Approaching Deadlines to Submit FY 2019 and FY 2020 BEARs

January 13, 2022

Attached: FY 2020 BEARs Due as of Jan 12

Attached: FY 2019 BEARs Due as of Jan 12 2022

Although we usually associate October 28 as the BEAR deadline, the BEAR deadline for NON-RECURRING services (internal connections) is January 28 (because applicants have until September 30 to purchase/install internal connections equipment, thus making the invoicing deadline later than the recurring services invoice deadline).  Several FY 2019 deadlines also were automatically extended by the FCC due to COVID, thus making the BEAR deadline lists longer than normal.

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 relevant funding year spreadsheet (FY 2019 or FY 2020) to see the associated FRN and invoice deadline.  Note:  The attached files contain all FRNs for which no funding has been disbursed for FY 2019 and 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:  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, you are permitted to 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 2019 or 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