Approaching ECF Invoicing Deadline/Call with USAC
April 13, 2023
Attached: ECF Windows 1-2 Status as of April 13 2023 Not Fully Disbursed
Out of the $82 million approved for PA applicants in ECF Windows 1 and 2 (FY 2021), only $45 million has been disbursed thus far. The invoicing deadline is August 29, 2023 for almost all FY 2021 FRNs, although a few applicants who received built-out funding to bring broadband infrastructure into their communities have varying invoice deadlines, some sooner than August. Attached is a list of all PA-funded ECF Windows 1 and 2 FRNs that have undisbursed funding, with FRNs using the BEAR invoicing method highlighted.
Because of these firm deadlines, and because it can sometimes take several months to have invoices processed due to the unique requirement to have an updated sam.gov account containing EIN data that matches your Form 498 data, it’s important that you submit your invoices as early as possible.
Zoom Meeting with USAC: To answer any questions you have about the ECF invoicing process, I have scheduled a Zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 26 from 11 – noon during which time USAC staff will join us to answer any questions or concerns you have about the ECF invoicing process. This meeting is just for PA schools and libraries, as well as their consultants and service providers. Registration is required. If you have specific questions/concerns, please list them when you register or send them to me in advance so USAC has time to conduct the research and come prepared with answers.
ECF Invoicing Zoom Meeting
Wednesday, April 26 from 11 – noon
Register at: https://cciu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwlc-2tpzIuGtHEBMzv7W34bXeORMaz-un_
Note: If you are not going to use the funding, please file a Post Commitment Request in the ECF Portal to decommit the funds so that more applications can be funded in ECF Window 3. To do this, follow these steps: Log into ECF Portal > My Forms and Requests > Click on the ECF 471 Application Number > Related Actions > Create a Post-Commitment Request.
Also, my Form 472 BEAR Filing Guide is available at: http://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/ECF-Form-472-BEAR-Reimbursement-Filing-Guide-updated-June-2022.pdf. Don’t forget to upload both the vendor invoice AND proof of delivery or shipping, and be certain your SAM.gov account is active and up to date. Sam.gov assistance is available at: https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp or through the ECF Customer Service Center (CSC) at (800) 234-9781.
Please feel free to share this message with your consultants and service providers.
I look forward to seeing you there!
– Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
Pennsylvania E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 – o
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org