FY 2021 BEAR Deadlines Fast Approaching

February 16, 2023

Attached: FY 2021 BEARs Due as of February 2023

This is a friendly reminder for 85 PA schools and libraries that their FY 2021 BEAR deadline is fast approaching.  Most of the FRNs on the list have February 27, 2023 invoice deadlines because they received an extension of their October 28, 2022 invoice deadline.  There are a few FRNs with invoice deadlines of March and April 2023 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 recuring service FRNs for which no funding has been disbursed for 2021 and which have immediate invoice deadlines.

The BEAR Filing Guide is available at:  https://e-ratepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-2021-updated-Aug-2022.pdf.

• Where to File BEARs:  BEARs (Form 472s) are 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.

• 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 2021 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