Changes from DUNS Number to Unique Entity ID

02/10/2020 |

2020 will bring several changes to the grant world. A notable change required for receiving federal funding includes replacing the Dun & Bradstreet DUNS number with a new Unique Entity ID (UEI). The UEI will be a 12-character, alphanumeric value. This will not only be a change in the number but also include a change in the process of both requesting and obtaining a UEI number. As with the DUNS number, the definition of what makes an entity unique will remain based on information not matched by any other existing registered entity. The future burden will also be reduced by making the change only once, even if a different entity validation service (EVS) provider is selected in the future.

Between now and December 2020, the established registration process applies, and it is business as usual for non-federal entities. Meaning, new entities will continue to register for a DUNS number and then register in SAM.gov. Existing entities will continue to renew registration as usual.

By the end of December 2020, the SAM-generated UEI will replace the DUNS number and become the official identifier.

New entities requesting a UEI will go to SAM.gov to request their UEI, register their entity, and make any updates to their legal business name and physical address. Customer support will also now be at a single helpdesk for all UEI and entity registration issues.

Existing entities’ transition will not be too difficult. Their registration will automatically be assigned a new UEI, which will be displayed in SAM.gov. The purpose of registration, core data, assertions, representations & certifications, and points of contact in SAM.gov will not change, and no one will be required to re-enter this data. The DUNS number assigned will also be retained for historical search purposes.

While GSA has already begun transitioning by developing necessary tools and creating technical specifications, the go-live date for the new UEI is January 1, 2021. The GSA will also publish more information during this transition.

 

Register for our February Webinar Wednesday!
February 26, 2020

“Unique Entity Identifier Transition”

Presented by
Nancy Goode, Director of Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement
Integrated Award Environment (IAE) at the General Services Administration

DOT Launches New ROUTES Initiative To Improve Rural Transportation

11/16/2019 |

Here in the D.C. area, driving on often congested urban highways, it can be easy for one to forget that there is a whole country of rural roads out there that are vital transportation corridors but have their own challenges with which to contend. For example, according to the Department of Transportation (DOT), more than 70% of our nation’s road miles are in rural areas, and while only one-fifth of the American population lives in rural areas, rural traffic fatalities are disproportionately high, totaling 46% of fatalities in 2018. Further, 90% of posted (i.e., limited weight) bridges are in rural areas and heavy trucks cannot cross these bridges. To find a safe bridge, heavy trucks hauling in rural areas must travel three-times the distance as in metro areas.

To address these concerns, DOT has launched a new initiative — the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative — to support rural transportation needs. Under this initiative, DOT will assess its discretionary funding and financing opportunities to improve nationwide outcomes for rural communities’ transportation infrastructure. DOT will assist rural stakeholders in understanding how to access DOT grants and financing products, and developing data-driven approaches to better assess needs and benefits of rural transportation projects.

The initiative builds on DOT’s Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Loan Program’s Rural Project Initiative, which offers lower project-cost thresholds for loan eligibility, subsidized interest rates, and the coverage of fees to encourage use of the credit program for infrastructure projects in rural areas. The department will meet with rural transportation stakeholders at events over the coming year to educate project sponsors about the funding and finance opportunities at DOT, as well as to receive their feedback.

The initiative will be led by the newly-created ROUTES Council, chaired by the DOT Undersecretary for Transportation, which will identify critical rural transportation concerns and coordinate efforts among DOT’s different modal administrations. The council will initially review public comments and create a rural resources handbook, holding its first meeting in November.

It will be interesting to see what develops from this initiative. Hopefully, grant funding can be better used to meet the needs on rural roads, reduce fatalities and ease transport burdens.

5 Reasons to Join Your Professional Grants Management Association – NGMA!

10/16/2019 |

 A letter to new grants professionals!

If you’re a grants management professional and haven’t joined a professional organization like the National Grants Management Association, you’re likely missing out on important career-building opportunities! Take a look at our top five reasons to join!

#1 Unparalleled Networking Opportunities
The opportunities that NGMA provides for networking are many, but most important is the possibility of connecting with people at conferences, chapter meetings, educational training and online. NGMA member benefits provide access to online chats and forums that gives members the ability to ask questions and explore different topics. Members connect the work they’re doing with others across the country and globally. Building that national or even global network helps our members solve problems in their local areas, discover best practices, and even connect to job opportunities they may not otherwise have known about.

#2 Vital Component of Lifelong Learning
Through NGMA, you’ll have access to continuing education, industry news updates, and conferences.  These resources are critical to continuing education, which in turn can lead to better processes, systems, and personal career outcomes.  NGMA also provides opportunities to become a credentialed Certified Grants Management Specialist (CGMS)! This credential confers formal recognition of professional competency in the full lifecycle of grants management which can propel a grant professional’s career to the next level.

#3 Source of Mentorship 
NGMA is where you can find experts who will help advance your knowledge and skills. The range of expertise and experience within the NGMA community can provide a wealth of resources to members who are active. Participating in the NGMA Social Community (found on ngma.org) is the perfect place to start building connections with peers, industry experts, obtain sample documents, share ideas and ask questions! There are also special sections specifically for the CGMS, local chapters, or special interests.

 #4 Local Chapter, Webinars, and Regional Events
One of NGMA’s most coveted member benefits is our free chapters! NGMA’s chapters are extremely active, often meeting several times throughout the year and offering CPEs to attendees by way of timely and interesting presentations! NGMA offers opportunities for members to obtain CPEs and take trainings online through our webinar series. Webinars are also archived online and can be viewed as many times as you’d like! In addition to the webinar series, NGMA offers trainings both in the DC area as well as on the road, our GMBoK training program.

#5 Career and Leadership Development
When we are able to connect with people in our field, we have the opportunity to advance our careers! Becoming actively involved with your association not only opens up educational and networking opportunities, but it can also help us hone our leadership skills. Volunteers play an important role in the mission and vision of NGMA. There are a number of opportunities throughout the year to volunteer, whether you are looking for a long-term opportunity for a short-term project. NGMA actively recruits leaders to serve on the Membership, Education and CGMS Committees.  Visit our website to learn more about each committee’s mission.

Join NGMA today!

If you are new to grants management, we look forward to welcoming you to the NGMA family. Reach out to me (gail@ngma.org) with any questions you may have, and I will be happy to get you settled into your new home at NGMA and make sure that you know how to make the most of your member benefits!

Sincerely,

Gail Remy, Senior Manager of Membership & Chapters