Data Universal Numbering System
Encyclopedia
The Data Universal Numbering System, abbreviated as DUNS or D-U-N-S, is a system developed and regulated by Dun & Bradstreet
(D&B), that assigns a unique numeric identifier, referred to as a "DUNS number" to a single business entity. It was introduced in 1963 to support D&B's credit reporting practice. It is a common standard worldwide. DUNS users include the European Commission
, the United Nations
and the United States government. More than 50 global, industry, and trade associations recognize, recommend, or require DUNS. The DUNS database contains over 100 million entries for businesses throughout the world.
check digit
to support error detection. Discontinuing the check digit increased the inventory of available DUNS numbers by 800 million. There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number. When obtaining a DUNS number online, the wait can be as long as 30 days; when requesting a DUNS number by phone (and paying an investigation fee), it is issued immediately.
Unlike national employer identification number
s, a DUNS number may be issued to any business worldwide. Certain U.S. government agencies require that a vendor have a DUNS number as well as a U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN). Other agencies, such as some United Nations offices and Australian government agencies, require certain businesses to have a DUNS number. DUNS numbers are now available to individuals; previously, DUNS numbers could only be obtained by corporations or other organizations.
A DUNS number is also a way in which separate corporate entities, having no official relationship, can be branded as one by sharing one DUNS number among the affiliated companies.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a United States federal agency, announced in the June 27, 2003 issue of the Federal Register
(68 FR 38402) that a DUNS number would be required for all grant applicants for new or renewal awards submitted on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number is a supplement to other identifiers, such as the EIN, and is required whether the application is made electronically or on paper.
A DUNS number is sometimes formatted with embedded dashes to promote readability, such as "15-048-3782". Modern usage typically omits dashes, and shows the number as in the form "150483782". The dashes are not part of D&B's official definition of the DUNS number.
Numerous other business-numbering systems exist independent of DUNS—for example, the International Suppliers Network
system. However, few, if any, register as many international businesses as DUNS.
The DUNS number replaced another coding system known as ACASS
. The ACASS number was abolished on October 5, 2005, when a modernized platform replaced the ACASS system. The ACASS system now uses the DUNS number, rather than the former ACASS number. Firms should supply their DUNS number, and notify the requester of the discontinuation of the ACASS number, when asked for their ACASS number.
Alternatively, DUNS numbers for companies that do business with the U.S. Federal government can be found by looking up the company name via advanced search at https://www.bpn.gov/CCRSearch/Search.aspx.
Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet is a Fortune 500 public company headquartered in Short Hills, New Jersey, USA that provides information on businesses and corporations for use in credit decisions, B2B marketing and supply chain management...
(D&B), that assigns a unique numeric identifier, referred to as a "DUNS number" to a single business entity. It was introduced in 1963 to support D&B's credit reporting practice. It is a common standard worldwide. DUNS users include the European Commission
European Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and the United States government. More than 50 global, industry, and trade associations recognize, recommend, or require DUNS. The DUNS database contains over 100 million entries for businesses throughout the world.
Details
The DUNS number is a nine-digit number, issued by D&B, assigned to each business location in the D&B database, having a unique, separate, and distinct operation for the purpose of identifying them. The DUNS number is random, and the digits have no apparent significance. Until approximately December 2006, the DUNS number contained a mod-10Luhn algorithm
The Luhn algorithm or Luhn formula, also known as the "modulus 10" or "mod 10" algorithm,is a simple checksum formula used to validate a variety of identification numbers, such as credit card numbers, IMEI numbers, National Provider Identifier numbers in US and Canadian Social Insurance Numbers...
check digit
Check digit
A check digit is a form of redundancy check used for error detection, the decimal equivalent of a binary checksum. It consists of a single digit computed from the other digits in the message....
to support error detection. Discontinuing the check digit increased the inventory of available DUNS numbers by 800 million. There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number. When obtaining a DUNS number online, the wait can be as long as 30 days; when requesting a DUNS number by phone (and paying an investigation fee), it is issued immediately.
Unlike national employer identification number
Employer identification number
Applicable to the United States, an Employer Identification Number or EIN is the corporate equivalent to a Social Security Number, although it is issued to anyone, including individuals, who has to pay withholding taxes on employees.-Other names:Also known as the Tax Identification Number ,...
s, a DUNS number may be issued to any business worldwide. Certain U.S. government agencies require that a vendor have a DUNS number as well as a U.S. Employer Identification Number (EIN). Other agencies, such as some United Nations offices and Australian government agencies, require certain businesses to have a DUNS number. DUNS numbers are now available to individuals; previously, DUNS numbers could only be obtained by corporations or other organizations.
