Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 165 - Corporation Commission › Chapter 59 - Oklahoma Universal Service and Oklahoma Lifeline › Subchapter 3 - Oklahoma Universal Service Fund › Part 9 - REQUEST FOR OUSF FUNDING › Section 165:59-3-70 - Procedures for requesting funding from the OUSF - Primary Universal Service

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
(a) An eligible
				  local exchange telecommunications service provider may seek and obtain funds
				  from the OUSF for Primary Universal Service by filing a "Request for OUSF
				  Funding" and "Notice of Request for OUSF Funding" with the Commission's Court
				  Clerk. On the date of filing the Request for OUSF Funding, the eligible local
				  exchange telecommunications service provider shall deliver a filed copy of the
				  Request for OUSF Funding to the OUSF Administrator for processing.
(b) Unless a waiver is granted by the OUSF
				  Administrator, the following minimum filing requirements are necessary for
				  cases filed pursuant to 17 O.S. § 139.106(G), and must be made available
				  at the time of filing:
(1) The name and
				  address of the eligible local exchange telecommunications service
				  provider;
(2) A description of the
				  provisions of the Oklahoma Telecommunications Act relied on for the
				  request;
(3) The amount requested
				  for funding;
(4) A chart of
				  corporate organization listing all employees, and detailing any affiliate
				  relationships;
(5) A list of
				  affiliates, a description of the service(s) or goods provided to or by the
				  requesting eligible telecommunications service provider for each affiliate, and
				  the total expense charged to the requesting eligible local exchange
				  telecommunications service provider by each affiliate in sufficient detail to
				  demonstrate that any affiliate company utilizing employees or assets of the
				  company are allocated or reimbursed in accordance with
				  47 C.F.R,
				  32.27. This information shall be provided for
				  the reimbursement year and the previous three (3) years (4 total), and shall
				  include, but not be limited to, all contracts, memorandum, timesheets,
				  calculations, and studies;
(6) A
				  written description and documentation showing how costs are separated for each
				  regulated and non-regulated service that the requesting eligible local exchange
				  telecommunications service provider provides to, or receives from, any
				  affiliate that is associated with the Request for OUSF Funding. This
				  description must show compliance with the cost allocation standards and
				  procedures as set forth in 47 C.F.R. 64.901. This information
				  shall be provided for the reimbursement year and the previous three (3) years
				  (4 total), and shall include, but not be limited to, all contracts, memorandum,
				  timesheets, calculations, and studies;
(7) If applicable, copies of the eligible
				  local exchange telecommunications service provider's Cost Allocation Manual
				  (CAM), to include any changes to the CAM for the last three (3) years,
				  including documentation supporting the cost allocation procedures and a current
				  example of the application of the CAM's manual. If a CAM is unavailable,
				  similar documentation must be provided;
(8) The most recent three (3) years preceding
				  the request of audited financial statements, or if not subject to an audit,
				  then reviewed financial statements, (including balance sheet, income statement,
				  statement of cash flows accompanying notes, and any associated management
				  letter);
(9) A description of
				  network facilities, identifying all facilities included in the Request for OUSF
				  Funding, with actual documentation available upon request by the OUSF
				  Administrator;
(10) A description of
				  the cost and accounting methodologies used to support the Request for OUSF
				  Funding;
(11) A trial balance and
				  general ledger in Excel format, or other format as agreed to by the
				  Administrator;
(12) If applicable, a
				  fully distributed cost study based on the FCC's Part 32, 36 and 64; provide
				  plant reserve, rate base, income (revenue, expenses, and taxes), and other
				  schedules included in the filing made with NECA or the FCC; a schedule of
				  separations cost study for the reimbursement year. Underlying work-papers to be
				  available onsite;
(13) Copies of the
				  company's annual Federal Universal Service Fund (USF) High Cost Loop Data
				  Collection forms for the reimbursement year and the previous three (3) years (4
				  total);
(14) The total number of
				  full-time and part-time employees, officers, and/or contractors to include a
				  listing of each of the above positions that includes title, duties,
				  responsibilities, wages and/or salaries and benefits for the reimbursement year
				  and the previous three (3) years (4 total);
(15) A list of expenses sought, including any
				  prior period adjustments and/or contingent liabilities that were reported on
				  the eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider's books and
				  records and are part of this request, including but not limited to any:
(A) reimbursed employee business expense,
				  including travel, mileage, car rental, lodging, meals, etc.;
(B) lobbying;
(C) listing of all legal services and fees by
				  law firm;
(D) advertising
				  expenses;
(E) external relation
				  costs;
(F) community
				  outreach;
(G)
				  entertainment;
(H) food, including
				  travel, normal business, and company events;
(I) political contributions;
(J) charitable donations;
(K) penalties for fines or
				  violations;
(L) membership fees and
				  dues;
(M) gifts
(16) The Federal tax classification (C-Corp,
				  Sub-Chapter S, Partnership, etc.) of the eligible local exchange
				  telecommunications service provider, and copies of the eligible local exchange
				  telecommunications service provider's Federal and State tax returns for the
				  reimbursement year and the previous three (3) years (4 total);
(17) A Description of the time tracking and
				  reporting methods used by the eligible local exchange telecommunications
				  service provider to distribute payroll dollars between regulated and
				  non-regulated affiliates. Provide all supporting documentation for the
				  reimbursement year and the previous three (3) years (4 total);
(18) A list of plant in-service retirements
				  for the reimbursement year and the three (3) years prior to the reimbursement
				  year (4 total);
(19) A plant
				  in-service schedule by account that provides existing plant and additions, for
				  the reimbursement year and the three (3) years prior to the reimbursement year
				  (4 total);
(20) Listing by account
				  of all revenues, including aggregate customer revenues by category
				  (residential, business, wholesale, etc.), that were used to off-set the
				  eligible local exchange telecommunications service provider's OUSF funding
				  request. This should include any amount received from the Federal USF, OUSF,
				  and any other federal or state funding sources;
(21) The total number of customers by
				  category (residential, business, wholesale, etc.) for the reimbursement year
				  and the three (3) years prior to the reimbursement year (4 total);
(22) A copy of the eligible local exchange
				  telecommunications service provider's regulated Continuing Property Records
				  (CPR). If the CPRs do not tie to the general ledger, provide a reconciliation
				  of the differences; and
(23) A list
				  and copies of any audits or reviews to include letters, reports, memorandum,
				  etc. conducted by the National Exchange Carriers Association (NECA), USAC, or
				  FCC conducted during the reimbursement year and three (3) years prior to the
				  reimbursement year (4 total).