FY2015 FCC Form 471 Category 1 Services FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 1 Table of Contents Topic Page The Basics 3 Applying for Category 1 Services 9 Form 471 Section One: Basic Information 12 Form 471 Section Two: Discount Calculation 20 Manually Entering Entities 23 Importing Entities 29 Working with Entities 33 Connectivity Questions 36 Form 471 Section Three: Funding Requests 39 Item 21 57 Managing Recipients 65 Form 471 Section Four: Certifications and Signature 72 Revisiting Forms 78 Wrapping Up 80 FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 2 The Basics FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 3 What is the FCC Form 471? An indication of which vendor has been selected to provide services and the amount of funding being requested • Lists individual funding requests • Separated by category of service • Separated by the selected service providers and eligible services that have been chosen as a result of the FCC Form 470 • Identifies the eligible entities that will receive the services • Calculates how much funding support is being sought • Includes an embedded Item 21 describing requested services and products in detail • Communicates the discount percentage to which the applicant is entitled • Certifies the applicant’s compliance with program rules FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 4 What should I have already done? You should have already filed an FCC Form 470, waited at least 28 days, selected the most cost-effective bid, and signed a contract. Once that is done, you can file an FCC Form 471. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 5 When can I file a Form 471? • USAC announces an application filing window each year. • The earliest date that a Form 471 can be filed will be the date established as the opening date of the Form 471 application window. • However, the Form 471 cannot be filed until the Form 470 has been posted for at least 28 days and a contract has been signed and dated. The Form 470 Receipt Notification Letter provides the Allowable Contract Date. • The form must be received or postmarked by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on or before the date that the application filing window closes. FY2015 Form 471 Filing window: January 14, 2015 (Noon EST) - March 26, 2015 (11:59 PM EST) Postmark Date) FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 6 Where do I file a Form 471? File the Form 471 online at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp The Form 471 must be filed online, but can be certified either online or by paper. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 7 How many separate forms do I file? Your choice! • You may file one Form 471 OR • You may file a separate Form 471 for each type of service However, the new online Form 471 requires you to file separately for: • Category 1 (Telecommunications and Internet Access) and • Category 2 (Internal Connections/Managed Internal Broadband Services & Maintenance of Internal Connections) FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 8 Applying For Category 1 Services Note: You can not include Category 1 funding requests on a Form 471 containing Category 2 requests. You must file separate applications. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 9 Apply Online Click on “FCC Form 471” to get started FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 10 Apply Online Click on “Start” to create an application FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 11 Form 471 Section One: Basic Information First, you will enter some basic contact information. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 12 [Billed Entity Information] ① Enter the Billed Entity Number for the entity that will be paying the bills (most likely the school district), and click on “Enter” to pull up its information ② The FCC Registration Number should auto populate, but if not, enter the number here (either look up the number using the tool here or obtain it from last year’s Form 471) ③ Then click on “Next” to continue Words of Caution: Be patient! This may take several moments to process. If you hit the “Next” button twice, you will get a second application number. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 13 [Application Type and Recipients of Service] ① Choose the Application Type Words of Caution: You cannot change the Application Type once it has been selected. Be careful! ② Select as many types of Recipient(s) of Service as apply for those entities that will be on this form ③ Enter an email address for where to send the Application Number and Security Code ④ Click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 14 [Application Number] ① Provide a Nickname for the form that will serve as a reminder ② Click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Notice the confirmation that the email was sent. You may also want to save a screen shot of this page just in case! You will need this information to access this form again. Slide 15 [Contact Information] A If a consultant is helping you (and no, this does not include the state coordinator!), click on “Yes” B If you are not using a consultant, click on “No” Note: The term "non-employee" includes contractors or others who are employed by the entity on a contract or short-term basis who do not receive a W-2 application from the entity filling out the application. