Start with the program
What is a USAC Rural Health Care bid?
The Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) administers the Rural Health Care program under Federal Communications Commission rules. Applicants seeking bids use FCC Form 461 for the Healthcare Connect Fund program or FCC Form 465 for the Telecommunications Program.
Once approved, a request is posted publicly for service providers to review. USAC states that both forms must be posted for at least 28 days. A provider responds to the applicant according to the filing and any attached request for proposal—not to BidTerrain.
Two routes to opportunity
FCC Form 461 vs. FCC Form 465
Healthcare Connect Fund
FCC Form 461
Telecommunications Program
FCC Form 465
Use the controlling record
Where telecom providers find open RHC requests
- 01
Search the official data
Open the USAC Rural Health Care Posted Services dataset and narrow the results by program, geography, funding year, and posting status. - 02
Open the filing and every attachment
Use the source links to review the actual form, RFP, network plan, addenda, and other applicant documents. A spreadsheet row is not a substitute for the filing. - 03
Verify the dates
Check the posting end date, any applicant response deadline, and the Allowable Contract Selection Date (ACSD). Do not assume those dates are identical. - 04
Match the request to your footprint
Compare sites, circuits, service type, bandwidth, construction needs, contract term, and support expectations with what your company can actually deliver.
Decide before you write
What to evaluate before bidding
- Territory: Are every requested site and circuit endpoint inside your owned network, partner reach, or realistic construction area?
- Technical scope: Can you deliver the requested service type, bandwidth range, reliability, support, equipment, and implementation schedule?
- Dates: Is there enough time to engineer, price, approve, and submit a compliant response before the applicant’s deadline?
- Evaluation: Does your response address every weighted criterion, minimum requirement, and disqualification factor shown in the filing?
- Documents: Have you read the form, RFP, network plan, circuit list, amendments, and applicant instructions rather than relying on a summary?
- Procurement boundary: Can your team compete without helping the applicant prepare its form, requested-service description, criteria, or provider selection?
The provider-side sequence
From public posting to provider response
- 01
Applicant request is approved and posted
USAC publishes the approved Form 461 or 465 and its supporting documents for a competitive-bidding period of at least 28 days. - 02
Providers review the public request
Potential bidders assess the requested services, location, contact, ACSD, weighted criteria, and attached documents. - 03
Qualified providers respond to the applicant
The bid goes to the contact and destination specified by the applicant, following all format, content, and deadline instructions. - 04
Applicant evaluates the bids
The applicant applies its disclosed weighted criteria and selects the most cost-effective bid. Providers cannot participate in the evaluation or selection process.
Signal, with the source beside it
What BidTerrain does—and does not do
BidTerrain helps
Narrow the review queue
Your team controls
Verify, decide, and respond
Plain-language answers
Frequently asked questions
Are USAC Rural Health Care bid listings free to search?
Yes. USAC publishes a free Posted Services tool and public dataset for FCC Forms 461 and 465. BidTerrain charges for territory matching and concise monitoring, not access to the underlying public records.
How long is an FCC Form 461 or 465 request posted?
USAC says an approved Form 461 or 465 must be posted for a minimum of 28 days. An applicant may use a longer period, and attached bid instructions may contain a specific response deadline. Always verify the current official posting.
What is the difference between a posting end date and the ACSD?
The posting end date marks the end of the public posting period. The Allowable Contract Selection Date is the date on or after which the applicant may select a provider and enter into an agreement. Review both dates and the applicant’s instructions.
Does every Rural Health Care applicant file Form 461 or 465?
No. USAC notes that certain applicants are exempt from competitive bidding and therefore are not required to file these forms. The Posted Services data represents posted competitive-bidding requests, not every RHC-funded service.
Will BidTerrain prepare or submit a provider’s bid?
No. BidTerrain identifies potential territory and service matches and links to official records. The provider remains responsible for verifying the request, preparing its response, and submitting directly to the applicant.
Verify before acting
Official sources
These USAC pages and records are the controlling starting points for this guide. Always check the current filing, attachments, dates, and program instructions before submitting a bid.