Approaching Deadline to Submit FY 2023 & FY 2024 BEARs

January 26, 2026

Attached: FY2023-2024-BEARs-Due-Jan-2026.xlsx

Although we usually associate October 28 as the BEAR deadline, the BEAR deadline for NON-RECURRING services (mainly internal connections) is Wednesday, 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 2023 non-recurring FRNs also have January 28 deadlines, likely due to automatic invoice deadline extensions due to service substitutions and SPIN change approvals, and I’ve also included them on this message, as well as other FRNs that have invoice deadlines through May 2026.
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, and any important “Lorrie’s notes.”  Note:  The attached file contains FRNs for which 50% or more of funding is remaining for FY 2023 or 2024, with an invoice deadline soon approaching.   
Requesting an Invoice Deadline Extension:  If you cannot file your BEAR by the January 28 deadline, 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 the deadline is after January, it likely means the invoice deadline was originally in October 2025 and it has already been extended and thus cannot be extended a second time.
Where to Find BEAR in EPC:  To access the EPC Invoicing System, log into EPC and select “EPC E-Rate Invoicing” from the shortcuts menu in the top right corner of your Landing Page.  If you don’t see this link, it means that your EPC Account Administrator must change your User Permissions in their EPC portal (see Slide 11 of the Guide for instructions on changing User Permissions).  Hint:  the BEAR allows (not requires) you to upload a copy of the relevant vendor invoice and I encourage you to do so for Category 2 funding requests. A BEAR Filing Guide is available at: 

Form-472-BEAR-Filing-Guide-New-BEAR-July-2025.pdf.

Below is a list of entities that have upcoming FY 2023 or FY 2024 invoice deadlines.   

If you have questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Lorrie

Lorrie Germann
Pennsylvania E-Rate Coordinator
717-576-2737 – o
lgermann@e-ratepa.org
www.e-ratepa.org