Federal Communications Commission Washington, DC 20554 May 12, 2026 DA 26-462 SMALL ENTITY COMPLIANCE GUIDE Modernizing Suspension and Debarment Rules FCC 26-18 GN Docket No. 19-309 Released March 27, 2026 In accordance with Section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, this Small Entity Compliance Guide (Guide) is intended to help small entities—small businesses, small organizations (non-profits), and small governmental jurisdictions—comply with the rules adopted in the above-referenced Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) rulemaking dockets. This Guide is not intended to replace or supersede these rules, but to facilitate compliance with the rules. Although we have attempted to cover all parts of the rules that might be especially important to small entities, the coverage may not be exhaustive. This Guide cannot anticipate all situations in which the rules apply. Furthermore, the Commission retains the discretion to adopt case-by-case approaches, where appropriate, that may differ from this Guide. Any decision regarding a particular small entity will be based on the statute and any relevant rules. In any civil or administrative action against a small entity for a violation of rules, the content of the Guide may be considered as evidence of the reasonableness or appropriateness of proposed fines, penalties or damages. Interested parties are free to file comments regarding this Guide in the above referenced docket and the appropriateness of its application to a particular situation. The Commission will then consider whether the recommendations or interpretations in the Guide are appropriate in that situation. The Commission may decide to revise this Guide without public notice to reflect changes in its approach to implementing a rule, or it may clarify or update the text of the Guide. Please direct comments and recommendations, or requests for further assistance, to the FCC’s Consumer Center: 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) Videophone: 1-844-4-FCC-ASL (1-844-432-2275) Fax: 1-866-418-0232 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROCEEDING 1 II. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS 2 A. To whom do the suspension and debarment rules apply? 2 B. What policies and procedures must small entities follow? 4 C. What are the steps in the suspension and debarment processes? 4 D. What are the steps in the limited denial of participation processes? 6 E. How do the rules affect how I conduct business with other persons? 7 III. RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 8 IV. IMPLEMENTATION DATE 11 V. INTERNET LINKS 11 I. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROCEEDING The Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) administers several congressionally-mandated programs, such as the Universal Service Fund (USF) and the Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) program, that provide significant funding to close the digital divide and ensure that all Americans have access to communications services. In administering these important programs, it is incumbent upon the Commission to be a good steward of these funds, which are ultimately paid for by the American people. We must ensure that these limited dollars serve their intended purposes. Waste, fraud, and abuse frustrate the Commission’s goals and undermines public trust in these programs. Bad actors who would seek to enrich themselves by siphoning these critical resources away from connecting rural households and businesses, schools and libraries, rural healthcare providers, low-income households, and people with disabilities have no place in these programs. Thus, in the Modernizing Suspension and Debarment, Report and Order (Report and Order), the Commission adopted additional, critical tools which will allow us to promptly and efficiently take action to exclude or otherwise limit bad actors’ participation in these programs. Modernizing Suspension and Debarment, GN Docket No. 19-309, Report and Order, Direct Final Rule, Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 26-18 (rel. Mar. 27, 2026). These changes, which received widespread support, align FCC processes with other agencies, incorporate current fraud prevention best practices, and, ultimately, distribute funds more responsibly. The Office of Management and Budget’s Guidelines for Nonprocurement Debarment and Suspension (Guidelines) establish a common framework for a governmentwide debarment and suspension system for nonprocurement programs, which the Commission adopts with some modifications. The Guidelines generally provide for suspension or debarment based on a range of misconduct. This range includes not only convictions of or civil judgments for fraud or certain criminal offenses, but also violations of the requirements of public transactions and violations of Commission rules or regulations, as well as any other cause that is so serious or compelling in nature that it affects the person’s present responsibility. Suspensions under the Guidelines have prospective but immediate effect, and debarments are effective following a 30-day opportunity for a party to respond to a debarment notice and the issuance of a final debarment order. Once effective, an action to suspend or debar serves to automatically exclude the suspended or debarred party from new covered transactions governmentwide, whether in procurement or nonprocurement programs or activities. Under the Guidelines, suspension and debarment are not punitive actions, and are separate from civil enforcement actions (including those pursued under the Communications Act) and criminal