1. Purpose. To inform grant applicants of the requirement to include a Dun & Bradstreet (D & B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003.

2. References. Federal Register Notice, Vol. 68, No. 124, Friday, June 27, 2003; Federal Financial Assistance Management Act of 1999, Pub. L. 106-107; grants.gov initiative under the President's Management Agenda. (http://whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2002/mgmt.pdf)

3. Background. Public Law 106-107 requires that the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) assist the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in establishing an interagency process to streamline and simplify Federal financial assistance procedures for non-Federal entities.

OMB has determined that there is a need for improved statistical tracking of Federal grants and cooperative agreements. Use of the DUNS number will provide a means to identify entities receiving Federal awards. The DUNS number will be used for tracking purposes and to validate address and point of contact information. The DUNS number is already in use by the Federal government to identify entities receiving Federal contracts.

Under the grants.gov initiative, ETA is in the process of developing an electronic grant application system using standard data elements. The DUNS number is one of those data elements. By using the grants.gov portal, entities will be able to store in a central Federal registration repository fixed organizational information that does not change from application to application. Applicants will not have to re-enter this information on each electronic application they submit.

4. Applicability. The DUNS requirement applies to all types of entities applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements under discretionary and mandatory grant programs or activities. Under this requirement, the applicant is the entity that meets the agency's or program's eligibility criteria and has the legal authority to apply. For example, a consortium formed to apply for a grant or cooperative agreement must obtain a DUNS number for that consortium.

Every application for a new award or a renewal of an award, including applications or plans under mandatory grant programs, submitted on or after October 1, 2003, must include a DUNS number for the applicant. An application will not be considered complete until a valid DUNS number is provided by the applicant. An applicant is not required at this time to submit DUNS numbers for entities with which it may enter into sub-awards. The DUNS number does not replace existing numbers, such as the Employer Identification Number, that are required by statute or regulation. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal (grants.gov).

5. Action Required. Entities that anticipate applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements must obtain a DUNS number in advance of a specific application. It is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain the number. Applicants can receive a DUNS number by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS number request line at 1(866)705-5711. The process to request a number takes approximately 10 minutes and is free of charge. Be prepared to provide the following information:

a) Name of business

b) Business address

c) Local phone number

d) Name of the CEO/business owner

e) Legal structure of the business (corporation, partnership, proprietorship)

f) Year business started

g) Primary line of business

h) Total number of employees (full and part time)

6. Inquiries. Questions regarding this issuance should be directed to the appropriate ETA Regional Office.