Step 5 Invoicing

USAC can process invoices from either the applicant or the service provider after the following have occurred:

• USAC has issued a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) with a positive funding commitment;
• Services have started (Note that USAC can process invoices for progress payments after review of the contract if it includes a specific payment schedule);
• The applicant has submitted, and USAC has successfully processed, an FCC Form 486; and
• The service provider has filed an FCC Form 473 for the relevant funding year.

There are two methods that can be used to invoice USAC. Once USAC has processed an invoice for a Funding Request Number (FRN), that method of invoicing must be used for that FRN for the remainder of the invoicing process.

Invoicing Method #1

Applicants file the FCC Form 472, Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form if they have paid you in full for the services and want to be reimbursed for the discount amount.

You must approve the form before it is submitted to USAC. USAC will review the BEAR Form and process a payment to you if payment is approved. You then pass the reimbursement amount on to the applicant.

Approving BEAR Forms

Applicants can file BEAR Forms online or on paper. You approve a paper BEAR Form by completing page 4 of the paper form and returning it to the applicant. The applicant then includes the completed page 4 in its submission.

If the applicant files a BEAR Form online, you must approve it online.

Invoicing Method #2

You file the FCC Form 474, Service Provider Invoice (SPI) Form if you have billed the applicant for the non-discount amount (the applicant’s share of the cost) and want to be reimbursed for the discount amount.

USAC will review the SPI Form and process a payment to you if payment is approved.

The applicant is always required to pay the non-discount portion of the cost of the services.

Filing SPI Forms

SPI Forms do not contain certifications. You have already made the appropriate certifications for the funding year on your FCC Form 473. Consequently, you have a number of options for completing and submitting a SPI Form:

• You can file online
• You can file electronically. USAC will set you up for electronic invoicing upon request. You can then submit your invoice information to USAC in a comma-delimited file.
• You can file on paper

Filing Deadlines

Invoices must be submitted no later than 120 days after the last day to receive service or 120 days after the FCC Form 486 Notification Letter date, whichever is later. If you miss this deadline you can request an invoice deadline extension.

USAC Communications

USAC issues a copy of the applicant’s BEAR Notification Letter to you after a BEAR Form is processed. If there is a reduction or denial of the amount on the BEAR Form, you can refer to the invoice error code(s) featured on the letter for more information.

USAC issues you an Invoice Status Report after processing a SPI Form. You can subscribe to receive the information in this report electronically. As above, if there is a reduction or denial of the amount on the SPI Form, you can refer to the invoice error code(s) featured on the letter for more information.

Next Step

For many service providers, invoicing is the last step in the process. However, if you have changes, corrections, or other activities outside of the regular application process, you should review the information in the Before You’re Done section.