Notice Number: NOT-OD-11-004
Key Dates
Release Date:
October 22, 2010
Related Notices:
NOT-OD-03-055
NOT-OD-11-005
NOT-OD-11-006
Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Purpose
On August 14, 2003, NIH issued Guide Notice NOT-OD-03-055 requiring the use of the Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number when applying for NIH grants. Effective October 1, 2010, this policy is being expanded to require all applicant and grantee organizations to obtain a DUNS number and maintain an active registration in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) database. Additionally, all NIH grantees must notify potential first-tier subrecipients that no entity may receive a first-tier subaward unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to the prime grantee organization.
These requirements will ensure use of a universal identifier and to enhance the quality of information available to the public when recipients begin on October 1, 2010 to report information on subawards, as required by the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, as amended ("the Transparency Act"). To implement these requirements, NIH Grantee and Applicant organizations should verify that they have a DUNS number or take steps to obtain one as soon as possible.
- Organizations that do not have a DUNS number can receive a DUNS number at no cost by calling the dedicated toll-free number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or by using the web-based form available at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. Registration is brief and can be completed immediately when requested by phone, or within 1-2 business days when requested through the webform.
- Organizations that have not registered with CCR will need to obtain a DUNS number first and then access the CCR online registration through the CCR home page at https://www.bpn.gov/ccr/default.aspx (U.S. organizations will also need to provide an Employer Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service that may take an additional 2-5 weeks to become active). Completing and submitting the registration takes approximately one hour to complete and your CCR registration will take 3-5 business days to process.
Additional information on implementing FFATA, including NIH and OMB FAQs and training resources, can be found on the NIH FFATA web site at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/public_accountability/ffata.htm.
Policy
On September 14, 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued Final Guidance in the Federal Register (Volume 75, No. 177) on Financial Assistance Use of Universal Identifier and Central Contractor Registration (2 CFR Subtitle A Part 25). Effectively immediately with this Guide Notice, NIH hereby implements the term below into all Notices of Award issued on/after the date of this announcement by incorporating it on the Award Conditions and Information website found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/awardconditions.htm. This website is already provided as a reference in all Notice of Awards, Section III.
Full text of the award term is provided below. Grantees are reminded that this award term must be incorporated into all consortium agreements when applicable.
CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION AND UNIVERSAL IDENTIFIER REQUIREMENTS
A. Requirement for Central Contractor Registration (CCR)
Unless you are exempted from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110, you as the recipient must maintain the currency of your information in the CCR until you submit the final financial report required under this award or receive the final payment, whichever is later. This requires that you review and update the information at least annually after the initial registration, and more frequently if required by changes in your information or another award term.
B. Requirement for Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Numbers
If you are authorized to make subawards under this award, you:
- Must notify potential subrecipients that no entity (see definition in paragraph C of this award term) may receive a subaward from you unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.
- May not make a subaward to an entity unless the entity has provided its DUNS number to you.
C. Definitions
For purposes of this award term:
1. Central Contractor Registration (CCR) means the Federal repository into which an entity must provide information required for the conduct of business as a recipient. Additional information about registration procedures may be found at the CCR Internet site (currently at http://www.ccr.gov).
2. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number means the nine-digit number established and assigned by Dun and Bradstreet, Inc. (D&B) to uniquely identify business entities. A DUNS number may be obtained from D&B by telephone (currently 866 705 5711) or the Internet (currently at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform).
3. Entity, as it is used in this award term, means all of the following, as defined at 2 CFR part 25, subpart C:
a. A Governmental organization, which is a State, local government, or Indian Tribe;
b. A foreign public entity;
c. A domestic or foreign nonprofit organization;
d. A domestic or foreign for-profit organization; and
e. A Federal agency, but only as a subrecipient under an award or subaward to a non-Federal entity.
4. Subaward:
a. This term means a legal instrument to provide support for the performance of any portion of the substantive project or program for which you received this award and that you as the recipient award to an eligible subrecipient.
b. The term does not include your procurement of property and services needed to carry out the project or program (for further explanation, see Sec. ll.210 of the attachment to OMB Circular A 133, Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations ).
c. A subaward may be provided through any legal agreement, including an agreement that you consider a contract.
5. Subrecipient means an entity that:
a. Receives a subaward from you under this award; and
b. Is accountable to you for the use of the Federal funds provided by the subaward.
Inquiries
Please direct all inquiries to:
Division of Grants Policy
Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration
National Institutes of Health
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 350
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 435-0938
FAX: (301) 435-3059
EMAIL: GrantsPolicy@od.nih.gov
and Human Services (HHS)
