SAM Transition

SAM replaces DUNS with UEIs 

Updated Feb. 2022

The Federal Government has started the transition from the DUNS number to the new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in accordance with 2 CFR Part 25. All organizations that receive federal dollars and already have a DUNS number will now have a new UEI number assigned to them.

Your organization will continue to use its DUNS for registration and reporting until April 3, 2022. After that time, your organization will no longer use the DUNS for this purpose and that number will not be maintained in any IAE systems (i.e., SAM.gov, FPDS, eSRS, FSRS, FAPIIS, and CPARS). Beginning April 4, 2022, your organization will ONLY use the UEI in IAE systems. 

How to Access Your New UEI Number

School districts must go into SAM.gov to retrieve their UEI number. The DUNS number will be discontinued and no longer accessible on SAM after April 4, 2022.

View the DUNS to UEI Transition webpage.

FAQs

What is a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)? 

The authoritative unique entity identifier currently used by the federal government is the DUNS number. The DUNS number is a 9-character numeric value managed, granted and owned by Dun & Bradstreet. However, on April 4, 2022, the authoritative unique number used to identify organizations by the federal government will be the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI SAM). The Unique Entity ID is a 12-character alphanumeric value managed, granted and owned by the U.S. Federal Government. 

When is the Unique Entity ID changing? 

The transition from the DUNS number to the UEI SAM is happening now. The DUNS number will remain the authoritative identifier until April 3, 2022.

Why is the DUNS number changing to the UEI? 

This a federal government-wide initiative. The Office of Management and Budget has directed federal agencies/systems to complete their transition to UEI (SAM) no later than April 4, 2022, preparing all IAE systems to use the UEI number. The federal government is streamlining the entity registration process and making it easier for entities to do business with the federal government. The change simplifies the process of registering your organization to do business with the federal government. Entities will be assigned an identifier during registration or can request one at SAM.gov without needing to register. You will not need to go to a third party outside of SAM to obtain an identifier or to get help. 

Will this affect my reporting to the OSDE this fiscal year (FY22)?

The DUNS numbers will continue to be collected on GMS; however, UEIs will need to be updated as the deadline draws closer. More information for this GMS amendment is slated to be released in March. Stay tuned. 

More Information & Resources

• View the Transition from DUNS Number to Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Fact Sheet
• View a UEI Training Video

Questions?

Contact Shelly Perkins, Agency Grants Director, at [email protected].