UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)

What is UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)?

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a crucial identifier for any organization that intends to do business with the U.S. Federal Government. It serves as the primary means of identifying entities for federal awards (contracts, grants, etc.) and replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. Without a valid UEI, contractors cannot receive payments or conduct business with the government.

Definition

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to entities registering to do business with the U.S. Federal Government, or receiving federal funds. It's generated and managed by the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). The UEI enables the government to track how funds are being distributed and used across various agencies and contractors. It's a critical element for ensuring accountability and transparency in federal spending.

The legal and regulatory basis for the UEI is primarily derived from the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and related agency supplements, which outline the requirements for registration in SAM.gov as a prerequisite for receiving federal contracts. This ensures proper identification and validation of contractors, promoting fair competition and preventing fraud. The move to UEI was intended to streamline the identification process and reduce reliance on proprietary systems.

Key Points

• Mandatory for Federal Contracting: All businesses seeking to contract with the U.S. Federal Government must have a UEI.
• SAM.gov Generated: The UEI is automatically generated within SAM.gov when an entity registers or renews its registration.
• Free to Obtain: There is no cost to obtain a UEI. Beware of any third-party services that charge a fee for UEI registration.
• Replaced DUNS: The UEI replaced the DUNS number as the primary entity identifier for federal contracting purposes.

Practical Examples

1. Submitting a Proposal: When responding to a Request for Proposal (RFP), your proposal must include your organization's valid UEI. Failure to do so could result in your proposal being rejected.
2. Invoicing the Government: All invoices submitted to the government for payment must include the UEI associated with the contract. This ensures proper tracking of payments and prevents delays.
3. Registering in SAM.gov: Before you can bid on government contracts, you must register your organization in SAM.gov and obtain a UEI. The SAM registration must be kept current to avoid disruptions in contract payments.