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 16 [Consultant Contact Information] A ① If you clicked on “Yes” (a consultant is helping), enter their Registration Number and choose the consultant’s name A ② Choose whether the consultant is acting as the contact for this application If you clicked on “No”, enter the contact information for the appropriate contact person FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 17 [Contact Person’s Information] B ① If you clicked on “No” (a consultant is not helping), then enter contact information for the appropriate contact person FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 18 [Contact Person’s Information] ① Determine if the address and phone number for the Billed Entity and the contact person are exactly the same. If they are, choose “Yes”. ② Enter Holiday or Summer contact information. If they are not, choose “No”, and then provide contact information. ④FY2015 ClickFCCon “Next” to 1continue. Form 471 – Category ③ Choose a mailing location and the person who should receive correspondence. Slide 19 Form 471 Section Two: Discount Calculation Next, you will choose the Category of Service you are requesting and provide Discount Calculation information. This section has two purposes --- to calculate your discounts, and to indicate which entities are receiving discounted services. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 20 [Category of Service] ① Choose Category 1 to begin a Form 471 for Category 1 services ② Click on “Next” to continue Words of Caution: You cannot change the Category once it has been selected. The online system will not allow you to file for both Category 1 and Category 2 requests on the same Form 471. You must file separate applications. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 21 [Adding Entities] To add entities, you can either: A enter them directly into the online form interface or B import your entities using an Excel template B A Note: The use of templates is completely optional. You may find it easier to enter the information directly into the form. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 22 Manually Adding Entities FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 23 [Manually Adding Entities] Clicking on “Enter Entity” moves the cursor to the Entity Number textbox. A ① Enter the Billed Entity Number for your district or independent school A ② Click on “Add Entity” Note: If you are filing as an individual school but are part of a school district, you must enter all of the schools in the Discount Calculation section of this form in order to correctly calculate your discount. You will need to enter the school district entity number on this page. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 24 [Manually Adding Entities] A ③ Confirm that the correct district or independent school is shown, and click on “Enter Data” to add each building FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 25 [Manually Adding Entities] A ④ Click on the “+” to add a building or school Note: To accurately calculate the district discount percentage, you must add every school belonging to your school district even if only one school or a subset of schools are receiving the services requested on this FRN. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 26 [Manually Adding Entities] A ⑤ Complete the table with information about the school or building, and click on “Submit” to add the record Fields Note: As soon as you enter an entity number and leave the field using the [Tab] key or the mouse, key information about the entity will automatically populate some fields. Urban or Rural: This field will pre-populate based on the designation determined by the 2010 Census. The entity’s urban/rural status may have changed from its pre-2015 status. If the system cannot find a match to census data, you can select the appropriate designation. If you change the status or add a missing status here in the online form, it will be addressed during PIA review. State LEA ID: This field is the Maine SAU ID for the district. State School ID: This field is the Maine School ID for the school. School Attribute: Select all attributes that apply or “None” if no attributes apply. Student Count Based on Estimate: In general, pick “no” unless the entity is new construction. Alternative Discount: If you used an alternative discount mechanism rather than free and reduced lunch numbers as reported to the state, select the method you used. Otherwise, select the “None” option. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 27 [Manually Adding Entities] A ⑥ Click on the pencil icon to edit an entry, or the “+” to continue adding entities. Add a row for each school in the school district. A ⑦ Click in these fields in this worksheet to add the total student and NSLP counts for each school A ⑨ Click on “Next” to continue A ⑧ Click on “Save and Recalculate” FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 once entities are added Slide 28 Importing Entities FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 29 [Importing Entities] B ① Choose “Import/Copy” if you are using a template or are copying entities from a previously submitted FY2015 application FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 30 [Importing Entities] B ② Click on “Upload Entities”, browse for a completed template file, and click on “Import” Or Click on “Copy Entities”, enter the Application Number of an FY2015 Form 471 that has been submitted, and click on “Import” FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 31 [Importing Entities] After the import is complete, you will see a listing of entities Note: The “!” shows that info is needed B ③ Click on “Enter Data” to view the imported entities, to edit information, or to provide any missing information FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 32 Working with Entities FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 33 [Working with Entities] After either importing or manually adding entities, a list of what has been entered will display Select a row and click on the pencil icon to edit an entry Scroll down the page to see the Discount Calculation Worksheet and Discount Rate FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 34 [Working with Entities] Click in any cell to edit or enter missing information Click on “Next” to continue If changes are made in the worksheet above, click on “Save and Recalculate” to recalculate the discount rate FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 35 Connectivity Questions FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 36 [Connectivity Questions] You will need to answer Connectivity Questions for any entity listed on this Discount Calculation screen. ① Click on “Connectivity Questions” FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 37 [Connectivity Questions] ② Select the Internet Access speed. ③ Enter the number of schools with WAN connections scalable to 10 Gbps. ④ Enter a value in each field, using zeroes where necessary until the total matches the total number of schools. ⑥ Click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 ⑤ If “Completely sufficient …” is not selected for one or more schools, you will receive these additional questions. Check all Slide 38 that apply. Form 471 Section Three: Funding Requests You will next provide Funding Request information. