Monday is Deadline to File FY 2011 BEARs
October 25, 2012
~ List of affected entities attached ~
~ Sample BEAR Extension Request attached ~
If you did not receive discounted bills for your FY 2011 recurring services funding requests, you must submit a Form 472 BEAR for reimbursement by Monday, October 29. The BEAR must be signed by both the applicant and service provider (if using a paper BEAR) or electronically certified by both the applicant and service provider (if using an electronic BEAR). Need to file for an extension? They're very easy to complete and I've attached an example for you to use. Just fill in the blanks and fax to USAC at 973-599-6526. After USAC grants your extension, you will have an additional 120 days to submit your BEAR.
If you have a PIN, this form can be filed online at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp. Or it can be filed manually (print and mail it) and is available at: http://www.sl.universalservice.org/form.
Attached to this message is a spreadsheet containing a list of all PA entities that, as of October 25, have either not submitted a BEAR or have had their BEAR $0-funded. The list does NOT include FRNs for internal connections funding (those invoices may be submitted up until January 28), FRNs where it is obvious that vendors are providing discounted bills, or FRNs where any disbursements have previously been made for FY 2011.
Some last minute advice:
10 Digit Myth: On the paper BEAR, it asks for your 10-digit 471 number and 10-digit FRN number. These numbers are not 10 digits -- this is an error on the form. Just use the numbers as they appear on your funding commitment decision letter.
Vendor not signing a Paper BEAR? If you've faxed your BEAR to your vendor to sign and they haven't done so, call the vendor to make sure they know you need it ASAP. If you can't reach them or if they can't sign by today, file for an invoice deadline extension. After it's granted, you'll have an additional 120 days to file your BEAR.
Vendor not certifying an Online BEAR? If you submitted your BEAR Online but have not yet received the e-mail confirmation stating that your vendor certified your BEAR, call the vendor to make sure they know your BEAR is awaiting certification in the USAC Online BEAR system. If you can't reach them, file for an invoice deadline extension. If your vendor certifies after Monday's midnight deadline, the BEAR will be denied. After your invoice deadline extension request is approved, you'll have an additional 120 days to resubmit.
1 BEAR Per Vendor: A separate BEAR must be submitted for each vendor. If you have 2 or more FRNs with the same vendor (same SPIN), you can put all of them on the same BEAR.
Items 14 and 15? Item 14 should be the total amount of eligible services for the year (assuming you're filing a BEAR for the full 12 months). Item 15 should be the Item 14 amount multiplied by your approved discount. Do not just list your funding cap for the year in 14 or 15. These figures should be actual amounts. USAC will only pay up to your cap, or the actual amount you've spent, whichever is less.
Committed Amount vs. Actual Amount: You may only seek reimbursement for the exact amount paid for eligible services and may not seek reimbursement of the full funding cap if you didn't spent up to that amount (for example, if you were committed $10,000, but then only spent $6,000, you can only request E-rate reimbursements based on the $6000).
Paper BEAR Version: If you don't have an E-rate PIN, you must file a paper BEAR and the easiest version I've found to use (type-in/print out) is available at http://www.e-ratecentral.com/formsRack/app/Form472.asp.
Not Going to Use the $? File a Form 500 to return the funds. http://www.e-ratecentral.com/formsRack/app/Form500.asp.
Let me know if you have any questions!
-- Julie
Julie Tritt Schell
PA E-rate Coordinator
717-730-7133 - o
717-730-9060 - f
jtschell@comcast.net
www.e-ratepa.org
Penn*link
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