D‑U‑N‑S Number
D‑U‑N‑S Number & Government
Learn how government bodies use the
D‑U‑N‑S® Number
D‑U‑N‑S Number and Government Usage
For more than 40 years, the U.S. federal government used the D‑U‑N‑S Number to track and identify companies that it does business with, including its vast array of suppliers. Providing your D‑U‑N‑S Number was a required step on every bid and application process.
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has transitioned to a new process for identifying businesses bidding on U.S. government contracts and applying for financial assistance. If you currently work with the federal government or a federal government agency, there is likely not much that has changed that will affect you.
If, however, you are seeking to bid on a new federal government contract, or become a government vendor after April 2022, this change may affect your business.
Who Does This Affect?
Does this mean companies no longer need a D‑U‑N‑S Number if they want to work with government agencies? Not exactly. Though the D‑U‑N‑S Number is no longer required for bidding by the U.S. federal government, many other governments and companies around the world still use the D‑U‑N‑S Number. Though the D‑U‑N‑S Number and the U.S. federal government are no longer linked, many other governments and companies around the world still use the D‑U‑N‑S Number. Institutions in Australia and the European Union, for example, still use it.
Since the D‑U‑N‑S Number was introduced in 1963, many agencies related to foreign governments, and many associated governing bodies adopted the D‑U‑N‑S Number. If your company wants to do business with agencies outside the federal government, it’s a good idea to check and see if a D‑U‑N‑S Number is required.
State and Local Agencies
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How the D-U-N-S Number Continues to Benefit Your Business
Even though the U.S. government no longer requires a D‑U‑N‑S Number, if you want to work with local agencies, international organizations, or some of the largest markets in the world, it’s a good idea to get a D‑U‑N‑S Number. It’s free to request a D‑U‑N‑S Number. Once you submit and verify your information, you can have a D‑U‑N‑S Number in 30 business days or less.
D‑U‑N‑S Number & Government FAQs
Use your D-U-N-S Number to review your company profile and see how other companies can view your business. Check to make sure the information is accurate and up-to-date. Request free updates using the Dun & Bradstreet D‑U‑N‑S Manager.
You should also check your profile to see if you need to do anything to potentially build your credit file.
Other ways to use your D‑U‑N‑S Number include:
• Raising capital or refinancing an existing loan.
• Requesting credit from another company.
• Applying to become a customer, supplier, or partner of a company or marketplace.
No, there is no requirement that you display your D‑U‑N‑S Number in any particular manner or place. Your D‑U‑N‑S Number is a unique, nine-digit number assigned to your business. No other business in the world can have a number that matches yours. Other companies may use it to help identify your business, and to help make business decisions about whether, or how, to do business with your company.
Your company’s D‑U‑N‑S Number is not an evaluation score of your business. There is no code built into the digits that refer to your credit score, your company’s ESG score or other measure. Nor is there any way to alter a number once issued.
It is, however, tied to your business identity, a dynamic company profile that exists separately from you personal identity and changes as your company changes. Your business profile includes Dun & Bradstreet scores and ratings, including the D&B PAYDEX®, D&B Delinquency Predictor Score and the D&B Financial Stress Score.