Reclamation Financial Assistance Memorandum (RFAM) No. 03-03
Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System Requirement
84-27800
ADM-13.00
MEMORANDUM
To:
Regional Director, PN, MP, LC, UC, GP
Attention: PN-3700, PN-6300, MP-3800, LC-3100, UC-440,
UC-450, GP-3800
Director, Administrative Service Center
Attention: D-2940
Director, Management Services
Attention: 84-27800, 84-27810
From:
From: Ronald J. Simonich, /s/
Acting Manager, Acquisition and Assistance Management Division
Subject: Reclamation Financial Assistance Memorandum (RFAM) 03-03 - Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System Requirement for Grant/Cooperative Agreement Applications
1. Purpose. This purpose of this memorandum is to transmit a policy issuance from the Deputy Assistant Secretary-Budget and Finance (copy attached) regarding implementation of government-wide policy, as published in the June 27, 2003, issue of the Federal Register [68 FR 38402], (copy of Policy Notice attached), which requires that prospective financial assistance applicants apply for and include a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number on their applications for Federal grants and cooperative agreements.
2. Effective date. This RFAM is effective upon issuance.
3. Expiration date. This RFAM is in effect until cancelled, superceded, or incorporated into Title 43 Code of Federal Regulations.
4. Background. Effective October 1, 2003, every application for a new award of a financial assistance agreement, or renewal thereof, must include a DUNS number for the applicant. At the present time, an applicant is not required to submit DUNS numbers for entities with which it enters into subawards. The DUNS number will be required whether an applicant is submitting a paper application or using the government-wide electronic portal (Grants.gov). As stated in the above-referenced Federal Register notice, this policy is applicable to all types of entities applying for Federal grants and cooperative agreements under discretionary and mandatory grant programs or activities, except for (1) 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 (2) any applicant that receives an exemption, or an applicant under a program that receives an exemption (see Paragraph 4.c of the Notice).
5. Action required.
a. As noted in the electronic transmittal from this office on July 2, 2003, copy attached, when Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued the Final Notice for this policy, it added the exemption for individuals not being required to provide Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers. The Bureau of Reclamation and several other of the Department of the Interior agencies require a DUNS number for payment processing purposes; and, therefore, the Department has been requested to address this issue with OMB.
At this time, there has not been any resolution of this issue. Therefore, if you receive an application from an individual who does not wish to request a DUNS number, your office should contact the D&B DUNS Number Request Line, 1-866-705-5711, to request a number for this individual.
b. Effective October 1, 2003, all grant and cooperative agreement announcements, or other funding notifications that are issued, must include information notifying potential applicants of the requirement to obtain a DUNS number. Additionally, any previously issued announcements or funding notifications that did not contain information on the DUNS number requirement must be amended to inform applicants of this requirement.
In any instances where an award will be made without public announcement or notification, i.e., non-competitive awards, this requirement must be communicated to the applicant through preaward correspondence.
Notifications to applicants should contain the following information:
Effective October 1, 2003, applicants for Federal grants or cooperative agreements must provide a D&B DUNS number with their application. This number is to be included in Block 6 of your SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, along with your Employer Identification Number.
If you do not have a DUNS number, one may be obtained at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number Request Line at 1-866-705-5711.
Individuals who would personally receive a grant or cooperative agreement award from the Federal government, apart from any business or non-profit organization they operate, are exempt from the requirement to provide a DUNS number with their application. Reclamation must, however, have a DUNS number for payment processing purposes, and will therefore obtain a DUNS number for any individual who is awarded a grant or cooperative agreement.
c. The Acquisition and Assistance Management Division (AAMD) has posted a link to the information the Department has made available for obtaining DUNS numbers on the Reclamation financial assistance webpage at:http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/acquisitions/AAMSrfa.html. Additionally, this RFAM will be posted on the Reclamation financial assistance webpage.
d. Requests for exemptions from this policy shall be forwarded to AAMD who will route the request through the proper channels for OMB approval.
e. Please make further distribution of this policy to all employees responsible for award and administration of financial assistance agreements.
6. Point of contact. If you have questions regarding this matter, please contact Stephanie Bartlett, Procurement Analyst, 303-445-2427.
Attachments:
(1) Deputy Assistant Secretary Transmittal Memorandum and Policy Document
(2) Federal Register Notice [68 FR 38402]
(3) Electronic Transmittal dated July 2, 2003