Home ยป Process Overview

Process Overview: for Participants

How Do I Begin?

Time is of the essence as this opportunity could cover 100% of your broadband installation charges and 85% of of your monthly recurring costs. Currently, the $20.2 million dollars is being managed by both a a first come, first served basis and geography. Additionally, there is no cost or obligation to go through the process. But the deadline for application to the Rural Health Care Pilot Program is  June 2011. It is imperative you begin this process as soon as possible.

If you're interested in applying for the RHCPP funding, you will need to follow these steps:

  • Step 1: With the help of an OHN representative, you'll fill out and submit a Letter of Agency (LOA) which authorizes OHN to include your site/organization in the next Request For Proposal. This begins the process of  obtaining FCC/USAC approval and opens your site up to the competitive bidding process for vendors to openly compete on servicing your broadband needs.
  • Step 2: OHN staff will work with your staff throughout the entire RHCPP process, from the LOA through the vendor contract negotiations.
  • Step 3: In contract negotiations, an OHN staff representative will provide you with your estimated total annual OHN Participation Fees and officially welcome you as a member of OHN. Once the fees are clarified and agreed upon (see JOIN US/Fee Structure), you will be asked to sign OHN's Participation Agreement.

Once the vendor contract is approved by USAC, the vendor can start the installation process. They will work with the OHN Network Operations Center (NOC)  to get the leaf nodes installed on your site for 24/7 monitoring and trouble-shooting support.

If you're not eligible for the RHCPP subsidy but still interested in joining OHN, simply contact an OHN representative to learn how your organization can join the network, info@oregonhealthnet.org.

INFORMATION ON THE FCC RHCPP: Information needed to pursue funding through the Rural Health Care Pilot Program Subsidy

Forms and documentation downloads are also located on the RESOURCES Page.

  1. Letter of Agency (LOA)
  2. General Site Information Form 
  3. Network Information Form
    • OHN staff will work with you to develop a diagram of the connections. This is only required if you are interested in more than 1 direct connection to OHN/NWAX.
  4. Eligibility Forms
  5. Cost Allocation Form
    • Guidance sheet for the Cost Allocation Form
    • Cost Allocation Form
  6. OHN Participation Fees: Completed prior to/during vendor contract negotiations

INFORMATION ON RHCPP PROCESS: While the FCC RHCPP is a highly interdependent and grouped RFP process mandated by the FCC, our goal is to make the process as clear as possible. Therfore, we created a document that outlines the general timing and flow of the process - and what you might expect of the timing and how/when we will be communicating with you at the various stages.

OHN WELCOME USER GUIDE: To make the most of your OHN connection, we've created a handy guide giving an overview of our organization, your connection to the NOC, working with you vendor, contacting OHN staff, upcoming webinar orientations, how to reach out to community partners and much more. Click here to download a PDF copy. 

HOOKING UP TO THE NETWORK OPERATIONS CENTER (NOC): To obtain general information and a simple "how-to" document for your IT staff and winning telecom vendor, click here. This will be helpful when it comes time for you to take the steps to hook-up to the NOC. Contact information is also included should you have any questions or concerns.

FCC Seeks Public Comment for Changes to National Broadband Plan

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced it is making changes to the National Broadband Plan, which is designed to assist thousands of health providers at hospitals and clinics in the U.S. who lack adequate broadband access and capability. The announcement, made July 15, begins a 30-day open window for public comment. Comments can be sent to: Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th Street SW; Washington, DC 20554 or via email, fccinfo@fcc.gov.

To view a video of the Open Commission meeting in its entirety, click here.

Updates to the FCC’s National Broadband Plan include the development of a permanent $400 million fund to further broadband infrastructure and build out of health information capabilities in rural areas. This financial support is an additional funding opportunity, outside of the current Rural Health Care Pilot Program (RHCPP) of which Oregon Health Network (OHN) manages for the state, and the standard Rural Health Care Program (RHC).

Read more

FCC Extends RHCPP Deadline by 1 Year or 6/30/2011

FCC Rural Health Care Pilot Program