If you apply for E-rate discounts on a T1 circuit that is purchased from the statewide SOMACS contract (e.g. to a branch library), there are some changes to that contract starting July 1.
Q: How do I know if I have a SOMACS T1?
A: You will be getting monthly bills from AT&T (actually Ohio Bell Telephone dba. AT&T Ohio) for $400 for each T1 circuit to your branch(es).
Q: What is changing?
A: The contract has been changed so you can either buy a T1 month-to-month (as is currently the case), but the price will go up to $450 per month, OR you can agree to a 24-month contract at $400 per month and will need to put the contract number, start date, and end date on your Form 471. If you chose the 24-month contract, there will be penalties for disconnecting the T1 before the end of the contract.
Q: What if I've already filed a Form 471 for my SOMACS T1(s)?
A: If you have already filed your Form 471, we recommend that you file a new Form 471, using the information below, prior to the filing window deadline of 11:59 p.m. EST on Thursday, February 12, 2009; put ~only~ the SOMACS Funding Request on this new application. Then when you get your Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) Funding Requests Report for the old Form 471, check the option to cancel your old SOMACS Funding Request.
If you elect to continue with the $400 per month T1 (24-month commitment), use the following information on your 471 Funding Request:
Contract number: SOMACS
Contract award date: February 6, 2009
(or the 29th day after the posting of your Form 470, if that is later)
Service start date: July 1, 2009
Service end date: June 30, 2010
Contract expiration date: June 30, 2011
If you intend to switch to $450 month-to-month on July 1, then use the following information:
Contract number: MTM
Contract award date:
Service start date: July 1, 2009
Service end date: June 30, 2010
Contract expiration date:
(Be sure to change your monthly charges to reflect the higher rate.)
As always, Lorrie Germann (lorrie.germann@etech.ohio.gov, 614-485-6050) or Steve Crumbacher (steven.crumbacher@etech.ohio.gov, 614-485-6010) should be able to answer any technical questions you have.