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Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 11:29 AM Subject: Applicants for Federal Grants Need a DUNS Number (Data Universal Numbering System) The following is a press release from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). To read an HTML version, please access: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/050803.htm Updated July 11, 2003 May 7, 2003 Contact: Mamie Bittner, Director of Public and Legislative Affairs, Institute of Museum and Library Services, [log in to unmask] , 202-606-8339 or Eileen Maxwell, Public Affairs Specialist, Institute of Museum and Library Services, [log in to unmask] , 202-606-8339 Applicants for Federal Grants Need a DUNS Number (Data Universal Numbering System) Background In order to improve the statistical reporting of federal grants and cooperative agreements, the Office of Management and Budget has directed all federal agencies to require all applicants to federal grants to provide a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or an electronic application. Use of the DUNS number government-wide will provide a cost-effective means to identify entities receiving those awards and their business relationships. The identifier will be used for tracking purposes, and to validate address and point of contact information. The DUNS number already is in use by the federal government generally to identify entities receiving federal contracts and by some agencies in their grant and cooperative agreement processes. Among existing numbering systems, the DUNS is the only one that provides the federal government the ability to determine hierarchical and family-tree data for related organizations. What you need to do Organizations should verify that they have a DUNS number or take the steps needed to obtain one as soon as possible if there is a possibility that they will be applying for Federal grants or cooperative agreements on or after October 1, 2003. Organizations can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or by visiting http://www.dnb.com/us/ <http://www.imls.gov/scripts/exitmsg.cgi?url=http://www.dnb.com/us/> . Individuals who would personally receive a grant or cooperative agreement award from the federal government apart from any business or non-profit organization they may operate, and foreign entities are exempt from this requirement. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, and you anticipate that your organization will apply for a grant or cooperative agreement from IMLS on or after October 1, 2003, you should take steps to obtain a DUNS number in advance of the application deadline. If your organization does not have a DUNS number, you may not be able to apply for Federal grants or cooperative agreements after this time. <http://www.imls.gov/about/index.htm> Eileen Maxwell Public Affairs Specialist Institute of Museum and Library Services 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Suite 510 Washington, DC 20506 202-606-8339 202-606-8591 (fax) [log in to unmask] Subscribe to Primary Source, the IMLS monthly e-mail newsletter, for important museum and library news: http://www.imls.gov/utility/subscribe.htm.