FCC Releases An Extension to the Invoice Deadline Extension Request (IDER) Deadline for FY2015 BEAR Form

The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) announces that it is extending the deadline for E-rate participants with an October 28, 2016 invoice deadline for Funding Year 2015 to request an extension of the invoice deadline due to technical problems that might have prevented parties from filing. Entities and service providers with an October 28, 2016 invoice deadline now have until 11:59 p.m. on October 31, 2016 to submit extension requests.

More details on the extension: 
http://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016/db1028/DA-16-1234A1.pdf

File for Extension Now If You Haven't Received FY2015 BEAR Payment

File for Extension Now If You Haven't Received FY 2015 BEAR Payment

~ Absolute Deadline is THIS Friday ~

The FY 2015 invoice deadline for recurring services is this Friday, October 28.  This Friday is ALSO the deadline to request an extension.  USAC cannot grant any extension request that is submitted after 11:59 p.m. on Friday.  Therefore, I strongly recommend that everyone who hasn’t received their FY 2015 BEAR funding for recurring services request an extension – even if you’ve filed your BEAR but haven’t yet been paid.  There is absolutely no harm in requesting an extension and then not needing it.  Listed below are all FY2015 applicants that haven’t received reimbursement yet for recurring services, along with the invoice deadline date.  Note: If you filed an extension request via Submit a Question, it may still be listed as 10/28/2016 because it hasn’t yet been processed (you will receive an approval e-mail soon).

HOW TO REQUEST AN INVOICE DEADLINE EXTENSION:

If you have a PIN: Request the invoice deadline extension online to receive instant approval.  Must log into the Online BEAR System to submit the extension request (http://www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx).

If you don’t have a PIN: You must request the extension using Submit a Question http://www.slforms.universalservice.org/EMailResponse/EMail_Intro.aspx.  Under 'Topic Inquiry' select "Invoice Deadline Extension Request" > Select “Other”  > Complete the information cover page, and then in the text box, list the FRN (or multiple FRNs) for which you need an extension.  FRN numbers are included in the attached spreadsheet.

There are several things that you need in order to file the FY 2015 BEAR and if you don’t have all of these as of today, YOU SHOULD FILE AN INVOICE DEADLINE EXTENSION REQUEST.

Approved Form 498 (Direct Deposit Banking Form) – This takes about 2 weeks to get approved.  Check the status here:  http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/498-ID-Status.aspx (give it a minute to load and then use Control F to search for your BEN on the list).  Note:  Certified means submitted, not approved.  If you submitted the 498, be sure to also go to this site to upload a copy of your voided check: http://efileweb.usac.org/ContributorManagement/V1/BankValidation.  An approval e-mail will be sent about 4 days after you upload the check.  This form only needs to be submitted once – not annually.

BEAR PIN – If you don’t have a PIN to access the BEAR Form in the Legacy System, you must request one from USAC.  BEAR PINs take several days to be e-mailed from USAC.  Instructions for requesting PINs:  http://www.usac.org/sl/tools/forms/pin.aspx.

Below is a list of entities that must file their Invoice Deadline Extension Requests by this Friday, October 28. There may be some entities listed that already filed the request, but it hasn’t yet been processed by USAC.  If your entity’s name is on the list below, locate your FRN’s and file an extension if you haven’t already.

Applicant Name

AMERICAN FALLS JOINT DIST 381

ANOTHER CHOICE VIRTUAL CHARTER

BLAINE COUNTY SCHOOL DIST 61

CASTLEFORD SCHOOL

COEUR D'ALENE TRIBAL SCHOOL

COUNCIL LIBRARY DISTRICT

IDEA ADMINISTRATION OFFICE

JEROME JOINT SCHOOL DIST 261

MACKAY JOINT SCHOOL DIST 182

MEADOWS VALLEY SCHOOL DIST 11

MERIDIAN TECHNICAL CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL

MIDDLETON PUBLIC LIBRARY

PARMA SCHOOL DISTRICT 137
WHITE PINES CHARTER SCHOOL

Idaho E-Rate Fall Training Schedule

Hello Everyone,

I have organized a schedule for the 2016 fall E-Rate training for Idaho. Below are the locations and dates for the training sorted by regions. Please review the registration link below and select the site that is most convenient. You are welcome to share this link or the blog link with anyone that you may believe will have an interest in participating.

  

Schedule:

• Region 1 - October 27th @ Coeur d` Alene School District Midtown Ctr. (1505 N. 5th St)
• Region 2 - October 26th @ University Inn in Moscow (1516 Pullman Rd)
• Region 3 - November 3rd @ Middleton High School (1538 Emmett Rd)
• Region 4 - November 10th @ Jerome School District office (125 4th Avenue West)
• Region 5 - November 9th @ Snake River High School (922 W Hwy 39 Blackfoot)
• Region 6 - November 8th @ Springhill Suites in Rexburg (1177 S Hwy 191)

Registration Form: http://goo.gl/forms/2efaK5k43w

Housekeeping items for trainings:

• Training is 4 hours long – 9am to 1pm to allow you time to head back to your site after we’re done  
• If you are attending at a school, please check-in at the main office for pass and directions to room
• Bring your device is optional. Wi-Fi will be provided.
• Coffee and water will be provided   
• Feel free to bring a snack   

You will receive an email receipt of your selection. If your selection needs to change to a different date/location, simply send me an email and I will make the change.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

File Your FY2015 BEAR Before October 28, 2016

You're On The Homestretch...Finish Strong!!!

