Implementing the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Implementing the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):Guidance and resources for ED’s grantee CommunityU.S. Department of EducationGrants Policy & Training Division

2. agendaHighlight the background and benefits of the UEI transitionOutline key dates Clarify the actions the grantee community should take to ensure continued ability to apply for Federal fundingIdentify helpful resources, information and contacts to answer questions2

3. BackgroundSince 2003 entities wishing to conduct business with Federal agencies, including grant applicants, were required to have a DUNS Number issued by Dun and BradstreetIn 2012 the Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report raising concerns of the expanded costs associated with the DUNS number and the monopoly that Dun and Bradstreet exercised in accessing Federal fundsThe General Services Administration (GSA) implemented GAO’s recommendation to consider the establishment of a government-owned numbering system On April 4, 2022, the DUNS Number will be replaced by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)3

4. Transition PurposeThe switch from the DUNS Number to the UEI has many benefits to the public including:Long-term cost savings for taxpayersRestrictions placed by Dun and Bradstreet on GSA’s use of DUNS numbers eliminated Reliance on a third party, Dun and Bradstreet, to obtain an entity identifier eliminatedGreater efficiency by centralizing, within SAM.gov, entity registrations and the issuance of UEIsReducing burden on entities looking to do business with the Federal GovernmentComplying with 2 CFR Part 25 requirements4

5. TimetableBeginning April 4, 2022, the UEI will be required in the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) systems including:SAM.gov, FPDS.gov, eSRS.gov, FSRS.gov, FAPIIS.gov, CPARS.gov and G5GSA will issue the UEI through SAM.govCurrent active and inactive registrants in SAM.gov already have been assigned a UEIOrganizations not already registered with SAM.gov seeking access to Federal funds prior to April 4, 2022, must:Obtain a DUNS Number from Dun and BradstreetRegister that DUNS Number with SAM.gov5

6. Entities Already Registered in sam.govEntities with a current or expired DUNS number registration in SAM.gov have already received a UEIApplies to both recipients and subrecipientsDUNS numbers and active registrations should be maintained through April 3, 2022, to ensure continued ability to access Federal funding opportunitiesThe UEI transition does not impact the entity's registration expiration date or the timetable to renewWhile the UEI number will never expire, entity registrations doOrganizations must update its registration annually in SAM.govExpiration date is listed on the entity record in SAM.gov6

7. Entities not registered in sam.govTo do business with the Federal government now and through March 29, 2022, entities must obtain a DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet and register with Sam.gov (SAM.gov will be down for maintenance to complete the transition beginning on April 1 at 8:00 PM (ET) until no later than 9:00 AM (ET) April 4.)Once an entity is registered with SAM.gov it will be assigned a UEI that will take effect April 4, 2022Organizations should plan accordingly to complete all necessary registrations and submission deadlines to access Federal funding opportunitiesCarefully review submission details in Notices Inviting Applications (NIAs), Federal bid solicitations and other applicable award instrument guidance7

8. How can I view my unique entity identifier (UEI)? Sam.gov makes it easy to register, renew or check your UEI status8Sam.gov makes it easy to register, renew or check your UEI statusSee How can I view my unique entity identifier (UEI)?

9. Guidance for Subrecipients (optional for programs that make subawards)Grantees that make subawards should inform subrecipients of the transition to the UEI noting that:Subrecipients under entities doing business with the Federal Government that are currently registered in SAM.gov have been assigned their UEI Through March 29, 2022, subrecipients that are not already registered in SAM.gov must obtain and/or use a DUNS to register their entity on SAM.gov (SAM.gov will be down for maintenance to complete the transition beginning on April 1 at 8:00 PM (ET) until no later than 9:00 AM (ET) April 4.)On and after April 4, subrecipients can register in SAM.gov and will be assigned their UEISubrecipients will no longer be able to obtain or use a DUNS for subrecipient registration or reporting9

10. Transition ResourcesThe Federal Service Desk is available to address the UEI transition by providing support to grantee and contracting communities as well as Federal agency staff Helpful resources include the following:UEI Transition FAQsInteractive PDF Tool – UEI TransitionGovernment Transition from DUNS to UEIWhy is SAM.gov changing to SAM (UEI)?SAM.govHow can I view my unique entity identifier (UEI)?10

11. UEI Unanswered QuestionsQuestions not addressed in the FAQ or other FSD.gov resources should be directed to the FSD Help Desk staffFSD Help Desk staff may be contacted by telephone, live chat or by choosing “Create an Incident” ticketQuestions may also be submitted to the General Services Administration at entityvalidation@gsa.gov11FSD Help Desk Hours of OperationMonday - Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ETU.S. calls: 866-606-8220International calls: +1 334-206-7828DSN: 94-866-606-8220

12. Winning remindersMaintain your DUNS Number registration until April 4, 2022, to ensure continued ability to apply for and access Federal fundsRemember to maintain an active registration for your UEI to continue accessing Federal funding opportunities 12

13. Winning RemindersQuestions concerning the UEI transition should be directed to FSD.gov and its FAQs and other resourcesQuestions as an ED grant applicant—contact the ED staff person listed in the Notice Inviting Application (NIA)Questions as a subrecipient of an ED grant should be directed to the entity that issued the subawardQuestions as a current grantee should be referred to the ED staff person identified in Box 3 of the Grant Award Notification (GAN)13

14. Thank you for attending today’s session.14