About the Broadband Reimbursement Program
This program is available to K-12 administrators responsible for the school’s broadband. The program provides guidance on funding for K-12 Internet services and fiber for K-12 schools. The program provides technical, E-rate, security, contracting, and procurement guidance for direct Internet access (DIA) and wide area networks (WAN) (Idaho 33-5604).
LEAs that receive E-rate funding for monthly services and one-time costs may also receive state reimbursements for the remaining portion not funded by E-rate. Reimbursements are approved by the Educational Opportunity Resource Committee (see below for reimbursement guidelines; Idaho 33-5604).
Broadband Infrastructure Improvement Grant
Idaho invests in dedicated fiber infrastructure for its schools and libraries through “B.I.I.G.,” the Broadband Infrastructure Investment Grant (Idaho 33-910). The grant unlocks additional E-rate dollars to fund special construction projects that create direct fiber connections to schools and libraries. The remaining portion may also receive state reimbursements. Learn more about the B.I.I.G. application.
For assistance with E-rate, Internet funding, or more, contact either program coordinator:
E-rate Program Coordinator
Daniel Vogt
(208) 332-6993
Broadband Program Coordinator
Jonathan Steele
(208) 332-6892
Schedule a call with the program coordinators.
ORThe Idaho Schools Newsletter provides important announcements about E-rate and the Idaho Broadband Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my LEA receive Internet reimbursements throughout the year?
Internet reimbursements come from two sources: 1) E-rate (administered by USAC and the FCC), and 2) the State of Idaho that totals 100% coverage for monthly recurring DIA or WAN services and non-recurring costs, and special construction costs funded by E-rate.
How Do I Receive E-rate Reimbursements?
LEAs must either request reimbursement from USAC (BEAR Form 472) or instead to agree with their service provider to discount the billed service and bill E-rate for the funds directly (SPI Form 474). All forms are completed at usac.org.
How Do I Receive State of Idaho Reimbursements for Internet?
LEAs must first apply in good-faith for E-rate funding by certifying an E-rate Form 471, and within the program’s allowable reimbursement metrics (see below).
State reimbursements are calculated per Funding Request Number (FRN) and are subject to maximum reimbursement guidelines set by EORC (see next section, “State Reimbursement Guidelines”. LEAs must provide relevant contract documentation and invoices for eligible services. LEAs must also assist the program collect LEA bandwidth usage data (only speed measurements).
Submit your LEA’s most recent Internet service invoice to broadband@sde.idaho.gov, or request a link for document uploads.
State Reimbursement Guidelines
Idaho LEAs can automatically qualify for state reimbursement if their connections align with the recommended connection speeds below.
Please note that if a connection exceeds the guidelines, they are not automatically eligible for state reimbursement but can appeal to EORC for approval (please contact a program coordinator to get started)
Recommended Bandwidth for LEA’s by User Count
User Count (Students + Staff) as reported in ISEE | Recommended Minimum | Recommended Maximum |
---|---|---|
499 Users or below | 100Mbps | Up to 1 Gbps if the monthly cost is: 1) equal to or less than $2,000/mo, AND 2) equal to or less than $2.00 per Mbps |
At least 500 | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
At least 1,500 | 1 Gbps | 2 Gbps |
At least 3,000 | 1 Gbps | 5 Gbps |
At least 6,000 | 1 Gbps | Up to 10 Gbps, or 1Mbps/User |
At least 15,000 | 1 Gbps | Up to 20 Gbps, or 1 Mbps/User |
At least 35,000 | 1 Gbps | Up to 40 Gbps, or 1 Mbps/User |
Calendar for Starting an E-rate Funding Request
E-rate provides significant discounts or reimbursements for Internet service, internal connections such as service distribution hardware, service management, cabling, and fiber construction to the premises (last mile).
Each funding request must start with a Form 470, which must be initiated during the second-half of the calendar year in order to funded in the next calendar year.
For more details, please see the Calendar for Creating An E-rate Funding Request and the Annual E-rate Cheat Sheet.
EORC – Educational Opportunity Resource Committee
Idaho 33-5603 establishes the make-up of the Educational Opportunity Resource Committee.
