Federal Register: October 30, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 210)
DOCID: FR Doc 02-27542
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
Management and Budget Office
NOTICE: NOTICES
ACTION: Reports and guidance documents; availability, etc.:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of Proposed Requirement for Use of a Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Office of Federal Financial Management; Proposed Policy on Use of a Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants
DATES: All comments on this proposal should be in writing, and must be received by December 30, 2002.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) seeks to establish a standard means for tracking Federal grant recipients throughout the entire grant life cycle and to provide the public with a uniform business practice. Currently Federal agencies use multiple and different identifiers for the entities which apply for and receive Federal grant funds, while a single identifier is used by entities which apply for and receive Federal contracts.
The Federal Government is in the process of developing an electronic standard grant application capability, known as EAPPLY, under an EGrants system which will require each applicant to be uniquely identified. This notice seeks comments on the proposal by OMB's Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) to establish a requirement for applicants to register for a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)) number for use as the Universal Identifier needed to respond to Federal agency grant or cooperative agreement announcements. The DUNS is already in use by those entities seeking Federal contracts.
SUMMARY:
Grant applicants; universal identifier use requirement policy,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The Federal Government is in the process of developing a governmentwide electronic portal that will include grant opportunity announcement (EFIND) and electronic application (EAPPLY) capabilities. This new system is referred to as EGrants and is one of the 24 crossagency electronic government (EGov) initiatives referred to in the President's Management Agenda.
The EGrants system will require that a Universal Identifier be used to verify each applicant. The identifier will be used for grant status tracking purposes, as well as by the Federal agencies as a source of other business information pertaining to the applicant.
OMB expects that with the use of a Universal Identifier, the need for organizations to submit redundant data with each application and report will be significantly reduced. Agencies will be able to use the Universal Identifier to obtain the standard legal name and address of the organization doing business with the government. The use of the Universal Identifier will also make it possible to create a unified, simplified, governmentwide grant application and report submission mechanism.
Use of the DUNS number as the Universal Identifier for grants related business transactions will provide the public with a uniform business practice since the DUNS is already in use by those entities seeking Federal contracts. Furthermore, use of a Universal Identifier will enable applicants and grantees to carry out authenticated and secure electronic interactions with the Federal Government. For Federal agencies, grantee use of the Universal Identifier can facilitate an analysis of grant applications and awards across agencies.
The EGrants system will be one means of implementing the requirement for a DUNS number for the Federal grant process. Applicants submitting paper applications will also be required to include a DUNS number.
OMB is working to ensure that the Federal Assistance Awards Data System (FAADS) database, the governmentwide grant payment systems, and the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC) database will incorporate the Universal Identifier and make grant information more accessible and usable for the public. OMB plans to require use of a Universal Identifier by October 1, 2003 (which is the planned implementation date of the EGrants Application process, EAPPLY), contingent on the results of our review of the public comments received in connection with this proposed policy.
DUNS Number
Many entities already hold a D&B DUNS number. For those organizations that do not already have a DUNS number, the number is easily obtained by telephone or via the Internet (http:// www.dunandbradstreet.com). The DUNS number will be assigned by D&B upon request at no charge to the requestor. About 1012 data elements are required for D&B to assign a DUNS number. Data elements include business name(s), address, telephone numbers, ownership information, legal structure of business, primary line of business, and the number of employees.
Request for Comment
OMB seeks comment from the affected public on the proposal to
require use of the DUNS number to conduct grants business with the
Federal Government. Questions that you should address include: Are
there any barriers that preclude organizations or entities from
obtaining a DUNS number by the planned October 1, 2003, implementation
date of the EGrants application process (EAPPLY)? When this
requirement is adopted, what outreach and education for the applicant
community will be necessary to increase awareness of the requirement
for DUNS numbers? What additional barriers or problems could result, if
the proposed DUNS number requirement is expanded to require sub
recipients to obtain a DUNS number? Does the policy statement which
follows provide sufficient information about the requirement to use a DUNS number?
[[Page 66178]]
Dated: October 17, 2002.
Joseph L. Kull,
Deputy Controller.
Proposed OMB Policy Directive
To the Heads of Executive Departments and Establishments
Subject: Requirement for Use of a Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants.
1. Purpose. This policy directive establishes the requirement for any applicant for Federal funds under a grant program to obtain a Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number for use as the applicant's Universal Identifier.
2. Authority. This policy directive is part of the implementation of the Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act of 1999 (Public Law 106107).
3. Background. Public Law 106107 requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to direct, coordinate, and assist Executive Branch departments and agencies in establishing an interagency process to streamline and simplify Federal financial assistance procedures for nonFederal entities. It also requires each executive agency to develop, submit to the Congress, and implement a plan for the streamlining and simplification effort that ``allows applicants to electronically apply for, and report on the use of, funds from the Federal financial assistance program administered by the agency. . .''.
In response to that requirement, the Federal Government is in the process of developing an electronic standard grant application process under an EGrants system, which requires each applicant to be uniquely identified by a Universal Identifier. The identifier will be used for grant status tracking purposes and as a source of business information pertaining to the applicant. Use of the Universal Identifier will enable applicants and grantees to carry out authenticated and secure electronic interactions with the Federal Government. Use of the DUNS number as the Universal Identifier for grantsrelated business transactions will provide the public with a uniform business practice since the DUNS is already in use by those entities seeking Federal contracts.
4. Policy. Applicants for Federal funds under any grant program
administered by Federal agencies shall seek and obtain a Dun and
Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number for use
as the Universal Identifier. A DUNS number is required for any
applicant to make use of the EGrants system. Applicants submitting
paper applications are also required to include a DUNS number as their
Universal Identifier. The policy does not apply to individuals applying for direct assistance under Federal programs.
5. Responsibilities.
a. Agency Responsibilities. Executive Branch departments and agencies:
(1) Must issue any needed direction to offices that award grants and cooperative agreements to implement this policy.
(2) Shall also direct recipients to initiate actions to obtain a
DUNS number. The number is easily obtained by telephone or via the
Internet (http://www.dunandbradstreet.com).
b. OMB Responsibilities. The Office of Management and Budget will update this policy letter as needed, based on recommendations from interagency work groups.
6. Information Contact. Direct any questions regarding this policy directive to Sandra Swab, OFFM, 2023955642 (direct) or 2023953993 (main office).
7. Effective Date. The policy directive is effective 30 days after
issuance. All implementing actions other than regulatory revisions must
be completed by the Executive departments and agencies within 6 months
of issuance, and no later than October 1, 2003, when applicants and grantees must begin using the Universal Identifier.
Date:
Controller
[FR Doc. 0227542 Filed 102902; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 311001P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Sandra R. Swab, Office of Federal
Financial Management, Office of Management and Budget, at 202 3955642 (direct), 2023953993 (main office), or via email
(sswab@omb.eop.gov).