duns and sam q a.docx

DUNS AND SAM Q&As

Beginning October 1, 2010, all Recipients receiving federal awards must have a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) Number and be registered with the CCR (Central Contractor Registration) as outlined in 2 CFR Part 25, Financial Assistance Use of Universal Identifier and Central Contractor Registration. As of July 2012, the CCR was incorporated into the System for Award Management (SAM).

http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=4b1646c637c990d90c86c0a68e316865&mc=true&node=se2.1.25_1110&rgn=div8

DUNS Number Requirements

Who needs a DUNS number?

All organizations receiving Federal financial awards (i.e., grant, cooperative agreement, contract) or subawards must have a DUNS number. Individuals are exempt.

How do I find out if my organization already has a DUNS number?

Your chief fiscal officer, treasurer, business manager, executive director, or accountant is likely to be able to provide your organization’s DUNS number. Many larger organizations such as universities, non-profits, and other private contractors are likely to already have a DUNS number. If you don’t know if you have one, you can search the Dun & Bradstreet website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/CCRSearch.do.

I've received federal grants/cooperative agreements for several years without a DUNS number. Why do I need one now?

Although these requirements have existed for a number of years for contracts, the regulations were officially implemented for grants and cooperative agreements in the Federal Register on September 14, 2010. The regulation had an effective date of October 1, 2010. In addition, this is a new requirement for subawardees.

Who can obtain a DUNS number for my organization?

An authorizing official of the organization, not a project director, should request a DUNS number. The following is a list of the information you will need in order to obtain it:

• Name of organization

• Organization address

• Name of the CEO/organization owner

• Legal structure of the organization (corporation, partnership, proprietorship)

• Year the organization started

• Primary type of business

• Total number of employees (full and part time)

How much will it cost to get a DUNS number?

Obtaining a DUNS number is FREE for all federal grant, cooperative agreement, and contract applicants. Contact Dun & Bradstreet directly using the contact options listed above and you will quickly and easily obtain a DUNS number at no charge.

How do I obtain a DUNS number?

DUNS numbers are provided by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). You can obtain a DUNS number by phone or through D&B’s website. Typical turnaround time for a web request is 1-2 business days.

Contact Dun & Bradstreet Website: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/displayHomePage.do

My organization is not in the United States. Do I still need a DUNS number?

DUNS numbers are required for all organizations, foreign or domestic, doing business with the Federal Government.

My organization has more than one DUNS number. How do I know which one to use?

DUNS numbers are issued by the physical location of the organization. Therefore, some organizations may have multiple DUNS numbers. Use the DUNS number associated with the location of the organization.

SAM Registration What is SAM?

SAM is an online system that combines several federal procurement systems and the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. The first phase of SAM includes the functionality from the following systems: Central Contractor Registry (CCR), Federal Agency Registration (Fedreg), Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). Future phases will include additional systems.

CCR is the Central Contractor Registration database within SAM. It is a federally operated database that collects, validates, and disseminates information about organizations that do business with the federal government via contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.

Who has to register with SAM?

Any organization that is receiving a financial assistance award from ARS must be registered in SAM. All organizations who require a DUNS number, as defined above, must also register with SAM before a grant/cooperative agreement/contract can be issued.

How do I register with SAM?

To register with SAM, go to http://www.sam.gov/, and click "Create User Account" to begin or call 1-866-606-8220 for assistance. Your organization must have a valid DUNS number and you must know your organization's Federal Tax Identification Number (TIN). Foreign organizations do not need a TIN number to register in SAM; however, they will need an NCAGE code (see below for additional FAQs on obtaining a CAGE code).

Be sure to use the primary DUNS number for your organization, which should be the same DUNS number used on the grant/cooperative agreement/contract as described above. SAM registration must be renewed at least every 12 months to remain valid.

How do I find out if my organization is already registered in SAM?

You can perform a public search in SAM to find your organization's registration. Go to the SAM website, and enter the DUNS number, CAGE Code, or organization name in the “Search Records” box. If your organization chose the “opt out of public display” option in its registration, you will not be able to see that registration on the public search site unless you log in with your user name and password.