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<p class="MsoNormal">If you or any other entity in your tribe participates in E-Rate (or you’d like too but find it too complicated!), below is an opportunity to provide comment about the program to the FCC.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Cheers!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:black">Buzzy Nielsen, MPP, MSI (he/him/his)
<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:115%">Program Manager, Library Support & Development Services<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:115%">State Library of Oregon<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:115%">buzzy.nielsen@slo.oregon.gov | 971-375-3486<br>
<a href="https://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries">www.oregon.gov/library/libraries</a><u><span style="color:#0563C1"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal">Follow us: <a href="http://fb.me/StateLibraryOR">
Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/StateLibraryOR">Twitter</a><b> </b>| <a href="https://www.instagram.com/statelibraryor/">
Instagram</a><b> </b>|<b> </b><a href="https://pinterest.com/statelibraryor/">Pinterest</a><u><span style="color:#0563C1"> |
</span></u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0-kU8Gu0jS_YcnXg-b_TRA/featured">YouTube</a><u><span style="color:#0563C1"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/library/libraries"><span style="color:windowtext;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="323" height="43" style="width:3.3666in;height:.45in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image002.png@01D963F3.A89107A0" alt="Logo for the Library Support & Development Services division at the State Library of Oregon"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:Native@fcc.gov">
Native@fcc.gov</a> <<a href="mailto:Native@fcc.gov">Native@fcc.gov</a>> <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Friday, March 31, 2023 1:27 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Native-Miscellaneous <<a href="mailto:native-misc@info.fcc.gov">native-misc@info.fcc.gov</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> FCC to Host Virtual Tribal Consultation on April 13 on its NPRM to Encourage Greater Tribal Participation in E-Rate Program<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Greetings from the Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The Commission has invited Tribal leaders to a virtual consultation on Thursday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m. EST, to discuss a
</span><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.fcc.gov%2Fpublic%2Fattachments%2FFCC-23-10A1.pdf&data=05%7C01%7CBuzzy.NIELSEN%40slo.oregon.gov%7C55175f3cafd84b72543e08db3229c217%7Caa3f6932fa7c47b4a0cea598cad161cf%7C0%7C0%7C638158927177461411%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=taDxGoe5PGyt6hvXJN6fXa%2FbDI5B2GxcywzQx6Y1KgA%3D&reserved=0"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking</span></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"> (NPRM) adopted on February 16, seeking comment on improvements to the E-Rate program that would increase access to E-Rate support for Tribal schools and libraries.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Information about the consultation is available at
</span><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Fnews-events%2Fevents%2F2023%2F04%2Ftribal-consultation-proposed-rules-address-barriers-e-rate-access&data=05%7C01%7CBuzzy.NIELSEN%40slo.oregon.gov%7C55175f3cafd84b72543e08db3229c217%7Caa3f6932fa7c47b4a0cea598cad161cf%7C0%7C0%7C638158927177461411%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=I7OpyVmVaq3F%2BuwPyI3kpyYiSrhn9Fz1JaLsCrbBdvw%3D&reserved=0"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">https://www.fcc.gov/news-events/events/2023/04/tribal-consultation-proposed-rules-address-barriers-e-rate-access</span></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.
Tribal leaders may register by sending an email message to </span><a href="mailto:Tribal.Events@fcc.gov"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Tribal.Events@fcc.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#1D2B3E">,
</span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">and are encouraged to bring
<span class="eop">staff and library, school, and information technology (IT) representatives to the Tribal consultation as observers. Tribal leaders may also designate a proxy(ies) to attend on their behalf.
</span><span style="color:#1D2B3E"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="text-indent:0in;mso-list:none"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The<i>
</i>NPRM seeks comment on the following:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Simplifying E-Rate forms and cost-allocation requirements;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Providing an additional competitive bidding exemption for low-cost services and equipment for Tribal applicants;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Increasing the maximum discount rate for Category Two services from 85% to 90% for Tribal applicants;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Allowing Tribal college libraries that serve a dual role by also serving as the Tribal community’s public library to be eligible for E-Rate support;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Providing an extended or separate application filing window for Tribal libraries to align with their Tribal procurement requirements and approval processes;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Increasing the Category Two $25,000 funding floor for Tribal applicants;
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Adding a Tribal representative to the Universal Service Administrative Company’s Board of Directors, which administers the program for the FCC; and
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Considering other potential reforms to encourage greater participation by Tribal or similarly situated small or rural applicants, particularly if they face barriers that impede
equitable access to the E-Rate program. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="text-indent:0in;mso-list:none"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Tribal governmental entities and other stakeholders are encouraged to review the NPRM and to consider filing comments in CC Docket No. 02-6 in the FCC’s
Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at </span><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fcc.gov%2Fecfs%2Ffilings%2Fstandard&data=05%7C01%7CBuzzy.NIELSEN%40slo.oregon.gov%7C55175f3cafd84b72543e08db3229c217%7Caa3f6932fa7c47b4a0cea598cad161cf%7C0%7C0%7C638158927177461411%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=PmFIQPJx0NsxQl0sZFH3nWPtgDY8Pm%2BFjvCMoPBi%2BBc%3D&reserved=0"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard</span></a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Comments are due Monday, April 24, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Reply Comments are due Tuesday, May 23, 2023.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="ParaNum" style="margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo4">
<![if !supportLists]><span style="font-family:Symbol"><span style="mso-list:Ignore">·<span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"">
</span></span></span><![endif]><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Interested parties are also welcome to submit information for this proceeding after the May 23, 2023 deadline, if additional time is needed.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Please email the Office of Native Affairs and Policy with any questions at
</span><a href="mailto:native@fcc.gov"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">native@fcc.gov</span></a><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in"><b>Bambi Kraus</b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in">Chief, Office of Native Affairs and Policy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p style="margin:0in">Federal Communications Commission<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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