Receive continued support from Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) during the transition. If you operate a system that connects with IAE systems, documentation about using APIs to access SAM.gov is found at is open.GSA.gov. FPDS released a crosswalk to populate the Unique Entity ID in contract actions in agency systems. The OFR has argued that several key datasets — including call reports filed by banks, securities financial reports and offering materials — should require unique entity identifier update use of the LEI. Data about the relationships can show networks of control, ownership, liability, and risks, giving financial regulators deeper insights into how market participants are connected to each other.

UEI Technical Specifications and API Information

Grants.gov will continue to work with GSA regarding these upcoming changes. Entities that conduct business with the federal government will begin to use a Unique Entity Identifier created in SAM.gov. Effective April 4, 2022, the federal government will no longer use the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number to uniquely identify federal contractors. As a result, federal contractors will be required to obtain a UEI number from SAM.gov and update that number in E-Verify. Many systems outside of the GSA interface with award data and information, including Unique Entity ID data. For detailed applicant information, review the Applicants section of the online user guide.

Processing delays plagued the DUNS system, particularly for newer businesses without established commercial credit histories. These delays could prevent businesses from responding to time-sensitive procurement opportunities, effectively excluding them from competition. The Unique Entity ID is the official identifier for doing business with the U.S. If you are not already registered on SAM.gov, apply as early as possible. If you are already registered but have not recently renewed your registration, renew as soon as possible. The committee consulted with private industry to develop a central operating unit, the Global LEI Foundation, which began taking operational responsibility in late 2014.

• Response to verification requests should be prompt to avoid delays in federal business activities.
• In the United States and Europe, LEI use was first used in swaps regulation.
• The GSA coordinated with federal agencies to validate the accuracy of automatically assigned UEIs, maintaining data integrity throughout the allocation process.
• After decades of relying on Dun & Bradstreet’s private numbering system, agencies recognized fundamental flaws that hindered efficient procurement and created unnecessary barriers for businesses.
• As a result, federal contractors will be required to obtain a UEI number from SAM.gov and update that number in E-Verify.

Timeline of the UEI Rollout

Visit UEI Technical Specifications and API Information page to learn more about UEI/EVS technical specifications for interfacing systems and sample data extracts. When using the Workspace online webforms in Safari, when I click on the View Attachments button nothing happens? You will need to allow pop-up windows in order to view attachments in Workspace online webforms. Can I copy and paste information into my Grants.gov application from a Microsoft Word document?

Which Number Links to Your CAGE Code or Federal Awards?

• The General Services Administration implemented an automatic UEI allocation process for existing SAM.gov registrants to streamline the transition.
• Federal agencies conducted comprehensive audits to verify UEI integration across government platforms following the transition.
• By transitioning to UEI, your UEI number will be assigned via SAM.gov and the entire process will be under one government website.
• This system prioritizes speed, accuracy, and accessibility over the complex commercial considerations that characterized the DUNS era.
• If you are already registered but have not recently renewed your registration, renew as soon as possible.

Effective April 4, 2022, the Federal Government transitioned from using the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number, to a new, non-proprietary identifier known as a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI. For entities that had an active registration in SAM.gov prior to April 4, 2022, the UEI has automatically been assigned and no action is necessary. Train your staff to think “UEI first” for all federal activities and eliminate DUNS references from federal business processes. The federal procurement landscape has permanently shifted to UEI-based identification. Understanding and embracing this change is essential for continued success in government markets. If verification is required, you’ll receive an email notification with specific steps to complete the process.

Frequently Asked Questions by Applicants

If you only conduct certain types of transactions, such as reporting as a sub-awardee, you may not need to complete an entity registration. This transition was prompted by the fact that in order to receive your DUNS Number, business owners would have to go through a third-party entity, Dun and Bradstreet. This not only means business owners would have to interface with a third party for obtaining a DUNS number, but would also have to use the third-party help desk if any complications arose. Find registration, search, and application instructions for all users in the Grants.gov Online User Guide. GSA published updated technical specifications, which include the new SAM-generated UEI, for interfacing systems in December 2019.

Your UEI now serves as the primary key connecting all federal business data. This includes your CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) Code, past performance records, compliance history, and active contract portfolio. Refer to the Guide to Getting a Unique Entity ID if you want to get a Unique Entity ID for your organization without having to complete an entity registration. However, some SAM.gov users have experienced delays due to the high demand for entity validation.

UEI Operations Within the Federal Processing Registry SAM.gov

The majority of applications generate UEIs immediately upon submission. Delays typically occur only when submitted information conflicts with existing federal records or requires additional verification due to complex business structures. The SAM.gov homepage prominently features UEI request functionality. This direct access means you can obtain a UEI without completing full SAM registration, though most federal contractors will eventually need to complete SAM profiles. Login.gov serves as the secure gateway to federal systems, including SAM.gov. If you’re new to federal contracting, you’ll need to create this account first using multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.

Maintaining both provides maximum flexibility for diverse business activities. The system clearly separates UEI requests from full SAM registration to prevent confusion and streamline the process for entities that only need the identifier initially. The transition from DUNS to UEI creates both opportunities and requirements that directly impact your federal business development strategy. However, attempting to use DUNS for any federal application will result in immediate rejection.

Passwords are valid for 60 days and will not be valid on the 61st day onward. If your account is already linked to Login.gov or any other 2 factor provider, you will not need this password to log in. If you have not yet linked your Grants.gov account to Login.gov, you will be given an opportunity to do so during the linking process. Please consult Login.gov help center for assistance with logging in. For more information, read the Workspace Roles page and the Manage Organization Profile help article. Generate and download Entity Extracts, Exclusions Extracts, and Responsibility/Qualification data reports (formerly in fapiis.gov).

These steps laid the foundation for a more efficient and standardized approach to entity identification for businesses and organizations engaging with federal agencies. Entities can verify and update their Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) record details through the SAM.gov platform. The system provides a secure interface for organizations to review their UEI information, ensuring accuracy and compliance with federal regulations. We then competed and awarded a new contract for entity validation services which is not connected to the identifier itself.

Web Services

The private ownership model also created information access limitations. The OFR, acting under its statutory mandate to prepare and publish a financial company reference database and its mandates pertaining to data standards and standardization, was instrumental in this effort. In November 2010, the OFR issued a policy statement calling for a global LEI system. Representatives from the financial industry welcomed the call, responded with a proposed solution, and worked together through the FSB to develop a global LEI system.