<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>Greetings,<br><br>As mentioned in the most recent issue of the OPLIN Circuit, there are changes coming for libraries who file for E-Rate and choose to use BEAR invoicing for reimbursement (rather than service-provider discounted invoices).</div><div><br></div><div>Lorrie Germann breaks it down here for folks who have been using BEAR invoicing for awhile. Before August, they will need:</div><div><ul><li>an active SAM.gov account, </li><li>a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498, and </li><li>a valid bank account associated with their SAM.gov account</li></ul></div><div>The process is a little more complicated for libraries that don't have all of those pieces in place.</div><div><br></div><div>Want to avoid the need to register? Consider SPI billing or OPLIN’s <a href="https://dp2eg.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/cl/f/i1AMObWxqseHkahVwPZGjroDvfq2Rtr6oTGL2Og3PZgzLda-J8LbNw0PB4y8Dw9RsbetiMeqILjyDX1fbOGb3F4ZuOyc0Z4JHshpo7souaSXHVht4_W-QlXkb_a94DSqsh0eNub2sn_iXcXCmQdnpThX7j-l-EYW79-7tK7K2cn6vxJaK4APwnBmhcAhcJw5vUHs7Kkcahpc7xpkHg">Managed Branch Circuit</a> options. </div><div><br>Please let us know if you have questions, and reach out soon; the SAM.gov registration process can take awhile.<br><br>Best wishes,<br><br>Christine </div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>--</div><div>Christine Morris (she/her)<br></div><div>Digital Resources Manager<br></div><div>Ohio Public Library Information Network</div><div><a href="mailto:christine@oplin.ohio.gov" target="_blank">christine@oplin.ohio.gov</a></div><div>614-728-5252 (OPLIN Support)</div><div>614-728-0227 (direct)<br></div></div></div></div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">---------- Forwarded message ---------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername" dir="auto">Lorrie Germann</b> <span dir="auto"><e-rate@ohio-k12.help></span><br>Subject: E-Rate Form 498 - Adding UEI Number & Banking Info Updates<br><br></div><br><br><div>
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Hello E-Rate Community,<br><br>
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Per the April News Brief, USAC reminds us that, beginning in August 2026, they will use SAM.gov banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices. To continue receiving USF disbursements, all service providers and E-Rate participants who use the FCC Form 472/BEAR for invoicing must have an active SAM.gov account, a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498, and a valid bank account associated with their SAM.gov account.<br><br>E-Rate applicants who file <span> </span>BEAR forms and believe they have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account should: <br>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Log into EPC to confirm that the FCC Form 498 includes a UEI.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Log into SAM.gov to confirm that the UEI is connected to a valid bank account—specifically, the bank account designated to accept USF disbursements, the SAM.gov account is active, and check the annual renewal due date.</li>
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After completing these steps, E-Rate applicants who file BEARs will be set to continue receiving USF disbursements. Please remember that you must renew your SAM.gov account annually. The renewal due date is included in your account on SAM.gov. You will not be able to receive USF disbursements if your SAM.gov account becomes inactive. <br><br>
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<span style="color:#ee0000">For step-by-step instructions on updating the Form 498, or how to file a new Form 498 if there is not a current approved form in EPC, I’ve provided a guide you can access by clicking on <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiYTA0ZTgzZGZhMjAwIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Form-498-Filing - Updating-Guide-UEI & Banking Info</a>.</span><br><br>BEAR filers who do not think they have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account should: <br>
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<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Visit SAM.gov and follow the registration process through to completion. Visit the SAM.gov <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiNTY3YTlkMWZjNjVjIixmYWxzZV0" title="Learn How to Register Your Entity" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Learn How to Register Your Entity</a> page to get started.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Once registered with SAM.gov, you will be automatically assigned a UEI. </li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Log into SAM.gov to link the UEI to a valid bank account—specifically, the bank account designated to accept USF disbursements.</li>
<li style="color:#000000;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:15px;line-height:24px;text-align:left;margin-bottom:10px">Reference the <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiYTA0ZTgzZGZhMjAwIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">Form-498-Filing - Updating-Guide-UEI & Banking Info</a> guide to add the UEI to the FCC Form 498.</li>
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Because the SAM.gov registration process can take up to six weeks, USAC recommends starting as soon as possible. For more information, visit USAC’s <a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiN2FmZTI3MzJjMjcxIixmYWxzZV0" title="SAM.gov UEI Requirement" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">SAM.gov UEI Requirement</a> webpage.<br><br>
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If you have questions or need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
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<br>Sincerely,
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<br>Lorrie
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State E-Rate Coordinator<br><span>Ohio Department of Education & Workforce</span><br><span><a href="mailto:lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov" target="_blank">lorrie.germann@education.ohio.gov</a></span><br><span>740-253-1153</span><br><span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:107%;font-family:'Calibri',sans-serif"><a href="https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiYWUyNTdhNjA3YWViIixmYWxzZV0" style="color:#21759b;text-decoration:underline" target="_blank">https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/</a></span><br>
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