*** Note that the below information only applies to entities that file
their own E-Rate forms. If you only participate in E-Rate as a member of
the Networkmaine Consortium and do not file for any additional E-Rate
funding, then you do not need to complete the steps outlined. ****


Item Date Notes
FY2024 Administrative Window opens October 24 -  Make EPC profile updates
-  More detailed info to come in a separate email
FY2023 Form 486 Deadline = October 29: for those FRNs in a funding wave
dated prior to July 1 (assuming services start on July 1) Every FRN on
every Form 471 for which you receive an FCDL must be included on a Form 486
to indicate the start of services. As your various FRNs are likely to
appear in different funding waves, you may very well end up with different
Form 486 deadlines. Keep track of the deadline for each FRN because if your
Form 486 is late, USAC will deduct a portion of your approved funding.
Rolling Deadline: for those FRNs with an FCDL dated July 1 or later:
deadline = 120 days after the date of the FCDL or the start of services
(whichever is later)
FY2022 BEARs Deadline = October 30
-  Usually 10/28
-  moved to 10/30 due to 10/28 falling on a weekend -  Once you have
received an FCDL, have filed a Form 486, and have paid the bill(s)
associated with the BEAR request for reimbursement, you may file your BEARs
as often as you desire (monthly, quarterly, once a year) up to your funding
commitment dollar amount.
-  Submit these in the current legacy system as timely as possible to
minimize delays
-  If BEARS submitted in the legacy system have not disbursed by the
deadline, they will be transitioned into EPC
-  Request an invoice deadline extension if necessary
Account Administrators, BEAR Permissions Recommended by:
October 30  -  Make sure your EPC profile has an active user listed as
Account Administrator
-  Make sure all users have been assigned the appropriate BEAR permissions
(full, partial, or view-only)
-  You can also do this after the cutover but do it prior to ensure a
smooth transition
EPC is unavailable October 30 at 11:59 PM through November 6 -  System
cutover period
-  System access to BEARs and EPC is unavailable
BEARs are accessed through EPC Beginning November 7 -  All BEARs for FY2016
or alter must now be submitted from within EPC
-  USAC will provide training opportunities
-  Watch for additional training materials from me


_________________________________________________

Anne Perloff
Maine State E-Rate Coordinator for Schools
Networkmaine, University of Maine System UMS:IT

Web: erate.networkmaine.net

Email: [log in to unmask]

Phone: 207-581-3584

Mail:
Networkmaine
5752 Neville Hall, Room 255
Orono, ME 04469-5752