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 39 Choose a method to create a Funding Request Funding Requests A unique Funding Request Number (FRN) will be assigned to each Form 471 Funding Request. An FRN is used to track and report details about products and discounts requested. You may have multiple FRNs on one application. Each FRN will be reviewed and funded individually. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 40 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ① - FRN Nickname Give the Funding Request a nickname and click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 41 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ② - Duplicate Funding Request Answer this item with caution! If this is a duplicate funding request (e.g., of an FRN from this or another funding year that is not yet approved or is under appeal), click on “Yes” and enter the original FRN in the space provided. This is an uncommon circumstance. Hover over the “i” icon for additional information, and when in doubt, answer “No”. Click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 42 Step ③ - Service Type [Funding Requests Step by Step] The displayed service type choices are based on whether Category 1 or Category 2 was chosen previously in creating this application. Choose the service type, and click on “Next” to continue. Note: the service type must match the type listed on the establishing Form 470. Even though Category 1 services can be listed in either or both Telecommunications or Internet Access on the Form 470, you must select the correct category of service on the Form 471. • Select Telecommunications if the service is provided by a telecommunications carrier. • Select Internet Access if it is not provided by a telecommunications carrier. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 43 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ④ - Establishing FCC Form 470 Click “Yes”, enter the Form 470 application number and click on “Enter”. Verify that the correct entity is listed. Note: The option to choose “No” only appears when requesting Internet Access and should be selected only in very rare situations. Most entities must file a Form 470. Click on “Next” to continue. If a funding request is for a multi-year contract or a contract with voluntary extensions, list the original Form 470 that was used to competitively bid for that service. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 44 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ⑤ - Service Provider Information Enter the SPIN, and click on “Enter”. Verify that the correct name is listed. If so, click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 45 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ⑥ - Billing Account Provide the billing account number, if applicable (you may use N/A or TBD) . If there are multiple account numbers, enter the value and click on “Add” for each. Click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 46 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ⑦ - Contract Choose how you are purchasing services: tariff, month-to-month, or contract. A tariffed service is a telecommunications service that you purchase at rates regulated by the state regulatory commission and/or the FCC, for which you do not have a signed, written contract. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 47 [View if Requesting Tariff Service] ① If requesting tariff service, provide the service start date and end date for the funding year ② Click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 48 [View if Requesting MTM Service] ① If requesting month-to-month service, provide the service start date and end date for the funding year ② Click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 49 [View if Requesting Contracted Services] ① If requesting contracted service, provide the Contract Number (you may use N/A or TBD) ② Click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 50 [Step by Step for Contracted Services] Based on the Form 470 used, the Allowable Contract Date will be displayed. ① Provide the following: • Contract award date • Date the contract expires • Date the service will start (usually 7/1) ② Click on “Next” to continue. Words of Caution: YOU WILL NO LONGER RECEIVE A POPUP REMINDING YOU THAT YOUR CONTRACT AWARD DATE IS BEFORE YOUR ALLOWABLE CONTRACT DATE. Remember, your Contract Award Date must be on or after the Allowable Contract Date and before the filing and certification date of the Form 471. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 51 [Step by Step for Contracted Services] ③ Determine if your contract allows for voluntary extensions and answer accordingly. If extensions are allowed, choose “Yes”, then provide the number of extensions allowed, and the number of months remaining on the contract if extensions were to be used. If extensions are not allowed, choose “No”. ④ Click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 52 [Step by Step for Contracted Services] ⑤ Determine if this FRN is covered under a master contract and answer accordingly. ⑥ Determine if this FRN is a continuation of an FRN from a previous year. If the request is a continuation, choose “Yes”, then provide last year’s FRN and click on “Next” to continue. If it is not a continuation, choose “No” and click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 53 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ⑧ - Narrative Provide a description of the service you are requesting and any other information you think USAC would find important. Click on “Next” to continue. