Good Morning Everyone,
Let's talk about UEI numbers (Unique Entity Identifiers Numbers).
In 2020, The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) revised the Uniform Guidance for grants (2 C.F.R. part 200). This revision included the transition away from using DUNS numbers (from Dun & Bradstreet) as entity identifiers to Unique Entity Identifiers (UEI) (from Ernst & Young through SAM.gov).
What does this mean for your library?
To receive federal funds as a grant recipient, a library/system must register in the Federal System for Award Management (SAM) at
SAM.gov and obtain a new, non-proprietary Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Examples of federal funds your library may receive include Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) including Native American Library Services Basic and Enhancement grants, grants from the National Endowments for the Humanities and the Arts, and grants from the Wisconsin Humanities Council.
Why am I bringing this up?
The 2022 Annual Report has been updated and DUNS numbers will no longer be accepted. Adding the UEI number is still an optional entry, however, if DPI has your new UEI number on file, they will pre-fill this field on the report. If you have not filed the UEI number with DPI, now would be a good time to 1.) make sure you have a number 2.) have the number handy to include on this year's annual report.
What is the next step?
If your library had a DUNS number AND is registered in SAM.gov, that DUNS number should have been automatically updated to a UEI. This scenario is most likely for libraries using a municipal/county DUNS number and libraries that have received direct federal assistance through a grant from IMLS or another federal agency. If your library used a municipal/county DUNS number to access federal funds, contact your municipality/county to ensure you are registered in SAM.gov and get a copy of the UEI number.
If your library had a DUNS number but is
not registered in SAM.gov, you will need to complete SAM.gov registration in order to have your DUNS number transitioned to a UEI. This scenario is likely for libraries that hold their own DUNS numbers and have not applied directly to a federal agency for a grant. Generally, after completing the online registration and sending your notarized letter confirming the entity administrator, it takes up to two weeks to register with SAM, then 1 business day for updates made in SAM to be reflected in Grants.gov. However, your organization must first have an EIN. If your organization does not have an EIN, you should allow an additional
5 weeks to request and obtain an EIN from the IRS.
If your library has neither a DUNS number nor is registered in SAM.gov, you will want to decide whether you will proceed with SAM.gov registration in order to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. The Division for Libraries and Technology believes it is important for libraries and/or their local government unit to be able to apply for and receive federal assistance, particularly in light of the volume of federal financial assistance that has been provided since March 2020. Having the ability to be flexible and request federal assistance can provide substantial financial assistance in improving library services in your community.
For those of you who apply for grants regularly, I am sure you have your UEI number. For those of you who have not jumped on the grant writing bandwagon, now is a great time to prepare incase an opportunity arises.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.