e2e Exchange newsletter — blog edition
Funding Year 2025 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026) is ending. Funding Year 2026 is underway. A few actions now will protect your reimbursements and set up next year’s filing.
File your FY 2025 BEAR reimbursements
e2e has emailed your FY 2025 BEAR expenditure documents for monthly internet from July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
What we need: copies of all 12 monthly invoices, every page, July 2025 through June 2026.
We will calculate the eligible monthly amount and file for your maximum reimbursement. Once USAC approves, funds go by direct deposit.
As soon as the June invoice arrives, email the full set to your e2e representative. The sooner we have the invoices, the sooner the E-Rate reimbursement can be filed.
Category Two projects — deadline September 30
If you have approved Category Two projects for Funding Year 2025, finish non-recurring work by September 30. Then send invoices to e2e so we can file your BEAR reimbursements.
Funding Year 2026 is open
PIA requests
USAC is reviewing applications. When they have questions, they issue a Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) request. e2e is the main contact on your application, so PIA requests come to us in EPC. We answer them for you. If USAC asks for something we do not have on file, we will contact you.
Funding Commitment Decision Letters
When USAC issues your FCDL, you will be notified and receive a copy for your records. e2e files Form 486 as soon as the FCDL is released.
Confirm invoicing method
Tell us now whether you want SPI (Service Provider Invoice) or BEAR (Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement) so reimbursements are not delayed.
Start Funding Year 2027 planning this summer
Keep these items on the calendar:
- Prepare early. FY 2027 runs July 1, 2027 – June 30, 2028. The Form 470 window typically opens July 1. Summer planning leaves time for an RFP that covers all services and equipment.
- Assess infrastructure. Review current networks and internet contracts. Finalize an equipment and services list so we can file Form 470 and plan Form 471.
- Category Two budget. e2e will calculate your C2 budget and help you plan against it.
Action required: add your SAM.gov UEI to Form 498
USAC now requires all applicants to obtain a SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and add it to FCC Form 498 in EPC.
If you do not have a SAM.gov account, register there—including your bank account. When SAM.gov says your UEI is active, log into EPC and add it to Form 498.
Use the same Tax ID (TIN) you used for your FCC Registration Number.
SAM.gov registration must be renewed every year on the SAM.gov site.
e2e cannot complete SAM.gov or the Form 498 UEI entry for you. Contact us if you have questions about the steps.
E-Rate 101 presentation
e2e has an online E-Rate 101 presentation covering program basics, timelines, and the new Category Two budget cycle. Use it to refresh staff who file or approve E-Rate work.
Cybersecurity Pilot Program
The FCC has issued six waves of FCDLs so far, committing about $102 million. As an e2e client, you receive a copy of each of your FCDLs. Questions on status go to your e2e Account Specialist.
FCC: new bidding portal for FY 2028
On April 30, 2026, the FCC adopted a Report and Order that creates an E-Rate competitive bidding portal and simplifies several program rules.
The portal
It will be live for Funding Year 2028. Form 470s certified on or after July 1, 2027 go through the portal.
After the 470 is certified, bidding happens in one place:
- Providers upload bids in the portal instead of sending them only to the applicant
- Applicants get notified in the portal
- Questions, answers, evaluations, award notices, and contracts must be uploaded there
Documents in the portal satisfy E-Rate’s 10-year retention rule, so you are not required to keep a separate local archive for those files.
Access is limited to the school or library account administrator plus up to two other people, including consultants. USAC will offer training before launch.
Other rule changes (FY 2028):
- Form 486 is eliminated. CIPA compliance will be certified on Form 471.
- Invoice deadline extensions. A one-time 120-day extension can be requested within 15 days after the original deadline—no FCC waiver.
- Mid-year bandwidth increases. A service substitution can raise bandwidth for unanticipated need during the year. The original funding commitment amount does not increase.
- Spam bids. Incomplete cost information or bids that only tell you to “contact the provider” may be disqualified. Document the reason.
New Category Two budget multipliers — FY 2026–2030
The FCC announced inflation-adjusted C2 budgets for the next five-year cycle (about a 20.7% increase).
Funding floors
- Smaller schools and libraries: $30,175 (was $25,000)
- Tribal libraries: $66,385 (was $55,000)
Budget multipliers
- Schools and districts: $201.57 per student (was $167)
- Libraries and systems: $5.43 per square foot (was $4.50)
The first year you apply for Category Two in this cycle, you must validate student enrollment or library square footage. That figure locks your C2 budget for the full five years.
FY 2026 funding so far
Wave 9 of FCDLs was issued June 25. FY 2026 commitments are just over $1.2 billion to date. USAC estimates about $3.5 billion in total requests for the year.
e2e tracks each FCDL and forwards your copy. For status, contact your Account Specialist.
How is e2e doing?
If support is missing something you need, tell us. Long-term relationships matter, and feedback is welcome.
e2e Exchange, LLC helps schools and libraries with E-Rate compliance and application management—deadlines, documentation, and maximizing funding. Questions and emails are answered by the team that already has your file.
