[OPLINLIST] Fwd: E-Rate Form 498 - Adding UEI Number & Banking Info Updates

[Christine Morris]

Greetings,

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).

Lorrie Germann breaks it down here for folks who have been using BEAR
invoicing for awhile. Before August, they will need:

   - 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

The process is a little more complicated for libraries that don't have all
of those pieces in place.

Want to avoid the need to register? Consider SPI billing or OPLIN’s Managed
Branch Circuit
<https://dp2eg.r.sp1-brevo.net/mk/cl/f/i1AMObWxqseHkahVwPZGjroDvfq2Rtr6oTGL2Og3PZgzLda-J8LbNw0PB4y8Dw9RsbetiMeqILjyDX1fbOGb3F4ZuOyc0Z4JHshpo7souaSXHVht4_W-QlXkb_a94DSqsh0eNub2sn_iXcXCmQdnpThX7j-l-EYW79-7tK7K2cn6vxJaK4APwnBmhcAhcJw5vUHs7Kkcahpc7xpkHg>
options.

Please let us know if you have questions, and reach out soon; the SAM.gov
registration process can take awhile.

Best wishes,

Christine
--
Christine Morris (she/her)
Digital Resources Manager
Ohio Public Library Information Network
christine at oplin.ohio.gov
614-728-5252 (OPLIN Support)
614-728-0227 (direct)


---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Lorrie Germann <e-rate at ohio-k12.help>
Subject: E-Rate Form 498 - Adding UEI Number & Banking Info Updates



Hello E-Rate Community,

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.

E-Rate applicants who file BEAR forms and believe they have an active
SAM.gov Account, UEI, and a linked valid bank account should:

   - Log into EPC to confirm that the FCC Form 498 includes a UEI.
   - 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.

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.

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 Form-498-Filing - Updating-Guide-UEI
& Banking Info
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiYTA0ZTgzZGZhMjAwIixmYWxzZV0>
.

BEAR filers who do not think they have an active SAM.gov Account, UEI, and
a linked valid bank account should:

   - Visit SAM.gov and follow the registration process through to
   completion. Visit the SAM.gov Learn How to Register Your Entity
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiNTY3YTlkMWZjNjVjIixmYWxzZV0>
   page to get started.
   - Once registered with SAM.gov, you will be automatically assigned a
   UEI.
   - Log into SAM.gov to link the UEI to a valid bank account—specifically,
   the bank account designated to accept USF disbursements.
   - Reference the Form-498-Filing - Updating-Guide-UEI & Banking Info
   <https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiYTA0ZTgzZGZhMjAwIixmYWxzZV0>
   guide to add the UEI to the FCC Form 498.

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 SAM.gov
UEI Requirement
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiN2FmZTI3MzJjMjcxIixmYWxzZV0>
webpage.

If you have questions or need additional information, please do not
hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Lorrie
*Lorrie Germann*
State E-Rate Coordinator
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce
lorrie.germann at education.ohio.gov
740-253-1153
https://www.ohio-k12.help/e-rate-support/
<https://www.ohio-k12.help?mailpoet_router&endpoint=track&action=click&data=WyIxMTgwNSIsIjkwZjI3MzQ0ZjU0Y2U1YzM2ODM0YTMxYmVjMzE5YWNkIiwiMjgxIiwiYWUyNTdhNjA3YWViIixmYWxzZV0>
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