Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- Site Visits
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Step 9: Electronic Invoicing
Service providers that invoice USAC frequently are encouraged to sign up for electronic invoicing.
USAC strongly encourages electronic invoicing for service providers that will frequently bill USAC. Electronic invoicing speeds USAC processing. There won't be a big time savings for service providers that only submit a few invoices or that submit only a few line items for each invoice. Those service providers should use the online filing option for the Form 474.
Below is a brief description of the process for electronic invoice submissions.
- Service providers interested in electronic invoicing should send a message via email requesting to be set up for Electronic Notifications and Electronic Invoicing. Please include the SPIN and email address where you wish to receive the notifications and invoicing.
- Upon receipt of your e-mail indicating a desire to invoice USAC electronically, USAC will electronically send information to establish an electronic invoicing relationship.
- You may use Pretty Good Protection (PGP) Software in order to encrypt electronic invoice submissions prior to submission. Once installed, the service provider may use PGP to send and/or receive encrypted files. This is optional and not required to submit an invoice.
- You must create your Service Provider Invoice Form in a comma delimited format, encrypt it using PGP (optional), and send it as an e-mail attachment to an e-mail address that will be specified in the instruction materials sent by USAC.
- The attachment will be received by USAC, and automatically decrypted via PGP, if necessary. You will receive a receipt of confirmation from USAC.
- The file will then be processed and checked for errors. If there are errors in the file that prevent it from being processed, an error file [with an *.EIN extension] will be sent to the email address that is specified in the filename of the specific invoice file.
- Once any errors have been corrected, your invoice should be resubmitted.
- Once the invoice file has been validated, an Invoice Status Report will be sent to the address specified in your request for Electronic Notifications.
