Federal Communications Commission DA 21-1318 DA 21-1318 Released: October 20, 2021 WIRELINE COMPETITION BUREAU ANNOUNCES PUBLICATION OF THE SECURE AND TRUSTED COMMUNICATIONS NETWORKS REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FCC FORM 5640 USER GUIDE WC Docket No. 18-89 By this Public Notice, the Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces the availability of a FCC Form 5640 Application Request for Funding Allocation User Guide (FCC Form 5640 User Guide) for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program (Reimbursement Program). The FCC Form 5640 User Guide, as well as other important documents related to the Reimbursement Program, are available at https://www.fcc.gov/supplychain (the Supply Chain webpage). The FCC Form 5640 User Guide provides step-by-step instructions for navigating the online filing portal and completing the FCC Form 5640 Application Request for Funding Allocation. Subsequent iterations of the FCC Form 5640 User Guide will include instructions for completing additional filings related to the Reimbursement Program. Separately, the Bureau has made available on the Supply Chain Webpage, the Excel batch upload templates to assist applicants with completing the location and equipment portions of the FCC Form 5640 Application Request for Funding Allocation. The Bureau is in the process of updating the Excel batch upload template for the equipment section of the application to remove the Location ID field so users of the existing template will need to transfer information to the latest version of the template before uploading the file into their application. Finally, the Bureau has also published an updated version of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to reflect additional questions received. As directed by the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 (Secure Networks Act), as amended, the Federal Communications Commission established the $1.9 billion Reimbursement Program to reimburse providers of advanced communications services with ten million or fewer customers for costs incurred in the removal, replacement, and disposal of covered communications equipment or services from their networks that pose a national security risk. Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, Pub. L. No. 116-124, § 4(a)-(c), 134 Stat. 158 (2020) (codified as amended at 47 U.S.C. §§ 1601–1609) (Secure Networks Act). The Commission implemented the Secure Networks Act on December 10, 2020. Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC Docket No. 18-89, Second Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 7821 (2020). On July 13, 2021, the Commission amended its rules, consistent with amendments to the Secure Networks Act included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through FCC Programs, WC Docket No. 18-89, Third Report and Order, FCC 21-86, 2021 WL 3024271, at 49-51, Appx. A (Jul. 13, 2021) (2021 Supply Chain Order). Covered communications equipment or services eligible for Reimbursement Program support is limited to the communications equipment or services produced or provided by Huawei Technologies Company (Huawei) or ZTE Corporation (ZTE), that were obtained by providers on or before June 30, 2020. 2021 Supply Chain Order, 2021 WL 3024271, at 49-51, Appx. A. On September 27, 2021, the Bureau announced that the filing window to file applications to participate in the Reimbursement Program will open on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 12:00 AM ET and close on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:59 PM ET. See Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Application Filing Window for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program – Filing Window Opens October 29, 2021, DA 21-1207 (WCB rel. Sept. 27, 2021). To participate, eligible providers must file an FCC Form 5640 Application Request for Funding Allocation, 47 CFR § 1.50004(c). using the Bureau’s dedicated online application filing portal, which will be made available via the Supply Chain Webpage once the filing window opens on October 29, 2021. Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Application Filing Window for the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program – Filing Window Opens October 29, 2021, WC Docket No. 18-89, Public Notice, DA 21-1207, 2021 WL 4500409 at *1 (WCB Sept. 27, 2021). We encourage applicants to regularly consult the Supply Chain Webpage for updates related to the Reimbursement Program. Interested parties should also review the Finalized Reimbursement Process Public Notice for additional information about the Reimbursement Program application and filing process. See generally Finalized Reimbursement Process Public Notice. Questions specific to the Reimbursement Program or application process should be directed to the Reimbursement Program Fund Administrator at SCRPFundAdmin@fcc.gov or at (202) 418-7540. For further information regarding this Public Notice, please contact supplychain@fcc.gov. - FCC - 2