Hi folks,

 

As you may already know, USAC has completed their E-Rate Systems Consolidation project!

 

What does this mean for authorized BEAR form filers?

If you are a user with permission to file and certify the FCC Form 472 (BEAR) form for reimbursement, seeking reimbursement will have a different look. 

*For those of you familiar with the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) portal, you will see a similar interface to the BEAR form (Invoicing Dashboard). 

 

While it may look a little different, the process and rules for seeking reimbursement remain the same.

 

What will it look like?

Well, before when you logged into the overall One Portal dashboard, authorized BEAR form filers typically saw three portal options:

• EPC (E-Rate Productivity Center) portal
• FCC FORM 472 (BEAR form) portal
• ECF (Emergency Connectivity Fund) portal

 

NOW, when you log in, you won’t see a separate BEAR portal, as it is no longer available. 

Instead, you will now seek reimbursement by filing a BEAR form (FCC Form 472) within the EPC portal, where you file your other E-Rate forms (i.e. FCC Form 470, 471, 486, etc.)

 

I’ve gone through USAC’s helpful video tutorial on the new changes and created the attached user guide with screen shots and instructions based on their video (just in case you want a written user guide).  USAC provides several other helpful step-by-step videos that cover many topics pertaining to filing the BEAR form in the EPC.  Helpful links to additional e-Learning modules put together by USAC are also listed below. There are several other functionalities provided to you because of this migration, so please review some of these resources.  

 

There is an especially helpful FAQ section at the bottom of the E-Rate Systems Consolidation page. 

 

Additionally, here are some useful snippets about the new system from the special November News Brief:

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E-Rate Systems Consolidation Completed November 7

Submit Your E-Rate Invoices in EPC

USAC completed the E-Rate systems consolidation on November 7 to move the E-Rate Legacy systems into the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC), including all invoicing functionality. All your E-Rate transactions can now be completed through EPC.

Invoicing for Funding Years 2016 and forward will now be completed in EPC, including submitting and certifying invoice-related forms (FCC Forms 472 (BEAR), 473 (SPAC), and 474 (SPI and eSPI)), responding to inquiries, receiving notifications, and tracking your invoicing activities. Any unpaid invoices lines for FY2016 or later have been migrated into EPC. USAC has populated the “nickname” field in EPC with your original legacy invoice number to help you identify your invoices.

Invoices for Funding Years 2015 and prior can be submitted via a customer service case in EPC. Follow these instructions to create a customer service case and download, complete, and attach the FCC Form 472 PDF (applicants submitting BEAR forms) or the FCC Form 474 PDF (service providers).

Features of Invoicing in EPC

The features and benefits of the invoicing functionality in EPC include: 

• A streamlined invoice submission process for all form types. 
• Outreach inquiries conducted in EPC. 
• Notifications from EPC and via email when there is a pending action for the full rights users. 
• Notifications about invoice submission status in your EPC News feed. 
• Built-in upfront validations, to help reduce errors at time of submission. 
• Built-in calculations, using billed amount and discount rate for a more accurate invoice submission. 
• The ability to proactively include bills during invoice submission, reducing the need for inquiries and less time to review. 
• Helpful tools for obtaining invoicing details and statuses. 

Resources

Below is a list of resources you can use to get familiar with the invoicing functions in EPC.

Website Pages

• E-Rate Systems Consolidation 

Learn How to Submit Invoices in EPC: e-Learning Modules (eLMs)

• Invoicing for Applicants
• Applicant Course 1: Submitting & Certifying Invoices in EPC
• Applicant Course 2: Invoice Management and Status in EPC
• Applicant Course 3: Invoice Notifications and Outreach in EPC 
• Need Help? Contact Us!
• For questions about the E-Rate program, contact the Customer Service Center at (888) 203-8100

 

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Happy invoicing!

 

Liz Thigpen Schreck | Director

Ocoee River Regional Library

State E-Rate Coordinator for Public Libraries

Office of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett

718 George Street, NW,  Athens, TN 37303

P. (423) 745-5194 – office;   (423) 649-1583 – direct

Regional Toll Free – (855) 692-8186

Fax (423) 649-1501

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