7 Days Remain to File FY 2018 BEARs

October 21, 2019

Attached: FY 2018 No Disbursements as of Oct 21

Attached: Invoice Deadline Extension Request (IDER) Guide

Attached: Form 472 BEAR Filing Guide FY 2018

~ List of Affected Entities is Below and Attached ~
~ File Extension Request ASAP if on List ~
~ BEAR Filing Guide and Extension Request Guide Attached ~
~ FAQs Listed Below ~

The FY 2018 BEAR deadline for recurring services is Monday, October 28, 2019.  Please check the list below to see if you are one of the potentially affected entities.  This list only includes entities that have invoice deadlines of 10/28/2019 and for which no funding has been disbursed by USAC.  The attached list contains all FY 2018 FRNs for which no funding has been disbursed, regardless of invoice deadline.

File for an Invoice Deadline Extension Now:  If any of the following statements applies to you, I strongly encourage you to submit an Invoice Deadline Extension Request (IDER) ASAP:

1. You haven’t yet submitted your FY 2018 BEAR and your deadline is next Monday (October 28, 2019).
2. You submitted a FY 2018 BEAR but USAC hasn’t yet disbursed the funds.
3. You don’t have a BEAR PIN to access the online BEAR system.
4. You don’t have a Form 498 (Direct Deposit Form) approved by USAC (if you filed a BEAR since July 2015, you likely already have a 498 approved).
5. You have a FY 2018 Appeal, SPIN Change, or Service Substitution pending.

Attached is a Guide to requesting an invoice deadline extension (IDER) which is done in EPC.  Applicants may request a 1-time, 120-day extension to file the BEAR.  If your invoice deadline has already been extended in the attached list and you didn’t request it, it likely means your vendor has already filed for the extension.   See https://e-ratepa.org/?p=31914 for more information on filing the IDER.

Filing the BEAR:  BEARs must be submitted in the BEAR system (not EPC):  https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx (see #4 below if you need a BEAR PIN).  There are several steps you must take before the Form 472 BEAR can be submitted. Please review each step and you will be successful in obtaining your reimbursements.

1. ARE YOU ON THE LIST?  Look at the list at the bottom of this message. If your school or library is listed, open the attached spreadsheet for details about which funding requests are affected.  Note:  The data includes all FRNs where NO E-rate funds have been disbursed for FY 2018, including FRNs that have later invoice deadlines.
2. DID YOUR VENDOR SUBMIT THEIR 2018 FORM 473 SPAC?  If Column H (Vendor 473 SPAC Filed?) shows ‘NO’, you must contact your vendor prior to submitting the BEAR and tell the vendor they must submit the Form 473 SPAC to USAC ASAP.  This is an annual form that every vendor must submit and without it, no BEARs that list that SPIN will be paid.  Direct the vendor to: https://e-ratepa.org/?p=20121 for more information.
3. DID YOU SUBMIT THE FORM 486 FOR THE FRN?  If Column I (Form 486 Filed?) shows ‘NO’, file the 486, request an invoice deadline extension (IDER), then contact Julie for instructions on how to appeal.
4. DO YOU HAVE A BEAR PIN?  BEARs (Form 472s) are NOT filed in EPC; they are filed in the legacy system at: https://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx.  To get into the old system, you must use your E-rate PIN — not your EPC credentials.  If you don’t have an E-rate PIN (or had one but can’t find it), complete the short PIN Request template at: http://www.usac.org/_res/documents/sl/xls/PIN-request-template.xlsx and then upload it into EPC by creating a Customer Service Case.  USAC will then e-mail you a new PIN in about a week.
5. DO YOU HAVE AN APPROVED 498 ON FILE WITH USAC?  The 498 provides USAC with the banking information so that your BEAR reimbursements can be directly deposited into your account.  You do not need to complete the Form 498 annually, and most applicants have an approved 498 already on file with USAC.  If you completed a BEAR in the last 3 years, the online BEAR system already has your banking data on file.   If you log into the Online BEAR System, and a Form 498 ID doesn’t appear in the form, it means you don’t have an approved 498 on file with USAC.  If you’re unsure how to find or complete the 498, refer to this guide:  https://e-ratepa.org/?p=13701.

Each year, many applicants are committed funding, but then never go back to seek reimbursement. Don’t let them keep your well-deserved money.

If you have any questions about the FY 2018 Invoice Deadlines, completing the BEAR, requesting an invoice deadline extension, or filing the Form 498, please contact me at jtschell@comcast.net.

— Julie

PA Schools and Libraries With No Funds Yet Disbursed for FY 2018, and 10/28/2019 invoice deadline:

Julie Tritt Schell

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