dotMil and dotGov TechComm Consulting: Part 2

What do you need to get started?

The Federal government requires that all applicants for Federal grants and cooperative agreements with the exception of individuals other than sole proprietors, have a DUNS number.

That means that if you’re an S Corporation or a C Corporation, or in any way shape or form NOT working as a d/b/a sole proprietorship you will need your DUNS number. 

Great… What is a @#@# DUNS Number

Sounds difficult, doesn’t it? Let me shortcut this for you: Before you can bid on anything as a small business, you must have a DUNS number.

Getting a DUNS number is free and takes only a few minutes. Just click beneath the fold…

Getting your DUNS Online for free

Try this nifty D&B DUNS web form: D&B Web Form for DUNS Number Request. See the bottom for the information you’ll need.

Quoting From whitehouse.gov  the steps are simple:

To Obtain Your DUNS Number by phone: Call D&B using the toll-free number, 1-866-705-5711 and indicate that you are a Federal grant applicant/prospective applicant.

Obtaining a DUNS number is absolutely free for all entities doing business with the Federal government.

This includes grant and cooperative agreement applicants/prospective applicants and Federal contractors. Be certain that you identify yourself as a Federal grant applicant/prospective applicant.

D&B will ask you to provide the information listed below and will immediately assign you a number, free of charge.

Please call the dedicated toll-free DUNS Number request line for Federal grant and cooperative agreement applicants or prospective grant applicants at:

1-866-705-5711

The number is staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time of the caller when calling from within the continental United States).

You will need to provide the following information:

• Legal Name
• Headquarters name and address for your organization
• Doing business as (DBA) or other name by which your organization is commonly known or recognized
• Physical Address, City, State and Zip Code
• Mailing Address(is separate from Headquarters and/or physical address)
• Telephone Number
• Contact Name and Title
• Number of Employees at your physical location
• The process to request number takes about 5-10 minutes.
• A DUNS number will be assigned at the conclusion of the call.
My next article will go into answering their request for proposal and contract review. I may have my local Juris Doctor do a guest blogging for that one - he’s had much more experience than I have.