Schools and Libraries
About the Schools and Libraries Program:
- Overview of the Program
- Overview of the Process
- Outreach and Training
- HATS Outreach
- Filing Appeals
- Understanding Audits
Schools and Libraries Tools:
Step 11: Invoice USAC
After eligible services have been delivered, service providers and school and library applicants may submit invoices for Universal Service Fund (USF) support.
FCC rules require USAC to pay universal service support to service providers and not directly to applicants. However, two invoice methods and program forms exist:
Service Provider Invoice (SPI) (Form 474)
Service providers may submit Form 474 to USAC seeking payment for services:
- After the service provider provides the services or equipment to the applicant
- After the billed entity submits the Receipt of Service Confirmation Form (Form 486) verifying the service start date
- After the service provider has provided a discounted bill to the billed entity
Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Form (Form 472)
The billed entity and the service provider must jointly submit the BEAR form:
- Following the receipt of discounted eligible services
- After the billed entity submits the Form 486
- After the billed entity has paid the total amount (including the applicant's non-discount share and the amount of USF support to be paid by USAC) to the service provider
Determining Invoice Method
Applicants should work with service providers to include a provision in contracts or service agreements specifying whether customer bills will be the total cost of services or only the customer's non-discount share. Service providers may provide applicants with discounted bills and submit the SPI to request payment from USAC for the amount of USF support to be paid. Service providers and applicants may jointly submit the BEAR when the applicant has paid the entire cost of services to the service provider. In all cases, USAC pays support to the service provider.
Service Delivery and Invoice Deadlines
The date of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter determines deadlines for service delivery and invoices. Under certain conditions, applicants may request extensions of program deadlines.
