SAM.gov and UEI Invoicing Required as of August 2026 for Service Providers and E-Rate BEAR Filers

USAC will begin using the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) banking information to pay all Universal Service Fund (USF) invoices in August 2026. 

Service providers and E-Rate participants using BEAR invoicing must have a valid bank account linked to their SAM.gov Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on their FCC Form 498.  Prior to August, payments will continue as usual. 

USAC will send emails to service providers and E-Rate BEAR applicants to make sure they have an active UEI on their FCC Form 498 and that the UEI is linked to a bank account in advance of this change.  USAC recommends starting this process as soon as possible, because it can take up to six weeks to complete.  See USAC’s new webpage for additional information including a video with step-by-step instructions for adding the UEI for your FCC Form 498.