What is a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number?

The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number was the authoritative unique entity identifier used by the federal government until April 3, 2022. This proprietary identifier key was issued by the private company, Dun & Bradstreet. Because entities doing business with the federal government had to go to a third-party website to obtain this identifier, the identification and validation process was difficult and burdensome. 

Seeking to streamline this process, the government replaced the DUNS number with the Unique Entity ID (UEI) on April 4, 2022. Since UEIs are issued by the government as part of the SAM registration process, the entity identification and validation process is now easier and less burdensome for entities to do business with the federal government.