What are DUNS Numbers and Why are They Important?

A Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, issued by the credit bureau, Dun & Bradstreet. It is used globally and is assigned to over 300 million businesses. It can be thought of as a business’s social security number or SSN, but it must be requested rather than automatically assigned.

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So, why are DUNS numbers important? They are mandatory for applying for federal grants or contracts. The federal government uses them to track the allocation of federal funds. Additionally, other government institutions, such as the European Commission and the United Nations, may use them as part of their vetting process and risk assessment for United States organizations.

Private companies may also use them to verify a business’s credibility as a vendor or customer. For example, Apple requires DUNS numbers for all developers who list apps on their App Store.

How to get a DUNS Number

In obtaining a DUNS number, you will need to provide Dun & Bradstreet with information about your business, including:

Legal Name
Headquarters Name and Address for your Organization
Doing Business As (DBA) or Other Name by which your Organization is Commonly Known or Recognized
Physical Address, City, State, and Zip Code
Mailing Address (if separate from Headquarters and/or Physical Address)
Telephone Number
Contact Name and Title
Number of Employees at your Physical Location

If you are unsure if your business already has a DUNS number, you can call Dun & Bradstreet and confirm.

DUNS Numbers vs. EIN Numbers

It is important to note that DUNS numbers are not the same as EIN numbers (Employer Identification Numbers), which are issued by the IRS for tax purposes. EIN numbers can change over time, while DUNS numbers remain the same for the life of the business.

Transition to UEI Numbers

In April 2022, SAM.gov will be replacing DUNS numbers with UEI numbers (Unique Entity Identifier). If your business already has a DUNS number, you will automatically be assigned a UEI and will not need to re-apply. You can verify your UEI through SAM.gov. If you do not already have a DUNS number, you will need to apply for a UEI through SAM.gov.

Tips for Maintaining an Accurate DUNS Number

To ensure that your DUNS number remains accurate, it is important to keep the following tips in mind:

Keep your contact information up to date with Dun & Bradstreet
Notify Dun & Bradstreet of any changes to your business, such as a change in ownership, legal name, or DBA name
Update your DUNS number if you move your business to a new location
Make sure to include your DUNS number on all official documents and correspondence.

DUNS numbers vs. EIN numbers

Because of a number of similarities, DUNS numbers for your business can often be confused with EIN numbers (which also happens to be a nine-digit number). EIN numbers, or federal tax IDs, are issued by the IRS for tax purposes, while DUNS numbers are issued by Dun & Bradstreet. DUNS numbers also remain the same for the entire life of the business, while EIN numbers can change.

Transition to UEI numbers

Now that you have a better understanding of what DUNS numbers are and what purpose they serve, we should discuss the upcoming changes to them. In April 2022, SAM.gov will be phasing out DUNS numbers and replacing them with their own Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This is largely to remove the third-party middleman of Dun & Bradstreet and streamline the process on their end.

The good news is that if you already have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, including inactive registrations, you have already been assigned a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). You can use the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website to verify this and it should be right below your DUNS number. If you do not have a DUNS number, you will need to apply for one and then submit an application for a UEI.

However, the process for obtaining a new UEI number after April 4, 2022, will be relatively equivalent, just through SAM.gov rather than Dun & Bradstreet. This means that whether you’re applying for a DUNS number before April 4 or applying for a UEI number after April 4, the process streamlining is primarily for the government — not for you, the business owner.

Only one step in a longer federal registration process

Having a DUNS/UEI number is only one step in the process of registering for federal work. To learn how to register, one must first obtain a DUNS/UEI number. Once you have that, you can begin the SAM registration process, apply for a CAGE Code, and start searching for contracts on the federal marketplace. There can be different hurdles that pop up depending on the type of business you have, where it’s located, and more.

Alternatively, FedBiz Access, a qualified federal marketplace team, can register you for a unique identifier number and handle the rest. Plus, they can help you market your business to secure better contracts and funding, freeing you to focus on running it.

Using these guidelines, you can ensure that your DUNS is precise and your business is represented accurately in the government contracting process.

We hope this comprehensive guide has helped you understand the role of DUNS numbers in the federal contracting process and the upcoming transition to UEI numbers. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at FedBiz Access.

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