OMB Seeks Comments on Grant Applicant ID Numbers - Nonprofit Issues

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Published: 11/12/2002

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OMB Seeks Comments on Grant Applicant ID Numbers

Send us your comments on the Universal Identifier for Grant Applicants by visiting our forum on grant streamlining.

As part of its effort to streamline the federal grants process, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has proposed that each nonprofit grant applicant be assigned a single identification number through the Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) -- the same system used by for-profit corporations for federal contracts.

OMB published a Proposed Policy on Use of a Universal Identifier by Grant Applicants on Oct. 30. Comments are due by Dec. 30. The proposed policy would require all grant applicants to apply to Dun and Bradstreet for a DUNS number before submitting a grant application, beginning in October 2003. The process is free, and requires about a dozen required data elements. However, most of these do not apply to nonprofits, such as “line of business,” and “name of owner.” The “legal structure” field does not have an option for nonprofit organization. See the Dun and Bradstreet website for the application process for a DUNS number.

An appropriate single identifier for nonprofit grant applicants would help simplify the grants system, make secure electronic transactions with federal agencies possible, and make public information on grants more accessible. The Streamlining Grants Management Project, co-sponsored by OMB Watch, the Urban Institute and GuideStar, is collecting comments and ideas on the best way to establish a single identification number for federal grant applicants. We will submit comments to OMB incorporating that input, and also encourage nonprofits to submit comments directly. OMB is encouraging commentors to send their statements by email to sswab@omb.eop.gov, with “DUNS Comments” in the subject line. For further details see the OMB announcement.