A DUNS number is also a way in which separate corporate entities, having no official relationship, can be branded as one by sharing one DUNS number among the affiliated companies.
The U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a United States federal agency, announced in the June 27, 2003 issue of the Federal Register
Federal Register
The Federal Register , abbreviated FR, or sometimes Fed. Reg.) is the official journal of the federal government of the United States that contains most routine publications and public notices of government agencies...
(68 FR 38402) that a DUNS number would be required for all grant applicants for new or renewal awards submitted on or after October 1, 2003. The DUNS number is a supplement to other identifiers, such as the EIN, and is required whether the application is made electronically or on paper.
A DUNS number is sometimes formatted with embedded dashes to promote readability, such as "15-048-3782". Modern usage typically omits dashes, and shows the number as in the form "150483782". The dashes are not part of D&B's official definition of the DUNS number.
Numerous other business-numbering systems exist independent of DUNS—for example, the International Suppliers Network
International Suppliers Network
The International Suppliers Network is a system which logs and tracks vendors. Major companies such as General Motors often use the ISN to establish the "trustworthy" status of a new vendor...
system. However, few, if any, register as many international businesses as DUNS.
The DUNS number replaced another coding system known as ACASS
ACASS
ACASS, or Architect-Engineer Contract Administration Support System, was developed in 1975, in response to The 1972 Brooks Architect-Engineer Act, Public Law 92-582...
. The ACASS number was abolished on October 5, 2005, when a modernized platform replaced the ACASS system. The ACASS system now uses the DUNS number, rather than the former ACASS number. Firms should supply their DUNS number, and notify the requester of the discontinuation of the ACASS number, when asked for their ACASS number.
DUNS number lookup (US only)
The DUNS lookup process has used the following steps:- Search the company name at DNB.com using "nationwide" as the state.
- Find the correct company and note the state.
- Load FEDGOV.DNB.com and enter the company name and state.
- Enter the CAPTCHACAPTCHAA CAPTCHA is a type of challenge-response test used in computing as an attempt to ensure that the response is generated by a person. The process usually involves one computer asking a user to complete a simple test which the computer is able to generate and grade...
text and Submit. - View source or mouseover the request links and look for "javascript:doSubmitRequestDUNSForm", without the quotes - the number will be embedded in the URL.
Alternatively, DUNS numbers for companies that do business with the U.S. Federal government can be found by looking up the company name via advanced search at https://www.bpn.gov/CCRSearch/Search.aspx.
See also
- CAGE CodeCommercial and Government EntityThe Commercial And Government Entity Code, or CAGE Code, is a unique identifier assigned to suppliers to various government or defense agencies, as well as to government agencies themselves and also various organizations...
issued by the Defense Logistics Information ServiceDefense Logistics Information ServiceThe DLA Logistics Information Service, or formerly the Defense Logistics Information Service provides logistics and information technology services to the United States Department of Defense, Federal agencies, and international partners.-External links:*...
to identify suppliers to the Department of DefenseUnited States Department of DefenseThe United States Department of Defense is the U.S... - PaydexPaydexPaydex is a term used in business, for a numerical score granted by Dun and Bradstreet to Business as a credit score for the promptness of their payments to creditors...
score, which is used to determine the creditworthiness of a corporation, similar to the FICOFicoFico may refer to:* Fair Isaac Corporation , an American company* FICO score, a credit score developed by Fair Isaac Corporation * Hurricane Fico, a hurricane in the 1978 Pacific hurricane season...
score used for individuals - T.P.I.N. number issued by the Central Contractor RegistrationCentral Contractor RegistrationThe Central Contractor Registration is the primary supplier database for the U.S. Federal government. The CCR collects data from suppliers, validates and stores this data, and disseminates it to various government acquisition agencies....
of the U.S. Government - U.S. employer identification numberEmployer identification numberApplicable to the United States, an Employer Identification Number or EIN is the corporate equivalent to a Social Security Number, although it is issued to anyone, including individuals, who has to pay withholding taxes on employees.-Other names:Also known as the Tax Identification Number ,...
issued by the United States Internal Revenue Service
External links
- DNB.com, Register for a D-U-N-S number
- FEDGOV.DNB.com, D-U-N-S Lookup form for U.S. Federal Government suppliers
- Dun & Bradstreet UK & Ireland , Register for a D-U-N-S number