**The following information ONLY applies to applicants who are paying for the services in FULL and will receive the reimbursements from USAC. You are filing a BEAR (472) and not a SPI (473).

To make sure you complete your funding commitments for FY2015, the FCC Form 472 must be completed prior to October 28, 2016

The FCC Forms that need to completed prior to filing the 472:

• FCC Form 486
• FCC Form 498

To file a 472: www2.sl.universalservice.org/bear/login.aspx

For more information regarding completing the FCC Form 472 & 498...please see the blogs below. 

It's after July 1st...What Does This Mean for a BEAR?

July 1^st is a critical BEAR date.  As of July 1, 2016:

1. All BEARs filed by applicants, regardless of funding year, must now be completed online (this includes FY2014, 2015, and 2016).
2. Service providers will no longer be required to acknowledge/approve BEARs.
3. BEAR reimbursement payments will be made directly to applicants.

To facilitate these changes, several key details should be noted.

1. BEARs must be filed through the Apply Online BEAR system — not through EPC.
• The link takes you to the following page below. Select "BEAR Online" under Utilities. 

2. Applicant Login to the BEAR system requires a PIN.  An applicant, who has not been using non-EPC online forms and who does not have a PIN, can request one from the Client Service Bureau (888-203-8100).  Instructions for obtaining a PIN are discussed in USAC’s latest News Brief discussed below.

3. Although BEARs themselves are not filed through EPC, every applicant seeking direct BEAR payments — which USAC will pay electronically — must first use EPC to file a Form 498. This is a new applicant form. The key purpose of the Form 498 is to provide USAC with the necessary bank account information. A Form 498 can be completed only by a designated “School or Library Official” or “General Financial Contact.”

FCC Funding Update for E-Rate Requests

This information came through last week from FCC and I want to share with everyone if you hadn't already seen it. This is good news for the FY2016 budget allocation and funding to schools for eligible services.  

The Wireline Competition Bureau released a Public Notice on June 8, 2016, announcing that in light of the current E-rate funding cap of $3.939 billion and available carry-forward funding of $1.9 billion, there is sufficient funding to fully fund all category one and category two funding requests. The Bureau directed USAC to fully fund these requests, using $1.9 billion in E-rate funds unused from previous years and any additional funds needed under the current cap to fully meet demand for such services.

Whew! Form 471 is Submitted for FY2016...What's Next?

Hello Everyone,

Congratulations on the completion of your FY2016 E-Rate filing. Now that the May 26th deadline has come and gone for applicants, you may be asking yourself what is the next step in the process? Don't worry too much as there is a "minute" to breathe a sigh of relief and reflect on what was accomplished in your 470 and 471 process and your upcoming school year. 

So, what's next? That is a good question because as it may or not be obvious with this has been a year full of new processes. The next step is to complete and submit your FCC Form 498. I have added some details below to help you complete the task. Of course, if you have corrections you need to make on your FCC Form 471 you need to complete those ASAP through the RAL correction process in EPC. About that later as we'll focus on the 498 here. 

The FCC Form 498 was previously named SPIN (Service Provider Identification Number) form has now morphed into the "498 ID." The FCC Form 498, traditionally used by service providers, now is being used by Schools and Libraries Program applicants to provide contact and banking information to USAC for use during BEAR invoicing (FCC Form 472). This change allows USAC to have all the necessary banking information so applicants will receive payments directly from USAC rather than through their service provider beginning July 1, 2016. The 498 will be used for FY2016 reimbursements so it needs to be completed sooner than later.   

Main points to consider with this new Form 498: 

1. The Form 498 is located within the EPC under your profile. 
2. The person completing the form MUST be listed as a user in your profile and have the correct role assigned to him/her. 
3. This person will be the CFO/Business Manager in the school district or the main person handling the finances. 
4. If this person is not yet listed as a user in EPC, this will need to be completed by the EPC Admin for your district. The new person will need to be enrolled and then sign into EPC in order to even see the Form 498 option.  
5. After they sign in...go to "My Landing Page" and select your district entity. On the left column select "Related Actions" and then locate "Complete Form 498" from the list. This may sound confusing, but I added a document to help.  

The document I created includes screen shots of the 498 process that may be helpful to follow along. They can be found here >>> https://goo.gl/FbW6QX

As always, I am available for any assistance you may need to complete this FCC Form 498. 

Have a great day!