Unique Entity Identifier Update

Government Transition from DUNS Number to New Unique Entity Identifier Will Occur on April 4, 2022

By April of 2022, the federal government will stop using the DUNS number to uniquely identify entities. At that point, entities doing business with the federal government will use a Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) created in SAM.gov. They will no longer have to go to a third-party website to obtain their identifier. This transition allows the government to streamline the entity identification and validation process, making it easier and less burdensome for entities to do business with the federal government.

The Integrated Award Environment (IAE) manages several systems including SAM.gov, FPDS, eSRS, FSRS, CPARS and FAPIIS. Current SAM.gov registrants have already been assigned their Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) and can view it within SAM.gov. To learn more about this transition, please see the information below. Join and follow our community on Interact to be notified about the latest news and information about the upcoming Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) changes happening at IAE.

What Action Do I Need to Take?

If your entity is registered in SAM.gov today, your Unique Entity ID (SAM) has already been assigned and is viewable in SAM.gov. This includes inactive registrations. The Unique Entity ID is currently located below the DUNS Number on your entity registration record. Remember, you must be signed in to your SAM.gov account to view entity records. To learn how to view your Unique Entity ID (SAM) go to this help article.

Refer to the Guide to Getting a Unique Entity ID if you want to get a Unique Entity ID (SAM) for your organization without having to complete a full entity registration. If you only conduct certain types of transactions, such as reporting as a sub-awardee, you may not need to complete an entity registration. Your entity may only need a Unique Entity ID (SAM).

If you operate a system that connects with IAE systems, documentation about using APIs to access SAM.gov is found at is open.GSA.gov. The latest version of FPDS ATOM feed includes the Unique Entity ID. FPDS released a crosswalk to populate the Unique Entity ID in contract actions in agency systems.

Agency system owners are encouraged to join the Technical Interface Community (email IAE_Admin@gsa.gov to join).

When will IAE systems require the use of the new Unique Entity Identifier (SAM)?

The DUNS number remains the official identifier for doing business with the U.S. Government until April 4, 2022.

• Entities continue to register in SAM.gov using the DUNS number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) until April 4, 2022.
• Entity uniqueness continues to be validated by D&B as part of the DUNS number assignment process until April 4, 2022.
• Subcontracting reporting will continue to require the DUNS until April 4, 2022.
• Starting in Q1 FY22. interfacing systems may send either the Unique Entity ID (SAM) or the DUNS Number to IAE systems

When will the Unique Entity Identifier (SAM) be viewable in IAE systems?

If your entity is registered in SAM.gov today, you already have your Unique Entity ID (SAM) and it is viewable in SAM.gov. This includes inactive registrations.

GSA is preparing all IAE systems (SAM.gov, FPDS, FAPIIS, etc.) to display, accept, and/or assign the new Unique Entity ID.

Where Do I Get More Information?

Visit UEI Technical Specifications and API Information page to learn more about UEI/EVS technical specifications for interfacing systems and sample data extracts.

• The purpose of registration, core data, assertions, representations & certifications, points of contacts, etc. in SAM.gov will not change and no one will be required to re-enter this data.

UEI Background

Further Questions

Further inquiries may be directed to entityvalidation@gsa.gov. Press inquiries should be sent to press@gsa.gov