MiCTA | E-Rate FAQ - Eligible Products Database

E-Rate Frequently Asked Questions

Eligible Products Database

If a manufacturer modifies the information for a product entry, how long does it take for that updated information to be posted into the database?
Both changes to existing entries and the addition of new entries are reviewed by USAC personnel. Most entries are examined within 15 business days of receipt. USAC personnel will not post any new or changed entries that raise questions of eligibility or that fail to include complete information, but if no such questions are raised then posting to the database will take place shortly after review.

Deletions by the manufacturer will be immediately removed from the public interface of the database. Changes to optional fields, such as “representative price” will be posted immediately if there are no other changes to the entry.

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What is the field for Cost Allocation used for?
Some products contain both eligible and ineligible functions or components. For example, a video product may contain an eligible CODEC, an ineligible camera and an ineligible microphone. If the checkbox for Cost Allocation is indicated, then users of the database should refer to the Additional Notes field for cost allocation information that has been submitted by the manufacturer and accepted by USAC. Applicant fund requests for the product may then specify the allocation of costs between the eligible and ineligible components.

Cost allocations must be based on tangible (not subjective) criteria, and provide a realistic result. For additional information about cost allocation, see the SLD document “Cost Allocation Guidelines for Products and Services that Contain Eligible and Ineligible Components.”

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What are the checkboxes (VPN, storage, wireless, etc) used for?
Certain common eligibility issues are indicated by the checkbox information. The concept is that, if applicants are provided information about product characteristics that could affect eligibility, then applicants will be able to provide appropriate information as a part of their funding requests. Substantial SLD review time is spent requesting additional information from applicants, so if complete information is received as a part of funding requests then SLD review and potentially the speed of SLD decisions will be improved.

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Does the Products Database show products that are discontinued?
Submission of product information and the maintenance of these entries are primarily responsibilities of individual manufacturers. When a product is discontinued, a manufacturer may choose to delete that entry from the system. In other cases, however, it may be advantageous not to delete the entry, but only to modify it. The Additional Notes field can be used to indicate that a product is discontinued or at end-of-life, and can also include information about replacement products that are available.

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Can a manufacturer obtain PINs for additional users?
Yes. Additional authorized users for a manufacturer can obtain a user ID and PIN by completing the PIN registration process.

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