STATE BROADBAND REIMBURSEMENT

INTRODUCTION

The Idaho Commission for Libraries is responsible for reimbursing Idaho public libraries for the after E-rate discount portion of the cost of approved broadband services. Broadband services include bandwidth for direct internet access and wide-area networks (WANs). The Education Opportunity Resource Committee (EORC) determines the reimbursement methodology.

Note: Category 2 (Equipment) applications are not eligible for state reimbursement.

ELIGIBILITY

To receive broadband reimbursement, entities must:

  1. Be an E-rate eligible entity as defined in Idaho Code 33-5602(2)(c)
  2. Make a good-faith effort to apply for and receive E-rate funding
  3. Follow applicable procurement law and E-rate competitive bidding requirements
  4. Supply all requested broadband information and documentation to ICfL

BROADBAND REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS

The broadband reimbursement process consists of the following steps:

  1. Eligible entities apply for E-rate funding
  2. ICfL collects broadband information and copy of signed contract(s), if any
  3. (1st Half: December) Submit July – December broadband invoices to ICfL
    1. After review, ICfL issues broadband reimbursement for July – December
  4. (2nd Half: May) Submit January – April/May broadband invoices to ICfL
  5. (2nd Half: August) Submit May/June broadband invoices to ICfL
    1. After review, ICfL issues broadband reimbursement for January – June

NOTE: If the May and June invoices are not submitted by the August deadline, your library will not receive a 2nd half reimbursement.

REIMBURSABLE BANDWIDTH LEVELS

The EORC determines the minimum and maximum amounts of bandwidth eligible for reimbursement.

  • Automatic reimbursements for fixed locations include:
    • Minimum 10 Mbps & Maximum 1 Gbps wired connections
    • Microwave wireless up to 100 Mbps automatically approved
  • For Libraries with more than one facility, automatic reimbursements for:
    • Managed WANs up to 10 Gbps

With the following caveats:

  1. Any request for Internet connections under 1 Gbps and is either less than $2.00 be Mbps OR monthly costs are less than $2,000 (per-E-rate) are automatically reimbursed with the approval of the ICfL Technology Services Consultant/State E-rate Coordinator.
  2. Any single internet connection over 1 Gbps will require an appeal to EORC for reimbursement. Approved appeals are valid for the life of the contract, not including term extensions noted in contract.

Reimbursements for entities over the maximum must be appealed to the EORC.

APPEALS

An entity whose broadband reimbursement is denied or adjusted may appeal the decision to the EORC. The appeal must be in writing, including any necessary documents, and be submitted to ICfL prior to the next meeting. If the initial appeal is denied, an entity may make an in-person or phone appeal to the EORC at the next scheduled meeting.