Unlike the predictable nine-digit DUNS format, UEIs use a sophisticated alphanumeric combination that prevents duplication and enhances security. You can make updates to your registration anytime or during renewal. Register your entity or get a Unique Entity ID to get started doing business with the federal government. Include your name, contact information, and SAM.gov helpdesk incident number(s) (FSD ticket number(s)).

Key Differences That Affect Federal Contractors

Cost elimination was a primary motivator—many businesses paid fees to expedite DUNS processing, creating an unfair advantage for larger companies. The UEI system levels the playing field by providing instant, free identification to all entities regardless of size or resources. Visit the UEI technical specifications and API information page to learn more about UEI/EVS technical specifications for interfacing systems and sample data extracts. 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. What should I do if I receive the message “Email Already Exists in System” and I am unable to register? If you receive the message “Email Already Exists in System,” your email address has already been used to register.

Integrate With Data Services

• Direct government control ensures information remains current and accurate.
• The federal government officially discontinued the use of DUNS numbers for federal awards on April 4, 2022.
• SAM.gov provides a user-friendly interface that allows organizations to quickly retrieve their UEI for use in various government transactions and reporting requirements.
• The LEI is designed to be a linchpin for financial data — the first global and unique entity identifier enabling risk managers and regulators to identify parties to financial transactions instantly and precisely.
• This process involved testing data exchange protocols, updating API connections, and validating UEI functionality in legacy systems to maintain operational continuity across the federal procurement landscape.
• The present state of UEI application in federal procedures reflects ongoing efforts to streamline entity identification and enhance procurement processes.

DUNS numbers have served federal procurement for over 30 years, establishing themselves as the default business identifier. However, this longevity also created systemic dependencies that hindered modernization efforts and limited the government’s ability to optimize procurement processes. Having entity data controlled by a private corporation created potential vulnerabilities and limited the government’s ability to quickly verify or update business information during critical procurement cycles. We want to make the change easier by sharing information about the coming changes and transition plan. The DUNS number remains the official identifier for doing business with the U.S. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Once the full transition is made, you will enter your entity’s legal business name and address into SAM.gov. If the validation service finds a match, it will display your entity’s name and address for you to confirm. The General Services Administration addressed initial issues following the UEI rollout by establishing a dedicated task force to identify and resolve system glitches. This team worked closely with federal agencies to troubleshoot integration problems, update data mapping procedures, and refine entity validation processes.

Announcing the DUNS to UEI Transition Plan

This marked the completion of the transition to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) system, streamlining the entity identification process for federal procurement and assistance. The General Services Administration coordinated with unique entity identifier update federal agencies to ensure a smooth cutover, updating systems and databases to reflect the new UEI as the primary identifier for all federal award processes. If your organization is located outside the United States, you can register for a DUNS number online. To register with D&B, you are not required to obtain a federal Tax Identification Number , also known as an Employer Identification Number . However, anyone doing business with the federal government generally needs to obtain a TIN/EIN in order to meet Internal Revenue Service tax reporting requirements. GSA develops an interface to new entity validation service provider to determine entity uniqueness.

• If you only conduct certain types of transactions, such as reporting as a sub-awardee, you may not need to complete an entity registration.
• Find your local APEX Accelerators (formerly known as PTACs) to get free help getting started doing business with the federal government.
• 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.
• Once the full transition is made, you will enter your entity’s legal business name and address into SAM.gov.
• To search for an entity in SAM.gov, you can use the entity’s legal business name, CAGE code, or Unique Entity ID.

Communicating the Planned Transition Window

This process will be necessary for each IP address you wish to access the site from, requests are valid for approximately one quarter (three months) after which the process may need to be repeated. If your entity is registered in SAM.gov today, you already have your Unique Entity ID (SAM) and it is viewable in SAM.gov. By April of 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier created in SAM.gov. New form versions with a UEI field will be created for the forms in the table below. We encourage all Grants.gov users to bookmark and regularly consult GSA’s UEI Update page in order to stay up-to-date with the latest information.

Final Discontinuation of DUNS Number for Federal Awards

They will no longer have to go to a third-party website to obtain their identifier. If you work with multiple organizations on grant applications, you can create and manage multiple profiles within the same Grants.gov account. On April 4, 2022, the federal government stopped using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities.

Registration Status

After submitting the application package through Workspace, applicants should download a copy of the submitted application for offline record-keeping and to verify the contents of the submission zip file. We recommend downloading the submitted application via the Details tab of the workspace and verifying the contents of each file in the zip. Federal departments conducted extensive system readiness activities to prepare for the UEI implementation.

The foundation is led by a 16-member board of directors, all from the private sector. The cache refers to the Temporary Internet Files folder which contains a record of the items you have seen, heard, or downloaded from the web, including images, sounds and web pages. The latest versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Apple Safari are supported for use with Grants.gov. However, these web browsers undergo frequent changes and updates, so we recommend you have the latest version when using Grants.gov. Legacy versions of these web browsers may be functional, but you may experience issues.Grants.gov no longer provides support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 9 or below.

The federal government’s decision to transition from proprietary identifiers to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) system was driven by a need for increased efficiency and transparency in procurement processes. This policy shift aimed to reduce organizational risk and streamline communication between federal agencies and entities seeking contracts or grants. The transition to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) system marked a significant shift in federal procurement and assistance processes.