E-rate BEAR Form
Lauren AbnerKentucky Department for Libraries and Archives
E-rate cycle
Form 470
Form 471
Form 486
BEARor SPI
Top 6 BEAR Tips
1. The form can’t be filed until bills have been paid. 2. It can be filed as frequently (annually, quarterly, etc.) as you like. 3. File one form for each service provider. 4. Deadlines apply to you and the service provider. 5. Final deadline for FY2015 is October 28, 2016. 6. You can request 1 filing extension of 120 days: http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step07/invoice-extensions.aspx
Have this information ready:
• The Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) from 2015 will provide:• The library’s billed entity number, or BEN.• The service provider’s SPIN, or service provider ID number.• The 471 form number.• The funding request number (FRN).
• Your PIN – the equivalent of a signature, this is specific to one person.
• The total amount spent on each bill during the E-rate funding year (7/1/2015– 6/30/2016).
Before You Begin
http://www.sl.universalservice.org
Questions about your PIN? Call 888-203-8100 or use the online Submit a Question form.
If you can’t locate your PIN and the deadline is approaching, file a paper BEAR form. Instructions for filing on paper follow the instructions for filing online.
Sample form
File one form for each service provider.
This will fill out automatically once the SPIN is entered.
This is for your records, and it can be left blank.
Lauren Abner
Applicant Form Identifier
1728
Sample form
Enter a date in blank #10 for recurring services (like phone or Internet), #11 for one-time services (equipment. Use only one of these for each FRN. Most services start on the first day of the funding year.
Compare your monthly bills with the original funding request to help determine this amount. Don’t use commas or a $.
The amount billed to the USAC (#14) is calculated from the amount entered in #12 and the discount % (which will already be filled in).
07/01/2015540611 1497956 16559 11591.370
Add additional FRNs using this button. To be included on this BEAR form, they must be from the same service provider.
Sample form
Check all of these.
Sample form
This box must be checked.
This will complete the library’s portion of this form.
Enter the library’s name.
KY Department for Libr
Next step
The BEAR is not complete until it is certified (online) or signed (on paper) by your service provider.
http://www.sl.universalservice.org
Checking the status of your BEAR
Checking the status of your BEAR
Incomplete invoices will be displayed on the BEAR Home page.
These sample BEARs are incomplete, awaiting service provider certification.
http://www.usac.org/sl
Alternative to online form : filing on paper
Select forms, and choose Form 472 (or BEAR) on the next screen.
Filing on paper
Make sure the form is dated July 2013! Old forms will be rejected.Use Internet Explorer or Firefox as your browser.
Contacting your Service Provider
The paper BEAR form is not complete without your service provider’s signature. First, use the SPIN search tool to locate the contact person for your service provider.
SPIN search
Enter the SPIN listed on your funding commitment letter. This is much easier than figuring out your service provider’s full legal name.
SPIN search
Call the contact number listed to find out where to fax your BEAR form for a signature. Once they’ve signed it and faxed it back, mail it to:
SLD BEAR FCC Form 472P.O. Box 7026
Lawrence, KS 66044-7026
It must be postmarked by October 28, 2016!
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Lauren AbnerTechnology ConsultantKentucky Department for Libraries & [email protected]