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 54 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ⑨ - Pricing Confidentiality Determine if there is a statute, rule, or other restriction that prohibits pricing transparency and answer accordingly. If there is, choose “Yes”, then provide the type of restriction and the citation, and click on “Next” to continue. Otherwise, click on “No” and then click on “Next” to continue. Words of Caution: There must be an actual statute in place. It is not sufficient for the vendor to simply state that their pricing is confidential. When in doubt, click on “No”! FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 55 [Funding Requests Step by Step] Step ⑩ - Verification of Creation of the FRN Your funding request is now created. Each Funding Request must include an Item 21 description of the products and services. To provide Item 21 information now, click on “Enter Products & Services” or Choose “Return to FRN Main Page” FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 56 Item 21 Now that the Funding Request has been created, you will need to enter the products and services being requested in an Item 21. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 57 Funding Requests and the Item 21 If you chose “Return to FRN Main Page”, click on “Item 21” as shown in the screen below to begin Note: The “!” and the “Waiting for data” label show that info is needed FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 58 Funding Requests and the Item 21 Item 21 Guidelines: For each product or service sought, use a separate line item to describe the products or services. If you have several of the same product or service but they are delivered at different speeds, use a separate line item for each. The system will automatically assign an FRN line item number to track the specific request. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 59 Funding Requests and the Item 21 To add line items, you can either: A import line items (products and services) using an Excel template or B enter line items directly into the online form interface Click on “Upload” if you are using a template A B Click on “Add line item” to add items directly Note: The use of templates is completely optional. You may find itFY2015 easier to enter the information directly into the form. FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 60 [Uploading Line Items] Upload Screen: A ① If uploading a template, browse to the file and click on “Upload” FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 61 [Manually Adding Line Items] Line Item Screen: B ① Complete the fields, and click on “Save” to add the line item Fields Monthly Recurring Eligible Cost: Enter the total monthly cost for this service. If the cost of service fluctuates from month to month, use the average of past bills to estimate the monthly cost. Monthly Recurring Ineligible Cost: Enter the total cost associated with ANY ineligible services, entities, or uses included in your monthly charges. One-time Eligible Cost: Enter one-time or non-recurring costs for the product or service. For example, installation charges for eligible services and equipment are eligible. One-time Ineligible Cost: Enter the total cost associated with ANY ineligible services, entities, or uses included in your one-time charges. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 62 Line Item Screen (example): [Manually Adding Line Items] “Purpose” field: Select “Internet”, “Transport”, or “Transport and Internet” as follows. • “Internet” = A connection from a building or aggregation point to an Internet service provider, or a direct Internet access connection to a single school or library not on a WAN. • “Transport” = Dedicated data connections between eligible school or library buildings (e.g. a WAN). Note: This should not include your direct Internet access circuit - direct Internet connections should be listed separately as "Internet“. • “Transport and Internet ” = A bundled service providing both the connection to an Internet service provider from a building or aggregation point as well as the data connections between multiple school or library buildings. Note: Do not select this category if your invoice itemizes Internet access and Transport (WAN) separately. Instead, enter each of those services as separate line items and select either "Internet" or "Transport" as appropriate. A last mile connection is defined as the connection to an individual school or library building, such as a WAN connection or a direct Internet connection not on a WAN. Note: Last mile should not include the Internet circuit to a district hub. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 63 [Working with Line Items] Click on the pencil icon to edit a line item Click on the “x” icon to delete a line item FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 64 Managing Recipients FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 65 [Managing Recipients] ① Click on “Manage Recipients” to choose which entities are receiving the particular service FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 66 [Managing Recipients] ② If not all entities are receiving the service, select “No”. To add an entity, click on the entity name to move it to the “Entities for this Funding Request” list. If you mistakenly added an entity, click on its name in the “Entities for this Funding Request” list to move it back to the “All Entities” list. Click on “Close” to close the window. Note: If you choose “Yes”, the screen will collapse, and all the entities will be added. