June 8, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a reminder that beginning in August 2026, USAC will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. To continue receiving USF disbursements, all service providers and E-Rate participants who use the FCC Form 472\/BEAR for invoicing must have an active SAM.gov account, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498<\/strong>, and a valid bank account associated with their SAM.gov account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To help with this process, USAC has created a new tool to assist \u00a0E-Rate applicants in determining whether the UEI has been added to their Form 498.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Using the tool, I\u2019ve pulled the most current data, which can be accessed by clicking on\u00a0E-Rate_PA_Applicant_498_UEI_Data_Set_As of 6-8-2026<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0 If you see \u201cNo<\/strong>\u201d listed in Column \u201cB\u201d for your organization, please follow the steps listed below as soon as possible to complete this step.\u00a0 The tool also shows the current status of your Form 498.\u00a0 If your status is listed as \u201cRejected\u201d, \u201cBank Rejected\u201d, or \u201cIn Progress\u201d, I\u2019ve added notes on how to proceed. Please remember you must renew your SAM.gov account annually.<\/strong> The renewal due date is included in your account on SAM.gov. You will not be able to receive USF disbursements if your SAM.gov account becomes inactive. BEAR filers who do not have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account should:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Because the SAM.gov registration process can take up to six weeks, USAC recommends starting as soon as possible. For more information, visit USAC\u2019s SAM.gov UEI Requirement<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me. Lorrie Germann<\/em><\/strong>
If you plan to file \u00a0BEAR forms and believe you have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account, you should:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
For step-by-step instructions on updating the Form 498, or how to file a new Form 498 if there is no current approved form in EPC, I\u2019ve provided a guide you can access by clicking on Form-498-Filing – Updating-Guide-UEI & Banking Info<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Sincerely,
Lorrie<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pennsylvania E-Rate Coordinator
717-576-2737 – o
lgermann@e-ratepa.org
www.e-ratepa.org<\/p>\n\n