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Electronic Preliminary Engineering Report (ePER)

What is ePER?

The ePER is the latest innovation in the application process under development by USDA, Rural Utilities 

Service. It enables licensed professional engineers to develop an electronic Preliminary Engineering Report, a 

technical application document, directly through an interactive web based portal system. The system queries 

engineers for needed information and steps them through the process of developing a Preliminary 

Engineering Report for drinking water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater infrastructure projects, but 

the engineer maintains control of the report and their recommendations. The ePER is compatible with the RD

Apply application intake system, but is a separate system so that engineers can use the ePER to develop 

Preliminary Engineering Reports for any funding agency that accepts reports using the interagency format that 

was developed in collaboration with EPA, HUD, IHS, and state governments. 

When will the ePER be available?

Please note that the ePER system is still under development. Roll out of the new system is expected in 2017.

Why is the ePER Important?

 Secure: Only consulting engineers or their designees can access the reports. 

 Interactive: ePER prompts users for information, minimizing the time and effort involved in completing 

reports. 

 Flexible: Reports are generated in PDF and XML for easy submission to USDA and other Federal/state 

funding agencies.

 Compatible: The ePER system is compatible with the RD Apply electronic application filing system. 

A licensed professional engineer must be the lead author of each ePER. In addition, to protect your data, 

every person accessing the ePER system must have obtained secure access using a Level 2 eAuthentication 

(see the Must Haves tab for more information). After creating an ePER, the lead engineer may authorize other 

team members with an eAuthentication to also work on a designated ePER.
You Must Have Level 2 eAuthentication ID - What is it?

An identity proofing system called eAuthentication protects your data. USDA eAuthentication is the system 

used by all USDA agencies to enable customers to obtain accounts that will allow them to access USDA Web 

applications and services via the Internet in a secure manner. This includes things such as submitting forms 

electronically, submitting online applications and checking the status of accounts.

Please note that USDA will only accept eAuthentication Accounts from individuals. Currently USDA 

eAuthentication does not have a mechanism to issue accounts to businesses, corporations or other entities. 

Once you have obtained a Level 2 eAuthentication ID you will be able to access the ePER.

What will I have to do to get the Level 2 eAuthentication Account?

If you do not have a Level 2 eAuthentication Account or just have a Level 1 Account, you must submit certain 

information to the eAuthentication system, such as name, address, DOB, etc.

After your submitted information is accepted, you will be sent an activation email. You must activate the 

account from that email. That gives you partial access. Both the eAuthentication system and the email sent by

the system will tell you that you need to see a Local Registration Authority (LRA) to prove your identity. You 

may do that, or you can return to RDApply and we will verify your identity on-line by programmatically 

asking and receiving correct answers to a series of multiple choice questions that only you should know the 

answers to by utilizing an on-line service from LexisNexis.

To Register:

Please note that the ePER system is still under development. Roll out of the new system is expected in 2017!

If you don't have an eAuthentication Account select the 'Register' button.

You will be redirected to the eAuthentication system to get set up. You will be required to submit certain 

information to the eAuthentication system, such as name, address, email, DOB, etc. After your submitted 

information is accepted, you will be sent an activation email. You must activate the account from that email. 

That gives you partial access. Both the eAuthentication system and the email sent by the system will tell you 

that you then need to see a Local Registration Authority (LRA) to prove your identity. You may do that, or you 

can return to RDApply and we will verify your identity on-line by programmatically asking and receiving

correct answers to a series of multiple choice questions that only you should know the answers to by 

utilizing an on-line service from LexisNexis.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.