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E-Rate

VITA E-Rate Eligible Services Contracts (updated 11/19/2024)

The E-Rate program (i.e., Universal Service Schools and Libraries Program) allows schools and libraries to make purchases opf Internet access, telecommunications services, and related equipment at significantly discounted rates (20% to 90%).

When filing for E-Rate reimbursement in Virginia, strongly consider using VITA's "state master contracts" to conserve resources and leverage the state's buying power.

As the state's central procurement authority for IT and telecommunications goods and services, VITA is the sole entity in Virginia that can establish contracts for E-Rate Eligible Services on behalf of all of state government and all other public bodies in Virginia ("state master contracts"), including K-12 schools and public libraries.

VITA routinely uses proven, Virginia Public Procurement Act (VPPA)-compliant competitive processes to establish its contracts (so you don't have to!), with the leverage and experience to obtain most-favored pricing and customer-friendly contractual terms & conditions.

If you use VITA state master contracts for E-Rate, you do not have to do a resource-intensive, time-consuming solicitation (IFB or RFP), or even file an FCC Form 470 and wait 28 days, because VITA has already done so on your behalf. You can do a "mini-bid" and save time and resources. The mini-bid procedure is on the Virginia Department of Education E-Rate web page.

 

VITA has several state master contracts for E-Rate Eligible Services, both Category 1 ("Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access") and Category 2 ("Internal Connections, Managed Internal Broadband Services, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections").

In order to apply for E-Rate discounts using VITA state master contracts, you should:

  • Do a "mini-bid" with the available VITA state master contracts.
  • Evaluate your mini-bid VITA state master contract responses.
  • File an FCC Form 471 that refers to the VITA FCC Form 470 and your selected state master contract.

 

VITA Contracts for E-Rate Eligible Services

VITA has pre-qualified several "state master contracts" with FCC Form 470s so you don't have to file your own. Included are those for E-Rate "Category 1" services consisting of a number of Broadband Internet contracts; and several contracts for E-Rate "Category 2" services including wired and wireless networking equipment and cabling services. Applicants should retain a copy of the contract in your documentation before filing an FCC Form 471 and refer to the VITA FCC Form 470 and your selected state master contract in your FCC Form 471.

Category 1 Services (Data Transmission Services and/or Internet Access)

Below is information on VITA's popular contracts for broadband Internet access (i.e., E-Rate category 1 services).

VITA Broadband Internet Contracts

VITA filed FCC Form 470 #200000187 for the contracts listed below.

Contract information page:  Broadband Services Contracts

VITA Broadband Contract services now available for E-Rate Funding Year 2025

VITA has exercised its right make all Broadband services ordered by schools and libraries pursuant to VITA’s FCC Form 470 #200000187 (and VITA Broadband Contracts with contract numbers beginning with “VA-191201”) for the upcoming Funding Year valid through June 30, 2026. The purpose of this action is to allow all schools and libraries ample time to execute “mini-bids” and file their FCC Form 471s for E-Rate reimbursement for Funding Year 2025 (FY 2025), ending on that date.

Contractual notice of this action, which was provided for in the RFP and resulting State Master Contracts awarded pursuant to VITA’s FCC Form 470 #200000187, is filed with each contract. This ensures that VITA’s Broadband Contracts can be used for E-Rate Eligible Services for another year and schools and libraries can immediately begin planning and executing their vendor selection and award processes in time to file their paperwork for Funding Year 2025 during the “filing window” expected to open some time in January of 2025.

Please contact VDOE E-Rate support at john.mustachio@doe.virginia.gov, or 804-750-8620, if you need additional guidance on VITA state master contracts for E-Rate Category 1 broadband for the upcoming Funding Year.

Category 2 Services (Internal Connections, Managed Internal Broadband Services, and Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections)

VITA Statewide Networking Equipment Contracts

VITA filed FCC Form 470 # 220000042 for its statewide contracts for Networking Equipment, Products and Services (e.g., E-Rate Category 2 Services including "Internal Connections" and "Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections" such as routers, switches, wireless networking components, etc.).

VITA Statewide Telecommunications Cabling Services Contracts

VITA has established Statewide Telecommunications Cabling Services contracts to allow schools and libraries to issue "mini-bids" for the E-Rate eligible cabling services they offer, including structured network cabling systems and associated materials, pathways, components, etc. The contracts are associated with VITA's FCC Form 470 # 220000461.

This document, also included as a link at the bottom of each individual contract's summary information page under "Files/Attachments," provides additional, useful information about these contracts, including their geographic availability.

 

References:

For additional information on VITA telecommunications and Internet services contact the VITA Customer Care Center at 1 (866) 637-8482 or vccc@vita.virginia.gov.