Transcript 2015 0112webinar

Finalist Webinar
January 12, 2015
Kenneth Klau
Director of Digital Learning
ESE
Karthik Viswanathan
Deputy CIO
MassIT
Agenda
• Overall timeline
• Instructions for obtaining bids from vendors in accordance
with E-rate rules
• What to provide to MassIT if you are participating in the
statewide E-rate consortium
• How and when the local match is calculated
• Professional development and networking
• Q&A
3
Overall Timeline
Finalists
Announced
Infrastructure
costs based on
rough estimates
from MassIT
Site Surveys
Documentation
Local Match
Construction
Devices, PD, AT
Vendors visit
school during
predefined
windows of time
and calculate
quotes
Districts file E-rate
Form 471 through
MassIT and
provide MassIT
with E-rate
documentation
School districts
secure local
match through
internal budget
processes.
MassIT pays
100% of
infrastructure
cost to vendors
through the
bond.
Documentation of
local match costs due
to ESE and MassIT;
device orders may be
placed though
MassIT
Jan 2015
RFQ Posted
MassIT posts RFQ
for site surveys to
interested
vendors on the
state contract
Feb 2015
Vendor
Selection
Each school
district picks
vendor with cost
as primary factor
Feb-Mar 2015
Mar-Jun 2015
Jun-Dec 2015
E-Rate
Fallback
Recovery
E-rate filing due
to USAC on
March 26 (all
districts must
apply for E-rate
category 2
If a school district
decides to pass, a
semifinalist is
chosen from the
list
MassIT bills
districts for
matching portion
based on local
match use for
devices, PD, AT
4
Obtaining Bids
• All districts funded through this grant must apply for an E-rate
category 2 reimbursement through MassIT
• In accordance with federal E-rate rules, each district must try to
obtain bids from at least three vendors
• Vendors must cost out separately all products and services that are
not eligible for an E-rate category 2 reimbursement (the state
match is only based upon category 2 items)
• All districts applying for an E-rate category 2 reimbursement
directly must do so by the Federal filing deadline: April 16, 2015.*
• Districts must provide all required E-rate documentation to MassIT
by February 28, 2015.
*In March 2015 the FCC extended the E-rate filing deadline from March 26 to April 16, 2015.
5
Background on E-Rate
• E-rate provides discounts to assist schools to obtain affordable voice
services and Internet access.
• The size of the discount depends on the poverty level and the
urban/rural status of the population served.
• In December 2014 the FCC voted to raise the annual E-rate funding cap
from $2.4 billion to $3.9 billion.
• Reimbursements for voice services (“category 1”) are being phased
down 20 percent per year between 2016 and 2019 such that by 2019
reimbursements will only be available for category 2 services
(infrastructure).
• Schools seeking support for category 2 services in funding years 2015
through 2019 will be eligible to request up to $150 per student (prediscount) over a 5-year period.
6
Statewide E-Rate Consortium
• MassIT will file a single E-rate application on behalf of all finalists
• Required documentation:
– Letter of Agency (MassIT will provide format)
– Certification by Administrative Authority of Compliance with the Children's
Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
– Certified free and reduced lunch data
• MassIT reserves the right to evaluate documentation for completeness
• MassIT may reimburse the state with any E-rate reimbursements up to the
percentage of the state match
• At the request of the district, MassIT can use the district’s E-rate
reimbursement to pay for devices
7
Statewide E-Rate Consortium
• The FCC directed USAC to prioritize the review of E-rate
applications from state and regional consortia applicants.
• Reduces the administrative burden on local school districts.
• Saves districts money that would otherwise be paid to
consultants.
• The consortium lead responds to all inquiries from USAC on
behalf of the consortium members throughout the process.
• The consortium lead represents districts in any audits and any
appeals needed to correct filing errors.
8
Calculating the Local Match
Example 1:
50% Local Match
Infrastructure Only
$300,000 Infrastructure Cost
10
Example 2:
50% Local Match
Infrastructure Only
$300,000 Infrastructure Cost
11
Local Match (Cont.)
• If the district is only purchasing infrastructure, the local match is a
percentage of that figure (found in RFP, Attachment B - Lists of
communities and match requirements)
– Any non-category 2 products or services included in an infrastructure project
must be costed out separately, both for E-rate and for counting those costs
towards the local match
• If the district is purchasing infrastructure plus devices, professional
development, and/or assistive technology, the local match is
calculated as follows:
1. Divide infrastructure (state) costs by the state match percentage (e.g., .7)
2. Subtract that figure from the infrastructure cost
3. While the district does not have to identify the specific PD, devices, and/or
assistive technology until late 2015, the local match is a minimum obligation
that must be met either through infrastructure or other documented
expenditures.
12
Learning Technology Initiative (LTI) Contract
• Provides infrastructure (e.g., Wi-Fi installation), devices, and
professional development for a fixed, per pupil cost
• Different tiers of services anticipated
• Vendors have a range of solutions depending on local need
• Vendors cost out E-rate products and services for MassIT
• Vendors deliver webinars in late January/early February to all
districts that indicated an intent to purchase from the LTI contract
13
Early Professional Learning Opportunity for
High School Educators (No Cost)
• The Office of Digital Learning in partnership with the Northeast
Comprehensive Center (NCC) is piloting a free, online professional
development course for high school teachers interested in developing and
teaching an online or blended course.
• Runs January 20, 2015 - December 2015.
• Capacity is 50 participants on a first-come-first-serve basis.
• Teams of educators from the same school are encouraged to apply.
• To register, go to: http://www.doe.mass.edu/pd/offerings.html
• Those who attempt to register beyond the 50-person limit will be added to
a waitlist.
• Additional course sections will be offered, now or in the near future, if
demand for this pilot course exceeds capacity, with priority given to those
on the waitlist.
14
Roles and Responsibilities
ESE
MassIT
• Administers the initial grant process
and reviews programmatic aspects of
grant applications
• Calculates infrastructure estimates
based on data provided by districts in
the application
• Communicates information about
overall grant requirements and
processes to the field
• Provide technical assistance to districts
in obtaining bids from vendors in
accordance with E-rate rules
• Establishes standards for professional
development and evaluation
• Serves as lead applicant in statewide Erate consortium
• Provides resources/opportunities for
professional learning and networking
• Manage all fiscal aspects of the grant
Office of Digital Learning
[email protected]
(781) 338-3256
Office of Municipal & School Technology
[email protected]
(617) 626-4501
15