prosecutions. They are also separate from any administrative procedures that may be used to recover debt. Instead, exclusion is an administrative action taken to protect the Government’s business interests on a prospective basis. Federal agencies, through their Suspending and Debarring Officials (SDO), must use balance and judgment in determining whether suspension or debarment is appropriate in a particular matter, including when an exclusion proceeding occurs as a result of, or at the same time as, other criminal, civil, or administrative proceedings. In this respect, the Commission’s modernized suspension and debarment rules can enhance the remedies or tools that the agency might use to address misconduct and protect the agency’s programs and federal funds from bad actors. Safeguarding against waste, fraud, and abuse benefits not just the government and the American public but also the beneficiaries—including small entities—that participate in the Commission’s programs. II. COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS The FCC strongly encourages small entities to refer to the definitions in the rules. 2 CFR part 180, subpart 1, and 2 CFR § 6001.100. For example, for purposes of the rules, “person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, association, unit of government, or legal entity, regardless of how organized. 2 CFR §§ 180.985 (defining person), 6001.105 (incorporating Guidelines except as modified by supplemental rules). A. To whom do the suspension and debarment rules apply? The suspension and debarment rules apply to any participant or principal in the Universal Service Fund programs (including High-Cost, Lifeline, Rural Health Care, E-Rate, the Cybersecurity Pilot Program), the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) programs, the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP), the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), and the ACP Outreach Grant Program. Participants generally include the program beneficiaries (i.e., schools, libraries, rural health care facilities), service providers, and other persons—including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, marketing organizations, or agents or representatives—involved in the implementation of these programs. Principals generally include officers, directors, or others with management or supervisory responsibilities, as well as consultants or others that are in a position to handle federal funds, influence their use, or who may substantially influence the outcome of a transaction in these programs. The suspension and debarment rules categorize participants as either primary tier participants or lower tier participants. All participants are potentially subject to suspension and debarment. The scope of a participant’s required disclosures, however, is dependent on the participant’s placement in a particular tier. The following chart details the primary tier and lower tier participants for each program. Primary Tier Participants Lower Tier Participants High-Cost Service Providers Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants or their agents or representatives for High-Cost-supported transactions, if: (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. Lifeline Service Providers Any participant in the Lifeline program (except for the primary tier carrier), regardless of tier or dollar value, including but not limited to those that are reimbursed based on the number of Lifeline subscribers enrolled. Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, or their agents or representatives and Lifeline marketing organizations for Lifeline-supported transactions, or their agents or representatives, if (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. E-Rate Schools and Libraries FCC Form 471 Service Providers Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, or their agents or representatives for E-Rate-supported transactions, if (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. RHC Health Care Providers FCC Form 462/466 Service Providers Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, or their agents or representatives for RHC-supported transactions, if (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) if such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. TRS NDBEDP Service Providers Certified Programs Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers with whom the certified programs have a contractual relationship, consultants, or their agents or representatives for TRS- or NDBEDP-supported transactions, if: (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. ACP Service Providers Any participant in the ACP (except for the primary tier service provider), regardless of tier or dollar value, including but not limited to those reimbursed based on the number of ACP subscribers enrolled. Contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, or their agents or representatives and any ACP Marketing Organizations for ACP-supported transactions, or their agents or representatives, if (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. ACP Outreach Grant Program Recipients of ACP Outreach grants Subrecipients, contractors or subcontractors of the grant recipients, or their agents or representatives, if (1) such person has a material role relating to, or significantly affecting, claims for disbursements related to the program; (2) such person is considered a “principal;” or (3) the amount of the transaction is expected to be at least $25,000. The suspension and debarment rules cover transactions between the primary tier participant and the Commission; between the primary tier participant and the