- No upcoming meeting scheduled at this time
Committee Members
As of June 13th, 2022, the Education Opportunity Resource Committee is comprised of the following individuals in each role as listed in Idaho Code §33-5603:
- Chris Campbell
- Committee Chairman and Representative of State Board of Education
- OSBE Chief Technology Officer
- Daniel Vogt
- Designee of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Committee Vice-Chair
- OSBE E-rate Program Coordinator
- Shawn Tiegs
- Superintendent representing small schools (Fewer than 1,000 students)
- Nez Perce School District #302
- David Carson
- Superintendent representing medium schools (Between 1,000 and 4,999 students)
- Buhl School District #412
- Scott Wolstenhume
- Superintendents representing large schools (5,000 students or greater)
- Bonneville School District #93
- Stephanie Bailey-White
- State Librarian, Idaho Commission for Libraries
- Seth Deniston
- IETA Appointee #1
- Director of Technology at Coeur d’Alene School District #271
- Dan Smith
- IETA Appointee #2
- Director of Technology, Kendrick School District #283
The Annual E-rate Cycle
Annual E-Rate Cheat Sheet
Before Starting E-rate
- Idaho Procurement Law (Statute Title 67 Chapter 28 – Purchasing by Political Subdivisions)
- LEAs must first consider the estimated total value of the contract they are seeking.
- If the estimated value is between $75,000 and $150,000, then LEAs must solicit bids from vendors in accordance with sections 1a-1e of Idaho 67-2806. Section 67-2806 – Idaho State Legislature
- If the estimated value is $150,000 or greater, then LEAs must create a Request For Proposals (RFP) and hold a competitive sealed bid process in accordance with sections 2a-2j of Idaho 67-2806. Section 67-2806 – Idaho State Legislature
- To be eligible for B.I.I.G. special construction funds, LEAs must review their RFP with the Broadband Team prior to opening the bidding window.
- Schedule a meeting with the program coordinators here: https://calendly.com/dvogt-sde/erate
- State Reimbursement Guidelines (EORC)
- The Broadband Program reimbursement guidelines were voted on by Educational Opportunity Resources Committee June 9th 2022.
- Detailed Reimbursement Methodology
- What is My E-rate Discount Percentage?
- E-rate discount percentages are based on 1) rurality and 2) the LEA’s percentage of students eligible for free meals. LEAs may use data from the type of meal plan they participate in (NSLP, CEP, Provision II) or utilize income surveys.
- See the USAC discount matrix to determine your LEA’s E-rate percentage. Schools should use the most recently available data that can be validated by supporting documentation such as income surveys or state-authenticated data. For assistance confirming your discount percentage, or to request a data verification letter, contact dvogt@sde.idaho.gov.
- An LEA’s E-rate discount percentage can change from one Funding Year to the next and will not retroactively change previous discount percentages.
- Reporting Data for E-rate Funding
July – December: Competitive Bidding via E-rate Form 470 and RFP
- Each funding request must start with a Form 470, which must be initiated during the second-half of the calendar year in order to funded in the next calendar year.
- Request for Proposals are always recommended to ensure LEAs receive high-quality and competitive bids for services and hardware.
- For RFP templates, proofreading, and other guidance, contact dvogt@sde.idaho.gov
- Further detailed guidance will be added to section in the near-future.
January – March: Annual Funding Requests via Form 471
- Detailed guidance coming soon. For questions or more information, please contact broadband@sde.idaho.gov or schedule a call at your convenience.
April – July: Application Accepted or Otherwise
- Detailed guidance coming soon. For questions or more information, please contact broadband@sde.idaho.gov or schedule a call at your convenience.
- Once 471 applications are “Funded,” the next step to complete is Form 486. This must be completed in order to receive E-rate reimbursement.
- Form 486 confirms the “Service Start Date” of the approved funding request within each Funding Year, and that the applicant complies with CIPA.
- Deadline is 120 days after… (whichever is later):
- a) the date of the FCDL (Funding Commitment Decision Letter)
- b) the Service Start Date (SSD) within the Funding Year
- must be between 7/1/2023 and 6/30/2024
- For services currently in use, the SSD is July 1
- For one-time purchases, it would be considered the installation/turn-up date
Receiving Reimbursements (E-rate and State)
- The deadline to claim reimbursement for services and hardware billed between July 1 2022 and June 30 2023 is October 28th, 2023. LEAs must either request reimbursement from USAC (BEAR Form 472) or instead to agree with their service provider to discount the billed service and bill E-rate for the funds directly (SPI Form 474). All forms are completed at usac.org.
- Eligible category 1 invoices billed between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 can either be A) uploaded to the LEA’s unique OneDrive link (contact a coordinator to request a link), or B) emailed to a program coordinator. State reimbursements are issued each December and June for the previous six-months of eligible invoices.
Receiving Reimbursement – Retention Requirements, Other rents (E-rate and State)
- All E-Rate program participants – applicants, service providers and consortia – are required to maintain documentation that demonstrates compliance with the statutory or regulatory requirements for all E-Rate program purchases of service and equipment for a period of 10 years after the latter of the last day of the applicable funding year or the service delivery deadline for the funding request. Examples of such documentation include competitive bidding materials, program forms, contracts, and asset and inventory records of equipment purchased as components of supported Category Two services. Read More.