FCDL Comment:
DR1: USAC received information showing that a potential bidder or bidders for your cellular services contacted you within the 28 day bidding window about your cellular requirements and in response you indicated that you were happy with the cellular services you were receiving and were not looking to make any changes. Since you posted FCC Form 470 # 204820000950733, which included a request for cellular services, you are obligated to receive and assess all bids and to provide potential service providers with requested information so that they may provide responsive bids. Failure to do so hinders an open and fair competitive bidding process. Notifying potential cellular service bidders within the 28 day bidding window that you were not looking to make any changes and not providing the requested information they sought, discouraged providers from submitting a bid. The competitive bidding process is not fair and open, as required by FCC Rules, when you discourage potential bidders from submitting a bid in response to the services requested on the FCC Form 470. The documentation provided shows a decision to remain with your incumbent cellular service providers was made prior to the Allowable Contract Date, which is 28 days after the posting of the FCC Form 470 to the USAC website. Program rules require applicants to wait at least 28 days after posting the FCC Form 470 before selecting a service provider. Therefore, the applicant has violated the competitive bidding program rules and the FRN is denied.