program administrator (e.g., USAC for USF programs; Rolka Loube for TRS; and CGB for NDBEDP); between two primary tier participants; and between a primary tier participant and a participant at a lower tier. B. What policies and procedures must small entities follow? The Report and Order generally adopts the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidelines unless modified by the Commission’s supplemental rules (codified in 2 CFR part 6001). Small entities should familiarize themselves with all the requirements set out in the Guidelines (2 CFR part 180). The following descriptions only describe the Commission’s supplemental suspension and debarment rules. (Note: Any recordkeeping or reporting requirements in the Commission’s supplemental suspension and debarment rules are described in Part III below.) C. What are the steps in the suspension and debarment processes? The following rules only apply if the Commission has initiated a suspension or debarment proceeding against the person (including any small entity) (e.g., sending out a notice of suspension or a notice of proposed debarment). As a reminder, a suspension is a limited ineligibility to participate in transactions. A debarment is a longer exclusion from covered transactions after the SDO concludes that the person engaged in conduct that warrants debarment and is not presently responsible to conduct business with the government. Persons that are suspended or debarred may not be a participant in any covered transactions governmentwide and may not act as a principal of an entity participating in one of those covered transactions. Note: Persons that are suspended or debarred from nonprocurement transactions are also ineligible for Federal procurement transactions under the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The causes for suspension and debarment are listed in 2 CFR § 180.800 and 2 CFR § 6001.450(a) and include convictions of or civil judgments for fraud and certain offenses that indicate a lack of business integrity, violations of the terms of public agreements or transactions so serious as to affect the integrity of a Federal program, and any other cause that is so serious or compelling in nature that it affects the entity’s present responsibility. In determining whether to impose a suspension or debarment, the SDO may also consider aggravating or mitigating factors including those listed in 2 CFR § 180.860 and 2 CFR § 6001.450(c). Small entities should familiarize themselves with these causes and factors. Note: Conduct may be imputed from an individual to an organization, from an organization to an individual, between individuals, or between organizations. · How do small entities contest the suspension (summary of 2 CFR part 180, subpart G)? After receiving a notice of suspension from the SDO, small entities may contest the suspension by providing the SDO with information in opposition of the suspension. Entities must contest the suspension within 30 days after the notice of suspension was received. Specifically, entities should identify specific facts that contradict the notice of suspension and provide the SDO with any other exclusions or similar actions taken by government agencies, all criminal and civil proceedings related to the alleged misconduct, and a list of all affiliates. This may be done orally or in writing by either the entity itself or its representative. In most cases, the suspension proceedings are flexible, and the SDO is not required to follow formal rules of evidence or procedure when creating the record. · How do small entities contest the debarment (summary of 2 CFR part 180, subpart H)? After receiving a notice of proposed debarment from the SDO, small entities may contest the debarment by providing the SDO with information in opposition of the proposed debarment. Entities must contest the proposed debarment within 30 days after the notice of proposed debarment is received. As with suspensions, entities should identify specific facts that contradict the notice of proposed debarment and provide the SDO with any other exclusions or similar actions taken by government agencies, all criminal and civil proceedings related to the alleged misconduct, and a list of all affiliates. This may be done orally or in writing by either the entity itself or its representative. In most cases, the suspension proceedings are flexible and the SDO is not required to follow formal rules of evidence or procedure when creating the record. In debarment proceedings, the Commission has the burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a cause for debarment exists; the small entity then has the burden to demonstrate to the SDO that they are presently responsible to conduct business with the federal government and debarment is not necessary. · How do small entities receive an exception from a suspension or debarment? (2 CFR § 6001.125)? Small entities may ask the SDO to grant an exception to the suspension or debarment to allow the small entity to continue participating in the covered transactions. The decision to grant an exception is reserved for the SDO. If the SDO grants an exception, the small entity may also be subject to additional conditions, such as mandatory audits, additional reporting requirements, compliance agreements, monitoring, or other forms of oversight. An exception granted by the Commission’s SDO only allows small entities to continue to participate in FCC programs; the exception does not extend to covered transactions at another agency. Note: Lifeline and ACP marketing organizations and enrollment representatives are not eligible for exceptions. · How do small entities