1. E-rate BEAR Form Lauren Abner Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives

2. E-rate cycle Form 470 Form 471 Form 486 BEAR or SPI

3. 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 http://www.usac.org/sl/applicants/step07/invoice- extensions.aspx

4. 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

5. http://www.sl.universalservice.org

6. Questions about your PIN? Call 888-203-8100 or use the online Submit a Question form. 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.

7. 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 lauren.abner@ky.gov 1728

8. 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). 07/01/201554061114979561655911591.370 Add additional FRNs using this button. To be included on this BEAR form, they must be from the same service provider.

9. Sample form Check all of these.

10. 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

11. Next step The BEAR is not complete until it is certified (online) or signed (on paper) by your service provider.

12. http://www.sl.universalservice.org Checking the status of your BEAR

13. Incomplete invoices will be displayed on the BEAR Home page. These sample BEARs are incomplete, awaiting service provider certification.

14. http://www.usac.org/sl Alternative to online form : filing on paper Select forms, and choose Form 472 (or BEAR) on the next screen.

15. Filing on paper Make sure the form is dated July 2013! Old forms will be rejected. Use Internet Explorer or Firefox as your browser.

16. 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 tool

17. 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.

18. 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 472 P.O. Box 7026 Lawrence, KS 66044-7026 It must be postmarked by October 28, 2016!

19. Please contact me if you have any questions. Lauren Abner Technology Consultant Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives lauren.abner@ky.gov 502-564-1728