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GAO-12-715R 1 (2012-06-12)

handle is hein.gao/gaobacgdy0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Accountabiliy - Integrity - Reliability United States Government Accountability Office Washington, DC 20548 June 12, 2012 The Honorable E. Benjamin Nelson Chairman Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Committee on Appropriations United States Senate Subject: Government Is Analyzing Alternatives for Contractor Identification Numbers In 2011, the federal government spent more than $1 trillion on contracts and grants. To help manage and oversee these activities, the government relies on a number of data systems which are used, for example, to advertise solicitations, report awards, and track performance. The government needs a way to distinguish between the numerous entities with which it does business. For decades, the government has relied on Dun & Bradstreet's Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) as a unique identifier. The General Services Administration (GSA) contracts with Dun & Bradstreet for use of DUNS numbers in governmentwide data systems. Over time, DUNS numbers have become embedded in various government data systems and processes, and all prospective contractors, grantees, and other federal aid recipients generally are required to have a DUNS number in order to do business with the government. In recent years, government officials have expressed concerns about the rising costs of using DUNS numbers. In addition, other companies that offer unique identifier numbering systems have questioned why the government will not consider their products and services as an alternative to DUNS numbers. You asked us to review the federal government's use of DUNS numbers. In response, we examined (1) how the government currently contracts for and uses DUNS numbers; (2) the challenges posed by the government's use of DUNS numbers; and (3) steps GSA has taken to mitigate these challenges. To address these objectives, we analyzed GSA documents such as analyses of alternatives and contracts and interviewed officials from GSA, other agencies, and Dun & Bradstreet. We also interviewed officials from companies that compete with Dun & Bradstreet in commercial markets. We conducted this performance audit from January 2012 to June 2012 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those GAO-12-715R

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