The UEI system replaced DUNS numbers in April 2022 to provide a government-controlled, non-proprietary identification method for federal contractors and grantees. This strategic change eliminated third-party fees, improved data integrity, and streamlined the registration process through SAM.gov. The shift enhanced security while reducing manual entry errors and creating more uniform processes across federal systems. The implementation represents a significant modernization effort for entities conducting business with the federal government.

The Strategic Advantages of the UEI System

While the shift from DUNS to UEI represents a significant change in federal entity identification, the new system offers substantial benefits for organizations working with the government.

The strategic benefits include improved data integrity through reduced manual entry errors and a non-proprietary identification system controlled by the government rather than third parties. Working with federal procurement services through GSA ensures standardized practices across all government contracts.

Organizations experience streamlined processes by obtaining their UEI directly through SAM.gov without intermediaries. This approach proves more cost-effective by eliminating fees associated with proprietary identifiers.

The UEI system enhances security by reducing reliance on external entities for essential business identification needs. Additionally, the consistent use of UEI across Integrated Award Environment systems promotes uniformity and simplifies validation processes, making interactions with federal agencies more predictable and efficient for contractors and grantees.

The transition deadline of April 4, 2022 marked the official end of DUNS number acceptance in all IAE systems.

Starting February 28, existing organizations’ UEIs were automatically pre-populated in NSF systems, eliminating the need for manual replacement of DUNS numbers.

Practical Impacts for Federal Contractors and Grantees

Since the shift from DUNS to UEI took effect, federal contractors and grantees have experienced significant changes in their operational procedures when engaging with government agencies.

The alteration has streamlined registration procedures through SAM.gov, eliminating the need for third-party involvement previously required with Dun & Bradstreet. This modernization effort aims to enhance federal procurement transparency across all government systems.

SAM.gov’s streamlined registration process eliminates third-party intermediaries formerly required by Dun & Bradstreet partnerships.

Entities now face new compliance challenges as they update their profiles across multiple systems. Federal contractors must integrate their UEI into E-Verify systems while maintaining accurate records in SAM.gov. Four legal partners from a Washington D.C. firm published insights on this transition in April 2022. The transition away from the nine-digit identifier represents a fundamental change in how businesses are tracked in federal systems.

Similarly, grant recipients must register with a UEI for all federal funding opportunities.

The change offers tangible benefits, including cost reduction, simplified reporting, and improved data quality.

Contractors and grantees can now navigate a more unified federal award system with government-issued identifiers replacing the previous commercial standard.

Timeline and Implementation of the DUNS to UEI Transition

The federal government executed the changeover from DUNS to UEI on April 4, 2022, after extensive preparation and system updates.

Prior to this date, agencies were directed to finalize their shift plans while SAM.gov underwent modifications to assign and display the new identifiers for registered entities.

During implementation, GSA worked to minimize shift challenges by providing multiple support channels and streamlining the registration process. Federal contract opportunities became more accessible through the simplified identification system.

The new system allowed entities, particularly subawardees, to obtain UEIs through SAM.gov without requiring complete registration. This streamlined process ensures organizations receiving federal grant dollars can easily comply with identification requirements.

Technical updates included adapting APIs and data extracts to incorporate UEI fields, while phasing out DUNS numbers for federal awards.

Throughout the shift, the Office of Management and Budget directed the change while GSA managed the technical aspects of UEI assignment and system updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Recover a Lost or Forgotten UEI?

For lost UEI recovery, entities should visit SAM.gov, the official government portal where UEI information is stored.

Users can access the public search function without logging in to locate their UEI by entering their organization name or previous DUNS number.

If additional help is needed, the Federal Service Desk provides support through its online portal or by phone at 866-606-8220.

No separate recovery application is required.

Can International Organizations Obtain a UEI Without a DUNS History?

Yes, international organizations can obtain a UEI without having a DUNS number history.

The UEI application process through SAM.gov is available to any organization needing to interact with the U.S. federal government, regardless of geographic location.

International entities follow the same registration steps as domestic ones on SAM.gov to receive their unique identifier.

This accessibility guarantees global participation in U.S. federal contracts and grants without requiring previous Dun & Bradstreet registration.

Will UEI Impact Subcontractor Reporting Requirements?

Yes, UEI impacts subcontractor reporting requirements greatly.

Subcontractors working with government contractors must now use their UEI instead of DUNS numbers for all reporting purposes. This change affects subcontractor compliance with federal regulations and introduces new reporting standards.

Prime contractors must guarantee their subcontractors obtain UEIs, particularly when reporting subcontracting dollars through systems like eSRS.

The shift requires subcontractors to adapt to new identification processes to maintain eligibility for government-related work.

How Long Does UEI Validation Typically Take After Application?

The UEI validation process typically takes up to 10 business days after application submission to become active.

This application timeline may extend longer for registrations with complex organizational structures or information discrepancies.

The process includes submission verification, database checks with the IRS, and final UEI assignment.

Once validated, entities receive email notification and become eligible for federal contracts and programs.

Incomplete or inaccurate information will delay the validation timeline considerably.

Can One Organization Have Multiple UEIS for Different Departments?

Generally, organizations receive only one UEI regardless of their organization structure.

The federal government’s design intends for a single identifier per legal business entity, not separate departmental UEIs. All departments within the same organization typically must use the shared UEI for federal transactions, grants, and contracts.

This approach simplifies entity validation and maintains consistency in federal systems.

Organizations with truly separate legal entities, however, would require distinct UEIs.