seek review of a suspension or debarment (2 CFR § 6001.130)? Small entities may request the SDO reconsider a final suspension decision, a debarment decision, or an exception decision by filing a petition for reconsideration consistent with the requirements described in 47 CFR § 1.106. In most cases, the SDO will issue a written decision within 45 days of receiving the petition. Small entities may also request full Commission review of a final suspension decision, a debarment decision, or an exception decision by filing an application for review consistent with the requirements described in 47 CFR § 1.115. In most cases, the Commission will attempt to issue a written decision within 180 days of receiving the petition. Additionally, small entities may seek a stay of a final suspension decision or a final debarment decision by filing a petition for stay consistent with the requirements described in 47 CFR § 1.102(b). · What must small entities do after being suspended or debarred? Small entities that have been suspended or debarred must cease operations in the covered programs immediately. If necessary, a suspended or debarred entity may request the SDO provide a transition or continuation period in order for customers of the suspended or debarred entity to secure services from alternative providers. Note: Marketing organizations, enrollment representatives and consultants must cease operations immediately and are not eligible for transition or continuation periods. If the SDO has granted a small entity a transition or continuation period, the small entity provider must provide notices to affected customers that they have been suspended or debarred, the date that they will be ceasing operations, a statement that users should obtain service from another provider, and a listing of names and contact information for other authorized providers. Any suspended or debarred small entity must continue to provide service to program participants consistent with the Commission’s rules and their contractual obligations for the duration of any transition or continuation period. (2 CFR § 6001.310). · What must small entities do after the period for suspension or debarment is over (2 CFR § 6001.460)? Suspensions last for twelve months (but can be extended by the SDO for a total of eighteen months) and debarments typically last for three years. In most cases, suspended or debarred entities may immediately resume participation in covered transactions following the conclusion of their suspension or debarment. However, in some circumstances where the SDO has determined the conduct was sufficiently egregious, the SDO may require the debarred entity to petition for readmission into the Commission’s programs. D. What are the steps in the limited denial of participation processes? The following rules only apply if the Commission has initiated a limited denial of participation (LDP) proceeding against the small entity (e.g., sending out a notice of limited denial of participation). As a reminder, a limited denial of participation is an FCC-specific remedy that excludes a person from participating in a specific FCC program or programs for a shorter period of time. · How do small entities contest the limited denial of participation (2 CFR § 6001.1113)? After receiving a notice of proposed LDP from the SDO, small entities may contest the LDP by either requesting a conference with the SDO or providing the SDO with information in opposition to the LDP. Entities must request a conference with the SDO within 15 days after the notice of proposed LDP is received and must provide additional information within 30 days after the notice of proposed LDP is received. The LDP proceedings are flexible and the SDO is not required to follow formal rules of evidence or procedure when creating the record. · What must small entities do after being issued a limited denial of participation (2 CFR § 6001.1115)? After an LDP is imposed, the small entity subject to the LDP must cease participation in the relevant FCC programs. As with suspensions and debarments, LDPs may also be subject to continuations and transitions periods as necessary. E. How do the rules affect how I conduct business with other persons? The following rules apply to all small entities that are participating in the covered programs. · What must small entities do before entering into a covered transaction with another person (2 CFR § 6001.300)? Small entities are responsible for determining whether they are entering into covered transactions with persons that are responsible with federal funds. This requirement applies to both covered transactions with someone at the next lower tier or with another person in the same tier. Specifically, the small entity must verify that the person with whom they intend to do business is not excluded or disqualified. Small entities may do this by checking the SAM.gov Exclusions and FCC Exclusions list, by collecting certifications from the person, or by adding a clause or condition to the contract regarding the business conducted with that person. · What must small entities do if someone whom they are doing business with is suspended or debarred (2 CFR § 6001.310)? If a small entity is in a covered transaction with a person who has been suspended or debarred by either the Commission or another agency, the small entity must transition to an alternate provider, or must discontinue use of the excluded person for covered transactions within the time period required by the SDO. In some circumstances where there are limited alternative providers, the SDO may determine that a brief period for transitions or continuations is