For more than 40 years, the U.S. federal government used the D-U-N-S Number® to track and identify companies that it does business with, including its vast array of suppliers. Providing your D-U-N-S Number was a required step on every bid and application process.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has transitioned to a new process for identifying businesses bidding on U.S. government contracts and applying for financial assistance. If you currently work with the federal government or a federal government agency, there is likely not much that has changed that will affect you.
If, however, you are seeking to bid on a new federal government contract, or become a government vendor after April 2022, this change may affect your business.
Does this mean companies no longer need a D-U-N-S Number if they want to work with government agencies? Not exactly. Though the D-U-N-S Number is no longer required for bidding by the U.S. federal government, many other governments and companies around the world still use the D-U-N-S Number. Though the D-U-N-S Number and the U.S. federal government are no longer linked, many other governments and companies around the world still use the D-U-N-S Number. Institutions in Australia and the European Union, for example, still use it.
Since the D-U-N-S Number was introduced in 1963, many agencies related to foreign governments, and many associated governing bodies adopted the D-U-N-S Number. If your company wants to do business with agencies outside the federal government, it’s a good idea to check and see if a D-U-N-S Number is required.
Many state and local agencies in the United States still work with D-U-N-S Numbers and require them for anyone bidding on city or state contracts. You may also need a D-U-N-S Number when you apply for loans or grants.
Dun & Bradstreet hosts business credit file information on more than 500 million global businesses, so many government agencies will continue to look to Dun & Bradstreet to provide the information and actionable insights about businesses of all sizes following the D-U-N-S Number / UEI transition. Government agencies need this Dun & Bradstreet information to make mission-critical decisions such as helping to protect our supply chain, the U.S. government’s operations, and policy objectives.
Not sure if you already have a D-U-N-S Number? Use our D-U-N-S Number lookup tool to find out.
Hundreds of millions of businesses work with D-U-N-S Numbers, and many of the largest businesses in the world require them from their business partners, vendors, and suppliers. If you want to do business as a dropshipper or vendor in these marketplaces, you’ll find they may ask for your D-U-N-S Number as part of their application process.
Even though the U.S. government no longer requires a D-U-N-S Number, if you want to work with local agencies, international organizations, or some of the largest markets in the world, it’s a good idea to get a D-U-N-S Number. It’s free to request a D-U-N-S Number. Once you submit and verify your information, you can have a D-U-N-S Number in 30 business days or less.