E-Rate Groups Oppose FCC-Proposed Competitive Bidding Portal

E-rate advocates asked the FCC to reconsider its draft NPRM on the program’s competitive bidding process, in letters posted Tuesday in docket 21-455 (see 2111300047). The proposed national bidding portal is “most concerning,” said groups including the State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance, Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband Coalition and the State Educational Technology Directors Association. “The new bidding requirements would be accompanied by detailed procurement procedures without regard for how overly burdensome they may be on E-rate applicants and service providers,” the groups said, saying the FCC should seek comment on whether the proposal to require applicants to upload all bidding documents is “appropriate and necessary.” The groups asked for a 90-day comment period. California Department of Education’s K-12 High Speed Network and its program manager, the Imperial County Office of Education, echoed similar concerns in a letter Tuesday opposing the proposed portal. It asked the FCC to either withdraw the draft NPRM or consider releasing a public notice to “gain contextual knowledge” on state and local practices.