Agenda Item
c. Educational Funding Group, Inc. for E-Rate Consulting Services ( Not to exceed $80,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve payment to Educational Funding Group, Inc. for E-rate consulting services at an amount not to exceed $80,000.
Why: The purpose of this agenda item is to approve the purchase of e-rate consulting services for the Division of Information and Instructional Technology.
Details: The primary function of the Educational Funding Group (EFG) is to guide DCSD successfully through the myriad of rules and regulations of the federal E-rate program. This program provides funding for critical technology needs, such as the District’s WAN infrastructure, internet access and equipment needed to provide broadband across the DeKalb County Schools.
The E-rate program is designed to provide discounts to assist schools and libraries in the United States in obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access. The program is funded through the Universal Service fee and is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The program covers two main categories:
● Category 1: This includes voice services and the transmission of Internet access within educational buildings.
● Category 2: This includes eligible equipment such as wireless access points, switches, routers, data cabling, and UPSs.
Financial impact: $80,000
General Fund
100.2800.530000.00011.7600.9990.0308.070.0000
Contact: Dr. Kermit Belcher, Chief Information Officer, Division of Information & Instructional Technology, 678.676.1274
Effective: June 2025
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Chronology – Educational Funding Group (E-Rate Consultant)
The primary function of the Educational Funding Group (EFG) is to guide
DCSD successfully through the myriad of rules and regulations of the federal
E-rate program. This program provides funding for critical technology needs,
such as the District’s WAN infrastructure, internet access and equipment
needed to provide broadband across the DeKalb County Schools. EFG
provides the following services to the District:
● Technology Review: Reviews District’s existing technology needs
relative to E-Rate eligible services to maximize District’s E-rate funding
opportunities;
● Form Preparation: EFG prepares and processes all necessary E-rate
applications and forms on behalf of District (which are submitted to
the District for approval prior to being filed);
● Competitive Bidding: EFG guides the District through the E-rate
competitive bidding processes, which is done in collaboration with
DCSD’s procurement procedures. It also works with the District to
review E-rate service provider proposals and help determine the most
cost-effective eligible services that best suit the District’s needs
● Participation in USAC Review Processes: EFG prepares written
responses to higher level USAC reviews, such as USAC Program
Integrity Assurance (PIA), Cost-effectiveness, Payment Quality
Assurance (PQA) and Selective Service (SSR) Reviews, and other
audits related to, or arising from, work done by EFG.
● Post Commitment Actions: EFG prepares and submits post-
commitment changes and corrections, such as Service Substitutions,
SPIN changes, Service Certifications, and appeals and requests for
Waivers to USAC and/or the FCC. EFG also reviews vendor invoices for
E-rate accuracy prior to invoicing for reimbursement.
● Document Retention: EFG retains copies of all documents associated
with the funding years contracted by the District for the time period
necessary to remain in compliance with FCC rules, which is currently
ten (10) years from the last date of service.
● E-rate Compliance and Legal Matters: As necessary, EFG apprises
the District of the FCC’s and USAC’s E-rate rules and regulations.
● Ancillary Services: EFG also tracks the District’s Category 2 budgets;
Evaluates NSLP/CEP data, as necessary; and reconciles all E-rate
reimbursements.
Continued close collaboration between Educational Funding Group and
DeKalb County School District has ensured that the District has received the
maximum benefit from the E-rate program and allowed the District to build
further upon their networks and infrastructure.
Financial Impact:
Year Cost
2022 $70,000
2023 $70,000
2024 $75,000
2025 $80,000 requested