Please read all deadline information below carefully as some pertains to those who file for E-Rate on their own behalf and some pertains to Networkmaine consortium members. You may fall into one or both categories.
*** 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. Skip to the next section for consortium deadlines. ***
FY2022 BEARs
File any outstanding FY2022 BEARs to request reimbursement for bills paid for 2022-2023 products and services. Depending on how often you file BEARs, this could be for the entire funding year, or just the last quarter or last month. Instructions are attached. There is no ETA on when BEARs may be moving from the current system into EPC since we have already passed the timeline USAC projected for this to occur, so continue to follow the steps you have in the past until you hear otherwise from me.
FY2022 BEAR Deadline: October 28, 2023
FY2023 Form 486
After receiving a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) for a Funding Request Number (FRN), this form is the next step to be completed in order to request E-Rate reimbursements. The Form 486 notifies USAC that services have started and that invoicing for the E-Rate discount portion of those services can begin, and also certifies the entity's CIPA compliance.
Every FRN on every Form 471 for which you receive an FCDL must be included on a Form 486. 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. When you log into EPC and create a new Form 486, only those FY 2022 FRNs which have already received an FCDL will be available to include on a Form 486. Instructions for filing a Form 486 are attached.
FY2023 Form 486 Deadlines:
For those FY2023 FRNs in the early funding waves dated prior to July 1 (assuming services started on July 1):
October 29, 2023
For those FY2023 FRNs with an FCDL dated July 1 or later:
120 days after the date of the FCDL or the start of services (whichever is later)
*** Note that the below information applies to Networkmaine Consortium members regardless of whether they file their own E-Rate forms for additional eligible services. ***
Enrollment
Networkmaine will be holding its annual consortium enrollment for FY2024 from August 14, 2023 through September 15, 2023.
FY2024 Enrollment Deadline: September 15, 2023
Pre-Enrollment
Data collection from Networkmaine members that do not offer free and reduced lunch will be held from October 16, 2023 - November 3, 2023
FY2024 Pre-Enrollment Deadline: November 3, 2023
_________________________________________________
Anne Perloff
Maine State E-Rate Coordinator for Schools
Networkmaine, University of Maine System UMS:IT
Phone: 207-581-3584
Mail:
Networkmaine
5752 Neville Hall, Room 255
Orono, ME 04469-5752