RFAM 03-03, Attachment 3
From: Stephanie Bartlett
To:
Becky Neuman; Bryant Lyndaker; Chandler Worley; Dion Steele; Diva Heitz; Gail Tinianow; George Rice; Janice Haener; Kimball Banks; Leatha Frost; Lila Duffin; Lisa Maloney; Margaret Miller; Mark Ventuleth; Mike Ward; Nancy Coleman; Pat Postell; Rae Ottenbreit; Randy Belew; Rex Crumrine; Rita Guilbert; Stephanie Bartlett; Terry Ford
Date: 7/2/03 11:50AM
Subject: FR Notice C Use of Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants
On 6/27/03, the attached notice of final policy issuance for "Use of a Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants" was published in the Federal Register. This notice contains comments and OMB responses received on the draft policy, and the Memorandum to Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies that transmits the policy. Effective 10/01/03 applications for new awards and renewals of Federal grants and cooperative agreements must include a DUNS number. Unless otherwise exempted, an application is not to be considered complete until a valid DUNS number is provided.
The memorandum contains a requirement that agencies issue any needed implementing direction to component offices to meet the requirements of this policy. DOI has not yet informed us whether they will issue any further guidance on this matter. After we receive more information from DOI on this requirement and whether they will issue further guidance, I'll issue an RFAM to address this policy.
I did, however, want to get this information out to you as soon as possible since the Memorandum (starts at top of right hand column on page 38404 of attached) contains some required actions as stated in Paragraph 5, as follows:
(1) Paragraph 5.b requires outreach and education appropriate to applicant communities regarding the DUNS number requirement. DOI is planning on posting this information on their website and we will provide a link to this posting from the RFAH page. Please feel free to initiate any other outreach activities you feel appropriate for your offices.
(2) Paragraph 5.c requires that we inform financial assistance applicants that it is their responsibility to obtain a DUNS number. This requirement is to be included in all funding activity announcements issued on or after the effective date of this policy directive (which would be July 27, 2003) that have application due dates or acceptance dates on or after 10/1/03. Also, all other funding announcements with due or acceptance dates on or after 10/1/03 must be amended to inform applicants of this requirements.
(3) Per Paragraph 5.d, we can revise the SF 424 to accommodate the DUNS number. The only problem with this is that an applicant might use a copy of the SF 424 that doesn't have an area identified for the DUNS number. I would therefore suggest that you add a statement in your agreements requiring applicants to add their DUNS number to their SF 424 (but see #4 below).
(4) OMB received comments on whether this requirement should apply to individuals (first comment under Section B, page 38403) and decided that individuals should be exempted from having to provide a DUNS number. This exemption is stated under Paragraph 4 of the Memorandum. Since most DOI bureaus/offices must have a DUNS number for payment purposes, I have requested DOI to address this issue with OMB.
Please make further distribution of this information as appropriate. Thanks.
Stephanie Bartlett, Financial Assistance Analyst
Bureau of Reclamation, Mail Code D 7800
Telephone 303 445 2427 Fax 303 445 6344
sgbartlett@do.usbr.gov