FY 2020 BEAR Deadlines Fast Approaching

February 10, 2022

Attached: FY 2020 FRNs No Disbursements as of Feb 9 2022

This is a friendly reminder for several PA schools and libraries that their FY 2020 BEAR deadline is fast approaching.  Most of the FRNs on the list have February 25, 2022 invoice deadlines because they received an extension of their October 28, 2021 invoice deadline.  There are other, later deadlines on the list as well.

First, check the list at the bottom of this message to determine if your entity is impacted.  If your organization is listed, then open the attached spreadsheet to see the associated FRN and invoice deadline.  Note:  The attached file contains all FRNs for which no funding has been disbursed for 2020, with the immediate deadlines highlighted.

The BEAR Filing Guide is available at:  https://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-2020.pdf

• Where to File BEARs:  BEARs (Form 472s) are now filed under the One Portal umbrella which you access at: https://forms.universalservice.org/portal/login and proceed through the multi-factor authentication steps.  When you reach the One Portal Dashboard, you should see three links in this order:  EPC, BEAR, ECF.  If you don’t see the BEAR link, it means you are not set up with BEAR access credentials.  Simply complete the BEAR Access Template at:  https://www.usac.org/e-rate/resources/forms/bear-form-access/ and then upload it into EPC by creating a Customer Service Case.  USAC will then provide you with BEAR access in a few days.

• BEAR PINs – No More!  The requirement to enter a BEAR PIN has been removed because you will be logging in under One Portal.  However, whenever you click on the BEAR link, you will still be required to enter your Billed Entity Number (BEN) before seeing the BEAR system.  BENs can be found on the attached spreadsheet.
• Requesting an Invoice Deadline Extension Request:  If you cannot file your BEAR by the due date listed on the attached spreadsheet, and you have not yet exhausted your single invoice deadline extension request, you can still request a single, 120-day Invoice Deadline Extension which is done in EPC.  See the IDER Filing Guide for more information on requesting the invoice deadline extension.  If you’ve already received an extension (typically those with February invoice dates already received their extension), and try to request a second extension, the IDER tool will immediately deny your request.
• Form 498 ID:  When completing the BEAR, be sure a Form 498 ID is showing.  If the Form 498 ID is blank, it means that USAC does not have your school or library’s banking information in their systems which means that your BEAR cannot be processed because reimbursements can be directly deposited into your account.  The Form 498 is only submitted one time and the only time it must be modified is if your school or library changes banks, band account numbers, and/or BEAR remittance contacts within your institution (the remittance contact receives the BEAR approval e-mails).  To modify your Form 498, log into EPC > Records > Form 498s > Click on the 498 > Modify Form 498 (upper right corner of form).

If you have any questions about the FY 2020 Invoice Deadlines or completing the BEAR, please contact me at jtschell@comcast.net.

— Julie

Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org