appropriate and will specify in their suspension and debarment orders the time period for any transition or continuation. However, even if continuations or transition periods are permitted, the small entity is not required to continue the transaction and may consider termination, subject to compliance with all applicable Commission rules. III. RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The Report and Order contains several new information collection requirements including recordkeeping and reporting provisions related to the suspension and debarment rules. As mentioned above, the suspension and debarment rules categorize participants as either primary tier participants or lower tier participants. The scope of a participant’s required disclosures, however, is dependent on the participant’s placement in a particular tier. Small entities should refer to the regulations at 2 CFR § 6001.200, 2 CFR § 6001.210, and 2 CFR § 6001.220 (as summarized in the chart above) to determine which tier of participants they are in. What policies and procedures must small entities follow? Preliminarily, the Report and Order adopts the Office of Management and Budget’s Guidelines unless modified by the Commission’s supplemental rules (codified in 2 CFR part 6001). Small entities should familiarize themselves with all the requirements set out in the Guidelines (2 CFR part 180) and the Commission’s supplemental rules (2 CFR part 6001, 47 CFR § 54.8, 47 CFR § 54.320, 47 CFR § 54.322, 47 CFR § 54.1015, 47 CFR § 54.1800, 47 CFR § 54.1801, 47 CFR § 54.1905, 47 CFR § 64.604, 47 CFR § 64.6207, and 47 CFR § 64.6215). The following descriptions primarily describe the Commission’s supplemental suspension and debarment reporting rules. · What reporting must small entities make after being suspended or debarred by the Commission or another agency (2 CFR § 6001.120)? Within ten days after being suspended or debarred by the Commission, the small entity must register with the Systems for Award Management (SAM.gov), the federal governments source of the most current information about persons who are suspended or debarred. Additional information about the use of SAM.gov for suspension and debarment reporting is available in 2 CFR part 180, subpart E; information about registering for and using SAM.gov is available through the General Services Administration. Additionally, any small entity that participates in the covered programs and is suspended or debarred by another agency must notify the Commission within ten days of being suspended or debarred. Finally, any small entity that participates in the covered programs and is currently suspended or debarred by another agency must notify the Commission within 30 days of the effective date of these rules. As described below, notifications must be made to the Commission and the program administrator. · What must small entities do to pass the reporting requirements along to participants with whom they intended to do business (2 CFR § 6001.330)? Before entering into a covered transaction with another participant, small entities must require the participant to comply with these reporting requirements as a condition of their participation by either collecting a certification or including a term or condition in the transaction. · What disclosures must small entities make under the Guidelines (2 CFR part 180, subpart C)? All primary and lower tier participants must disclose certain information to any other participants with whom they are doing or seek to do business, the program administrators, and the Commission. Specifically, participants must disclose whether the entity itself or any of the principals for the transaction: (1) are presently suspended or debarred; (2) have been convicted of or had a civil judgment rendered within the preceding three years for any offenses listed in 2 CFR § 180.800(a) (causes for debarment); (3) are presently indicted or charged by a government entity for any of the offenses listed in 2 CFR § 180.800(a); or (4) have had one or more public transactions terminated within the past three years for cause or default. These disclosures must be made under the penalty of perjury and if no disclosures are made, the small entity must certify under penalty of perjury that none are required. Failure to disclose this information may result in the agency terminating the covered transaction and pursuing any other remedies, including suspension or debarment. Additionally, if small entities learn that they have failed to disclose information or due to changed circumstances now meet the criteria for disclosure, the small entity must immediately provide written notice to the Commission. · How will small entities make these disclosures (2 CFR § 6001.335)? The form of the required disclosures vary depending on the type of disclosure. The Wireline Competition Bureau (in coordination with the Office of the Managing Director and the Office of General Counsel) will update any pertinent forms or information collections to facilitate these disclosures for the USF and ACP programs. Likewise, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (in coordination with the Office of the Managing Director and the Office of General Counsel) will update any pertinent forms or information collections to facilitate these disclosures for TRS and NDBEDP. Any changes to these forms will be announced at a later date. Additionally, there are program-specific disclosure rules, as described below, with which small entities should be familiar. Lifeline – Primary and lower tier participants must file annual disclosure statements reporting all required disclosures or certifying they