Instructions for RUS Form 399b

TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT FIELD TRAIL

This form is used as a Certification of Contract or Force Account Proposal Approval for Telecommunications Equipment Field Trial.

RUS staff will partially complete RUS Form 399b and provide to the Borrowers (or their Consulting Engineer) and Manufacturers for additional information. The borrowers (or their consulting engineers) and manufacturers must execute three copies of the completed form and deliver them to RUS for processing along with the three executed copies of the contract covering the equipment under field trial.

Fld. Name/Item No.	Instructions – Part A
Date	Enter the date the form is completed.
Field Trial Number	RUS staff inserts the field trial number.
1a. Borrower’s name and Address	Enter the legal company’s name and complete address.
1b. RUS project Number	Enter the RUS borrower number and letter identifying the loan, such as WI 533-N.
2a. Description, Quantity, and Cost of items Undergoing Filed Trial	Enter description of all equipment and installed cost, quantity, locations, catalog numbers, services to be provided, and number of customers affected.
2b. Supplier Name and Address	Enter the legal supplier’s name and complete address.
3a. RUS Contract Number	Enter the RUS Contract Number, if known.
3b. Contract Date	Enter the acceptance date of the contract for the equipment under field trial.
4. Specific Field Trial Locations	Enter the locations where the equipment is to be installed. For links such as toll routes, identify it by the endpoints of the links.
5. Field Trial Purpose	RUS staff specifies the performance to be evaluated.
6a. Starting Date	RUS staff enters the starting date of the field trial, if known, or otherwise fill in “Upon Cutover”.
6b. Duration	RUS staff enters the duration of the field trial, normally 6 months.
7. Installation to be Made by	If installation is to be done by other than the supplier, enter name and complete address of the entity installing the equipment; otherwise, leave blank.
8. Installation Cost to be Borne by	If installation cost is to be borne by other than the borrower, enter the name and complete address of the entity bearing the cost; otherwise, leave blank.
9. Ownership of Items during Field Trial	If the borrower does not own the equipment during the field trial, enter the name and complete address of the entity that owns the equipment; otherwise leave it blank.
Fld. Name/Item No.	Instructions – Part B
1. Initial Test to be performed by	Indicate by inserting an “x” next to the names “Supplier or Borrower” who will be performing the initial test and insert comments, as appropriate.
2a. Initially, Test Equipment will be provided by	Indicate by inserting an “x” next to the name “Supplier or Borrower” who will be providing the test equipment for the initial test and insert comments, as appropriate.
2b. Subsequently, Test Equipment will be provided by	Indicate by inserting an “x” next to the name “Supplier or Borrower” who will be providing the test equipment for the initial test and insert comments, as appropriate.
3. Maintenance of Items to be performed by	Indicate by inserting an “x” next to the name “Supplier or Borrower” who will be providing maintenance of the equipment under the field trial.
4. Cost of Arrangements for Service Continuity.	Indicate by inserting an “x” next to the name “Supplier or Borrower” who will bear the cost and be responsible for restoring service in the event the equipment under field trial needs to be removed.
Fld. Name/Item No.	Instructions - Part C
1. Supplier’s Reports to RUS	RUS staff will insert the name, title, address, and email of the RUS employee receiving the emailed supplier’s reports.
1a. Reports Dates	RUS staff will enter when the reports are due.
1b. Nature of the Information	RUS staff will insert a description of the information to be included in the reports.
2. Borrower’s Reports to RUS	RUS staff will insert the name, title, address, and email of the RUS employee receiving the emailed borrower’s reports.
2a. Report Dates	RUS staff will enter when the reports are due.
2b. Nature of the Information	RUS staff will insert a description of the information to be included in the reports.

Fld. Name/Item No.	Instructions - Part D
Specify	RUS staff will insert any special considerations, if any.

Fld. Name/Item No.	Instructions - Part E
Seller	Supplier signs on the line provided.
By	Enter full name of person signing for the supplier.
Title	Enter title of person signing for the supplier.
Buyer	Borrower signs on the line provided.
By	Enter full name of person signing for the borrower.
Title	Enter title of person signing for the borrower.

Fld. Name/Item No.	Instructions - Part F
Coordinator	The Field Trial Coordinator signs in the space indicated by “Signature” and inserts his/her title and date signed.
Recommended	The Coordinator will enter the names and titles of the Recommending Officials. The Recommended Officials will sign in the space indicated by “Signature” and insert the date signed.
Approved	The Coordinator will enter the names and titles of the Approving Officials. The Approving Officials will sign in the space indicated by “Signature” and insert the date signed.

Fld.Name/Item No.	Instructions - Part G
Approved	If the Field trial exceeds $1,000,000, the Field Trial Coordinator will enter the name of the Assistant Administrator. For approval, the Assistant Administrator will sign in the space indicated by “Signature” and insert the date signed.