What is E-rate funding? And how does the E-rate program work?
E-rate (also known as the Schools and Library Program of the Universal Service Fund) is a budget extender for Public K–12 schools and districts and nonprofit schools that need affordable access to telecommunications and Internet services. It is a federal program administered under the Universal Administrative Company (USAC) under direction of the FCC. Through the E-rate program, K – 12 districts and libraries lacking the financial resources or a strong tax base can purchase new networking hardware and IT services at a discount, such as UPS, power distribution, and racks/enclosures.
Eligibility is determined by several criteria. For instance, a qualifying school district may receive a 20 to 90 percent discount based on the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced lunch, and whether a school district classifies as urban or rural.
Eligible Services
Eligible services are divided into two categories, though Power Edge products and services only apply to Category Two.
- Category One covers data transmission and/or Internet access
- Category Two applies to telecommunications equipment and services, and Internet access, as well as internal connections, managed internal broadband services and basic maintenance of internal connections.
Power Edge offers a full selection of Category Two E-Rate eligible products, including:
- UPS Systems: 3-phase, single-phase, line-interactive, double-online conversion, both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries
- External battery Cabinets (EBCs)
- Power Distribution Units (PDUs)
- Floor-standing and wall-mount racks
- Network cards including installation and programming
- Installation of new UPS systems
- Removal of old equipment, including certified green recycling
E-rate Tips
What is the E-Rate application process?
Prospective applicants submit a 470 form for competitive bids on their project. A 28-day waiting period then begins for resellers and contractors to provide bids on the application. Once the competitive bidding process has closed and an applicant chooses a bid, they then submit a 471 form to notify the FCC of the bid choice and acceptance of funding.
The decision maker at the facility is faced with many factors in their evaluation, including the price of eligible products and services that must be weighted more heavily than other factors.
Annual E-rate Funding Timeline
E-rate funding season comes every year and typically follows the same timeline for the next fiscal year. Decision makers usually begin their purchasing journey for the next school year in October but can start site visits as early as spring.
What PowerEdge Offers
Power Edge supplies, installs and services the following equipment: generators, Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) devices, Power Distribution Units (PDU) and air handlers. Our solutions ensure your power infrastructure has the greatest reliability possible.
More than just the lowest price – we offer full service:
- Power Solutions
- Procurement
- Installation
- Monitoring
- Maintenance
- Green Disposal
Your data is critical and needs the proper infrastructure to run without interruption. Power Edge has helped government agencies, schools, hospitals and Fortune 1000’s implement comprehensive power management solutions efficiently and on budget. We are in contact with all major manufacturers and can be your information resource on the constantly developing world of IoT and the Edge.
Let Power Edge Maximize your E-rate Dollars
Prepare for E-rate funding with a Power Assessment Audit
- Walk the site to evaluate every closet or room that has IT equipment
- Document your current UPS’s and related equipment
- Assess current racks and infrastructure, including servers and switches, to plan for future growth
- Evaluate electrical outlets and breakers to ensure they are suitable for proposed solutions
- Track power cords of IT equipment which require UPS protection to identify potential load balance issues
- Provide a write-up of findings and recommendations, and personally review the findings with your team
Audit costs credited towards equipment and installation if you utilize Power Edge as your E-rate solution provider.
Get the most for your E-rate dollars with a Power Protection Plan
Simplify the process of purchasing and maintaining a new UPS while still taking advantage of E-rate funding with Power Edge’s Power Protection Plan. Gain peace of mind in the reliability of your network by bundling
- Removal and green recycling of the old UPSs
- Procurement of properly-sized UPSs and PDUs with proper outputs
- Installation & start up of UPSs; Installation and removal performed by factory-certified technicians
- Programming of web-card including IP address, as required
- Installation of external by-pass (in conjunction with UPS internal by-pass) ensures power continuity in event of UPS failure
- 5-year extended warranty with onsite response
- Guaranteed overnight delivery of replacement equipment
- Dedicated access to a toll-free number in the event of emergencies
Past E-rate Performance
Completed power audit. Supply, install and maintain 59 Vertiv UPS systems in 23 schools
Contract #: FRN 2199024207
Value: $192,662.94
Completion date: 7/8/2021
School contact: Dave Hopp, Director of Technology
Phone: (203) 854-4039 Email: dave@norwalkps.org
Procure and install 88 single-phase UPS
Contract #: FRN 2299040058
Value: $305,429.64
Completion date: 8/21/2023
School contact: Lorena Emanuel, Supervisor of Technology and Student Data
Phone: (860) 584-7032 email: lorenaemanuel@bristolk12.org
Procure and install (8) Vertiv PSI5-2200RT120UPS
Contract #: FRN 2299039127
Value: $9,199.66
Completion date: 8/11/2023
School contact: Rob Baranauskas
Email: rbaran@rsd6.org
Procure and install (1) Liebert APS and (6) PSI5-1500MT120 single-phase UPS for five schools
Contract #: FRN 230022298
Value: $27,490.61
Completion date: 11/15/2023
School contact: Matthew Brennan
Email: mbrennan@region16ct.org