security threat to the integrity of communications networks or the communications supply chain as required by FCC rules. See https://www.usac.org/about/reports-orders/supply-chain/ . Any proposed solution including Covered Equipment or Services as defined by the FCC will be disqualified. If, after the award of the project it is found Covered Equipment or Services are included, the award and/or Agreement will be considered to be null and void. See https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain for further information on FCC requirements. m. SPAM and/or robotic responses will not be considered valid Proposals and will be disqualified from consideration. n. Any Service Provider proposals identifying contingency fees such as allocations for change orders, tariffs, or other speculative fees not specifically called out for in the scope and/or terms of the RFP/RFB/RFQ will automatically be included in the Proposal price and subject to evaluation unless otherwise specified in the RFP/RFB/RFQ. Contingency fees not pre-approved by the Applicant will not be allowed.
