How to File FCC Form 472 in EPC
Before filing a BEAR Form, applicants must complete the following steps in order:
- Set up an account within the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC).
- Obtain an applicant 498 ID by filing the FCC Form 498 (Service Provider and Billed Entity Identification Number and General Contact Information Form).
- The FCC Form 498 collects the contact and banking information USAC needs to reimburse the applicant directly
- USAC verifies the information and approves the FCC Form 498 for invoicing
- The applicant receives an applicant 498 ID
- Â Request access to invoicing from your Account Administrator
Once all requirements have been met and the Applicant has selected a method of invoicing, the process of submitting and certifying an invoice can begin.
Filing for 2016 and Forward
To file a BEAR Form for funding years 2016 and onward, applicants must:
- Log in to One Portal to access the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC).
- Click the EPC E-Rate Invoicing Dashboard and click on the waffle icon at the top right of the My Applicant Landing Page.
- Click on EPC Invoice.
- Click on File FCC Form 472/BEAR. This will lead users with partial or full rights access to the FCC Form 472 page to complete the form. Please note, users with view-only access cannot see this option nor access this page.
Submitting Your Invoice
A full-rights user can complete the entire process of submitting and certifying an invoice. A partial rights user can submit an invoice for certification by a full-rights user. These rights are assigned by your Account Administrator. To learn how this process works in detail, including what actions can be completed based on your rights, please see the Electronic Learning Module linked below. Course Summary
Applicant Course 1: Submitting & Certifying Invoices in EPC
Applicant Course 1: Submitting & Certifying Invoices for Applicants helps learners
- Successfully navigate EPC
- File FCC Form 472 (BEAR)
- Certify FCC Form 472 (BEAR)
Managing and Checking the Status of Your Invoice
After you submit and certify an invoice, you may want to check its status. To learn how, please see the Electronic Learning Module linked below. Course Summary
Applicant Course 2: Invoice Management and Status in EPC
Applicant Course 2: Invoice Management and Status for Applicants helps learners
- Explore the features of an invoice record
- Review invoice status
- Review invoice line status
Receive Notifications and Respond to Outreach About Your Invoice
After invoicing, you may receive notifications or be required to respond to outreach. This task can be completed within EPC. For a full discussion of invoicing management and status, including finding key information within an invoice record, understanding the different statuses that can appear on your invoice/line and creating an Invoice Line Summary Status Report, please see the Electronic Learning Module linked below. Course Summary
Application Course 3: Invoice Notifications and Outreach in EPC
Applicant Course 3: Invoicing Notification and Outreach for Applicants helps learners
- Respond to outreach
- Locate system notifications
- Request extensions
- Contact USAC
Filing for 2015 and Prior
To file an FCC Form 472/BEAR for FY2015 and prior, download and complete the FCC Form 472 PDF. To submit the invoice, create a customer service case using these instructions and attach the completed FCC Form 472 PDF.
For questions related to invoices filed within or before Funding Year 2015 (FY2015), please contact the E-Rate Customer Service Center (CSC) by creating a case in EPC or by calling (888) 203-8100, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET.
After Filing FCC Form 472
USAC certifies the FCC Form 472 (BEAR Form) and sends an FCC Form 472 BEAR Notification Letter to the EPC Newsfeed of both the applicant and the service provider listed on the Form.
USAC also sends a BEAR Remittance Statement to the General Financial Contact found on the approved applicant FCC Form 498 through EPC. This notice explains the BEAR payments made to the banking account associated with the applicant’s approved FCC Form 498 ID. Applicants can locate their Applicant 498 ID in the Basic Information section of an invoice within the E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC).
USAC identifies the reimbursed invoice line item(s), as well as erroneous or improperly formatted invoice line item(s) submitted on the associated form in the BEAR Notification Letter and also in the BEAR Remittance Statement. Erroneous or improperly formatted invoice line items are identified in the letter with a decision code and an explanation. The Invoice Decision Codes table describes the most common invoice decision codes in plain language and includes historical decision explanations for letters issued before October 1, 2020.
For detailed information on disbursements issued, view the Invoicing section of the Tools page.