The SLD denied funding to 12 Louisiana school districts for the 2002 funding year because the "applicant did not comply with state procurement law". In a February 3rd, 2006 appeal decision the FCC ruled that, in fact, these applicants did comply with Louisiana regulations and the Attorney General of Louisiana even filed a letter on the schools' behalf arguing that the state competitive bidding regulations had been followed.
This case should serve as a good reminder that during the competitive bidding process, applicants must not only follow the FCC's E-rate rules and regulations but also follow their own state and local procurement regulations. Further competitive bidding guidance can be found at https://www.usac.org/e-rate/applicant-process/competitive-bidding/.
Further details of this FCC appeal can be found at http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-06-287A1.doc
