DUNS Number
Data Universal Numbering System
Acronyms & AbbreviationsDefinition
The DUNS number was a nine-digit business identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet, formerly required for federal contractor registration. As of April 4, 2022, the DUNS number was replaced by the UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) generated through SAM.gov.
For decades, the DUNS number was the standard business identifier in federal procurement. Every contractor needed one to register in SAM.gov (then CCR), apply for grants, or participate in federal programs. Dun & Bradstreet assigned the numbers and maintained the database.
The transition to UEI was driven by the government's desire to eliminate reliance on a proprietary system. The UEI is free, automatically assigned through SAM.gov, and managed by the government directly.
If you see a solicitation that still asks for a DUNS number, you can typically provide your UEI instead. Your SAM.gov profile shows both if you had a DUNS number before the transition.
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