have no reportable disclosures to make. Primary tier participants may file on behalf of lower tier participants with whom they have a direct relationship. Lifeline or ACP Marketing Organizations – Enrollment representatives are only required to disclose whether they are presently suspended or debarred to the marketing organizations with whom they are employed or seek employment. Marketing organizations must retain these disclosures for review by the Commission upon request. ACP Outreach Grant Program – Primary and lower tier participants must file annual disclosure statements reporting all required disclosures or certifying they have no reportable disclosures to make. Lower tier participants only need to file their disclosures with the participant for whom they preform work. The primary tier participants then must file on behalf of all lower tier participants with which they have a relationship. The participants must retain these certifications for review by the Commission upon request. High-Cost Competitive Bidding Requirements – At the short-form stage of the competitive bidding process, the applicants must only disclose whether the applicant is presently suspended or debarred. Winning bidders will be required to make the full disclosures when they submit the long-form application. E-Rate, Cybersecurity Pilot Program, and Rural Health Care – Service providers must also make disclosures to schools, libraries, and healthcare providers (or consortia of eligible schools, libraries, and healthcare providers) with whom the service providers intend to do business. If service providers fail to make the required disclosures, schools, libraries and rural healthcare providers may refuse to enter a transaction or to terminate the transaction for failure to comply with this requirement, or to pursue any other available remedies. · Are there any other disclosure obligations for small entities to follow (2 CFR § 6001.335)? In addition to any forms or certifications announced by either WCB or CGB, the required disclosures described in 2 CFR § 6001.120 and 2 CFR part 180, subpart C must be submitted to the following addresses: o USF Programs, ACP, and ACP Outreach Grant Program § To the Commission via email at USFDisclosures@fcc.gov or via mail to the Federal Communications Commission, Telecommunications Access Policy Division, Wireline Competition Bureau (for USF or ACP disclosures), or to the Federal Communications Commission, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau (for ACP Outreach Grant Program disclosures) at the Commission’s address specified in 47 CFR § 0.401(a). § To the USF Administrator via email to USFDisclosures@usac.org or via mail to Universal Service Administrative Company, 700 12th Street, NW, Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005. o TRS program § To the Commission regarding the TRS program shall be submitted via email to TRSreports@fcc.gov or via mail to the Federal Communications Commission, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, at the Commission’s address specified in 47 CFR § 0.401(a). § To the TRS Fund Administrator shall be submitted via email to the email address of the TRS Fund Administrator at such email address as is specified on the TRS website located on the website of the Disability Rights Office of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau. o NDBEDP § To the NDBEDP Administrator shall be submitted via email to NDBEDP reports@fcc.gov or via mail to NDBEDP Administrator, Federal Communications Commission, Disability Rights Office, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at the Commission’s address specified in 47 CFR § 0.401(a). · How might the Commission require small entities to certify compliance (2 CFR § 6001.435)? The Commission may require as a condition of participation in the FCC’s programs that participants comply with the disclosure rules and communicate the requirements of the disclosure rules to those with whom they do business. To facilitate this requirement, the Commission may require small entities to certify their compliance with these rules at the time of application for approval of the covered transaction or upon submission of an invoice for payment. For example, TRS participants will be required to indicate they are familiar with the reporting requirements when submitting a certification to receive funding (47 CFR § 64.6207(c)(8)) and will be required to submit a statement updating the required disclosures every twelve months as part of its annual reporting requirements (47 CFR § 64.6215). Any particular certification requirements for other programs will be detailed at a further date. IV. IMPLEMENTATION DATE The amendment of 47 CFR § 54.8 is effective May 11, 2026. All other amendments contain information collection requirements that are not effective until approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The Commission will publish a document announcing the effective date for those actions. V. INTERNET LINKS A copy of the Modernizing Suspension and Debarment Rules Report and Order is available at: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-26-18A1.pdf. A copy of the Federal Register Summary of the Report and Order is available at: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-04-09/pdf/2026-06864.pdf. The Office of Management and Budget Guidelines to Agencies on Governmentwide Debarment and Suspension (Nonprocurement), commonly known as the Guidelines, are codified in 2 CFR part 180 and are reproduced at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180. Small entities may register for SAM.gov at: https://sam.gov/entity-registration. 2