XL EagleDUNS number (Data Universal Numbering System number)
DUNS number stands for Data Universal Numbering System number. A DUNS number is a 9-digit business identifier issued by the private company Dun and Bradstreet. For many years the federal government required one to register in SAM and receive contracts or grants.
On April 4, 2022, the government stopped using DUNS numbers as its official identifier and switched to the Unique Entity ID (UEI), which is assigned free inside SAM.gov. Dun and Bradstreet still issues DUNS numbers for commercial credit purposes, but you do not need one for federal work.
Why it matters to a small contractor
If an old guide, a state form, or a sales email tells you that you need a DUNS number to get a federal contract, it is out of date. Go straight to SAM.gov and get a UEI instead.
Example
An electrician reads a 2019 blog post saying to request a DUNS number first. He checks SAM.gov, sees the UEI is now assigned there, and skips the extra step.
DUNS number: common questions
Should I still get a DUNS number?
Not for federal contracting. Some private customers or lenders may use it for credit checks, but federal agencies use the UEI.
What happened to my old DUNS number in SAM?
When the switch happened, existing registrations were given a UEI automatically. Your DUNS may still appear in older records, but the UEI is what matters now.
Want the contract without the paperwork? Send XL Eagle your price on an open government job. We write and submit the bid under our registrations, free to you. Find open jobs →