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 67 [Managing Recipients] ④ Click on the “pencil” icon to edit the entity and enter the requested data. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 ③ Depending on the type of service, you may need to enter additional information, for example the number of lines. This graphic will tell you how many items need further information. Slide 68 [Managing Recipients] ⑤ Enter the requested data and click on “Save” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 69 [Managing Recipients] ⑥ If complete, click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 70 [Completing the Funding Request] Choose a method below to continue adding funding requests or click on “Next” to continue FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 71 Form 471 Section Four: Certifications and Signature Finally, you will certify and submit the application. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 72 Certifications and Signature When finished adding Funding Requests, click on “Next” to complete certifications and submit the application, or click on “Certify & Submit Your Application” in the blue box FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 73 Certifications and Signature ① Check these ③ DO NOT CHECK THIS ONE !!! ② Add the budget amount FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 74 ④ Check all these certifications Certifications and Signature FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 75 Certifications and Signature ⑤ Choose “Yes” to have the application copy the application contact if they are also the person authorizing the form or “No” to enter contact information for the authorized person FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 76 Certifications and Signature ① Click here to review the application. Review it carefully!!! ② Click here to submit the application. There is no going back from this point. ③ Choose a certification method. Your application is not final until you certify it!!! • If you do not have a PIN, choose “Display and Print”, then print a copy of the certification page and mail it to USAC before the window closes. USAC will mail you a PIN that you can use on all future E-Rate applications. • If you do have a PIN, click on “Certify Online”, then enter your PIN and click on "Done“ to certify the application. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 77 Revisiting Forms FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 78 Revisiting Forms From the “Apply Online” screen, you can also revisit forms using the Application Number and Security Code from a saved application Click here to continue an incomplete application Click here to certify an application that has been submitted but has not yet been certified Click here to view an application that has been either submitted or certified FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 79 Wrapping Up FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 80 What happens after I submit the form? Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) will review your application after it is submitted. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 81 What happens during review? • Reviewers verify the eligibility of the schools and libraries and their discount levels. • Reviewers verify that the services requested are eligible for E-Rate discounts. • You are given an opportunity to make allowable corrections to your form. • Reviewers communicate with you with requests for additional documentation. • Reviewers may ask for additional verification of your compliance with program rules. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 82 What do I do during a PIA Review? • Have documentation ready • Respond to inquiries and provide information promptly, by the deadline (usually 15 days) • Ask for clarification if you are unsure what is needed • Ask early for an extension if you need it • Put responses in writing • Document all responses FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 83 What happens after the review? After the review is completed, USAC makes a funding decision on your application and issues a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL). FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 84 What is the FCDL? The Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) is a letter issued by USAC to both the applicant and the service provider that contains decisions on their funding requests. The letter states which funding requests of the Form 471 are approved or denied. Applicants and service providers should carefully review their FCDL for details on approved or denied requests and any adjustments made to the original requests, as well as next steps (such as the deadline for filing an appeal). FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 85 What do I save for my files? Save all records for at least 10 years from the last date of service • • • • • • • • Copies of mechanisms used to gather NSLP data A copy of the completed Form 471 A copy of the Form 471 certification page Copies of Item 21 spreadsheets or any other mechanisms used to calculate costs FCC Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgement Letter A copy of all correspondence with reviewers A copy of all documentation submitted during PIA review Funding Commitment Decision Letter FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 86 Acknowledgments Special thanks to Lorrie Germann for creating most of the screenshots, and as always, gratitude galore to the rest of the SECA brain trust. FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 87 Networkmaine Networkmaine 1-888-367-6756 University of Maine 5752 Neville Hall Rm 244 Orono, ME 04469 Anne Perloff State E-Rate Coordinator (207) 561-3584 [email protected] FY2015 FCC Form 471 – Category 1 Slide 88
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