DUNS Number Gets Replaced By Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
The federal government has introduced a new unique entity identifier known as the Unique Entity ID, which has replaced the D-U-N-S Number. This change has implications for small businesses, and it’s important to understand what actions need to be taken in response.
A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a new identifier that has been introduced by the federal government to replace the D-U-N-S number. UEI is a unique identifier assigned to organizations, entities, and individuals who are eligible to receive federal financial assistance, including grants and contracts. The UEI is used by the federal government to track and manage financial assistance and to reduce the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse in the federal assistance program.
What is a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)?
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is generated and maintained by the System for Award Management (SAM), which is the official U.S. government system for consolidated award management information. SAM is used by the federal government to manage the procurement process and to maintain accurate and up-to-date information about organizations that receive federal financial assistance.
Small businesses that wish to receive federal financial assistance may need to obtain a UEI in order to participate in the procurement process. Obtaining a UEI typically involves providing basic information about the business, such as its legal name, physical address, and taxpayer identification number.
If your business or nonprofit is already listed in the System for Award Management (SAM) database, either as an active or inactive entity, you already have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). You can locate it on the SAM.gov website.
If your business or nonprofit has not yet registered with SAM.gov, you will receive a UEI as part of the registration process. Registration on the SAM.gov website is free of charge.
Is the Unique Entity Identifier the Same as DUNS?
No, the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is not the same as the D-U-N-S (Data Universal Numbering System) number. The UEI is a new identifier that has been introduced by the federal government to replace the D-U-N-S number for organizations and entities that receive federal financial assistance, including grants and contracts.
The D-U-N-S number, on the other hand, is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B), a leading global provider of business information and data analytics. The D-U-N-S number is widely used as a standard identifier for businesses, especially in the United States, for purposes such as credit reporting, loan applications, and government contract bidding.
In summary, the UEI and D-U-N-S number serve different purposes and are assigned by different entities. However, businesses that receive federal financial assistance may need to obtain both a UEI and a D-U-N-S number.
How Do I Find My UEI Number?
You can find your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number by following these steps:
- Go to the System for Award Management (SAM) website: Visit the SAM.gov website at https://www.sam.gov/.
- Log in to your account: If you have already registered your business or nonprofit with SAM.gov, log in to your account using your username and password.
- Access your entity information: Once you have logged in, go to the “My SAM” section and click on the “Entity” tab to access your entity information.
- Find your UEI number: Your UEI number should be listed on the “Entity” page, along with other information about your business or nonprofit.
If you have not yet registered with SAM.gov, you will receive a UEI number as part of the registration process. The UEI number is assigned automatically by SAM.gov when you complete the registration process and provide the required information about your business or nonprofit.
It’s important to note that the UEI number is a critical component of the federal government’s procurement process, and businesses and nonprofits that receive federal financial assistance will need to provide their UEI number in order to participate in procurement opportunities and receive funding.
How Do I Get A UEI Number?
You can get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number by registering with the System for Award Management (SAM) website. The steps to register for a UEI number are as follows:
- Go to the SAM.gov website: Visit the SAM.gov website at https://www.sam.gov/.
- Click on the “Register” button: On the SAM.gov homepage, click on the “Register” button to start the registration process.
- Complete the registration form: You will be asked to provide information about your business or nonprofit, such as its legal name, physical address, taxpayer identification number, and other relevant details.
- Validate your email address: After completing the registration form, you will receive an email with instructions on how to validate your email address. Follow the instructions to complete this step.
- Review and submit the registration form: After validating your email address, you will be able to review your registration form and submit it.
- Wait for confirmation: After submitting the registration form, you will receive an email confirmation that your registration has been received and is being processed.
- Receive your UEI number: After your registration has been processed, you will receive an email with your UEI number and other important information about your entity’s registration with SAM.gov.
It’s important to note that registering with SAM.gov is free of charge, and having a UEI number is a critical component of the federal government’s procurement process. Businesses and nonprofits that receive federal financial assistance will need to provide their UEI number in order to participate in procurement opportunities and receive funding.
Does My Business Need a UEI?
According to the US General Services Administration, the DUNS number is no longer present in searches, views, or extracts in SAM.gov. This doesn’t mean that your business no longer has a DUNS number, just that it is no longer used within the federal government’s Integrated Award Environment (IAE), which manages several systems including SAM.gov, FPDS, eSRS, FSRS, CPARS and FAPIIS.
Whether your business needs a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) depends on whether it receives federal financial assistance, including grants and contracts, from the United States government.
If your business is registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and participates in procurement opportunities or receives federal funding, it is required to have a UEI. The UEI is used by the federal government to identify entities and track the distribution of federal funds.
If your business does not receive federal financial assistance, it is not required to have a UEI. However, obtaining a UEI number through SAM.gov registration can be a useful tool for tracking your business’s interactions with the federal government and streamlining your participation in procurement opportunities.
In summary, while having a UEI number is not a requirement for all businesses, it is mandatory for businesses that receive federal financial assistance and can be beneficial for businesses that interact with the federal government in other ways.
Does My Business Still Need a DUNS Number?
The DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number is no longer a requirement for businesses that receive federal financial assistance, as it has been replaced by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as the primary identifier for entities in the System for Award Management (SAM).
If your business is already registered in SAM.gov and has a DUNS number, it will still be recognized as a valid identifier, but the UEI is now the preferred identifier for entities in SAM.
If your business does not receive federal financial assistance and does not interact with the federal government, it may not need either a DUNS number or a UEI. However, it is advisable for small businesses to obtain a DUNS number, as it serves as an identifier in the Dun & Bradstreet commercial credit reporting system. If your business does not have one, you can easily request a DUNS number, which stands for Data Universal Numbering System, for free.
In conclusion, if your business is interested in participating in procurement opportunities or receiving federal funding, it will need to obtain a UEI by registering in SAM.gov and while the DUNS number is still recognized as a valid identifier, the UEI is now the preferred identifier for entities in SAM, and is mandatory for businesses that receive federal financial assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Can I Get Help with My UEI or SAM.gov?
If you need assistance with your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), or SAM.gov, you can first check the FAQs on SAM.gov related to the UEI transition. If you are still unable to resolve your issue, you can seek help from the Federal Service Desk (FSD.gov) website or reach out to an FSD agent for support during their business hours of 8 AM to 8 PM Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
Will the government reach out to me through a phone call or email regarding my Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)?
It is unlikely that the government will contact you via phone or email specifically about your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The responsibility of obtaining and maintaining a UEI falls on the entity, and any updates or changes to the UEI should be made through the SAM.gov portal. If you have any questions or concerns about your UEI, it is best to reach out to the Federal Service Desk (FSD.gov) for assistance.
Beware of unsolicited calls or emails regarding your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Do not disclose personal or business information to these individuals. Instead, log into your SAM.gov account to manage your registration and ensure that your UEI is up to date.
How Do I Update My Business Information?
It is now possible to update the legal name or physical address of your business through SAM.gov, rather than having to go to Dun & Bradstreet as was previously necessary.
Will My UEI Expire?
Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) does not have an expiration date. However, it is important to keep your UEI up-to-date by regularly updating any changes to your business information in SAM.gov. This will help to ensure that the information associated with your UEI remains accurate and up-to-date.
Is There a Cost to Get A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)?
No, there is no cost to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The registration process for a UEI is free and can be completed through SAM.gov. The government uses UEIs to keep track of businesses and organizations registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. Obtaining a UEI is a simple process that can be done online, and it helps to ensure that your business information is accurate and up-to-date.
