Administrative Procedure:
15-Day Process
Further Detail:
USAC�s information request process for all types of reviews of applicants� submissions includes standards used by reviewers when they request information and deadlines for applicants and service providers to respond to those requests. For most requests, applicants or service providers are asked to respond to the request in fifteen calendar days. The process was formerly the �7-Day Process� and was revised to the �15-Day Process.� After the initial contact on day one, applicants or service providers are sent a reminder request at or about day seven informing them that the information was not received as of the date of the reminder. USAC will grant requests for reasonable extensions. If the deadline is still not met, or if the information that has been provided is incomplete, USAC will make a funding determination based on available information. Prior to any funding request being denied or modified, the applicant is contacted by USAC and made aware of the impending denial or modification. This notification provides the applicant or service provider with the opportunity to either agree with the denial/modification or to submit additional documentation or other details that may change USAC�s proposed funding decision. Special handling procedures exist for the summer months and for part of December, when applicants may be unavailable. During those times, reviewers must not only make live contact with the appropriate contact person but must also ask the contact if they are able to respond to the inquiry at that time or if the question(s) needs to be deferred.
Rules that this furthers:
1. The Commission has affirmed USAC�s authority to put in place administrative policies to ensure prompt review of applications and prevent the undue delay of the application process. See e.g., Request for Review by Nicholas County School District, Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, Changes to the Board of Directors of the National Exchange Carrier Association, File No. SLD-220670, CC Docket Nos. 96-45, 97-21, Order, 17 FCC Rcd 22489, 22491, DA 02-3058, � 6 (2002). One such policy is the seven-day policy. See id.
2. The Commission directed USAC �to provide all E-rate applicants with an opportunity to cure ministerial and clerical errors on their FCC Form 470 or FCC Form 471, and an additional opportunity to file the required certifications.� Bishop Perry Order, 21 FCC Rcd 5316, 5366, FCC 06-54, � 23. The Commission also directed USAC to provide applicants 15 days �to amend or refile their FCC Form 470, FCC Form 471 or associated certifications.� Id.
3. 47 C.F.R � 54.701(a) requires USAC to �administer[ ] the universal service support mechanisms in an efficient, effective, and competitively neutral manner.�
4. 47 C.F.R. � 54.702(g) requires USAC to take �administrative action intended to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse.�
How this furthers program integrity:
Ensures that applicants and service providers are given a reasonable amount of time to respond to the application reviewer�s information request(s).