52.204-6
Unique Entity Identifier
Offerors must provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) with their offer, or obtain one through SAM.gov if they do not have it, to ensure eligibility for federal contracts.
Overview
FAR 52.204-6 requires offerors to provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) when submitting offers for federal contracts. The UEI is a number or identifier used to uniquely identify commercial, nonprofit, or government entities in federal procurement systems. This provision ensures that each entity is properly identified for contract award, payment, and reporting purposes. If an offeror does not have a UEI, they must obtain one through the designated entity at www.sam.gov, providing specific business information as outlined in the regulation.
Key Rules
- Definition of Unique Entity Identifier and EFT Indicator
- The UEI is a unique number assigned to each entity; the EFT indicator is a suffix used to identify alternative payment accounts.
- Requirement to Provide UEI and EFT Indicator
- Offerors must annotate their UEI (and EFT indicator, if applicable) on the cover page of their offer, matching the name and address exactly as stated in the offer.
- Obtaining a UEI
- Entities without a UEI must contact the designated entity at www.sam.gov and provide detailed business information to obtain one.
Responsibilities
- Contracting Officers: Ensure offerors provide a valid UEI and EFT indicator (if applicable) with their offer.
- Contractors/Offerors: Obtain and provide a UEI and EFT indicator as required; ensure information matches the offer.
- Agencies: Oversee compliance and verify the accuracy of submitted identifiers.
Practical Implications
- This provision standardizes entity identification, streamlining contract administration and payment processes.
- Failure to provide a valid UEI can delay or disqualify an offer.
- Contractors must maintain accurate and up-to-date information in SAM.gov to avoid compliance issues.