In 2023, Council on Aging will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a variety of services, including those aimed at addressing the social isolation and behavioral health needs of older adults. These services will be funded primarily, or in part, by federal tax dollars. The nature of the RFP and the needs it aims to address may provide opportunities for a variety of businesses and organizations that have never before held a contract with Council on Aging. To be included in future email distributions for RFPs, click here to complete a short form.
Any business or organization that wishes to submit a bid to provide a federally-funded service through Council on Aging’s RFP process must have a Unique Entity ID, issued by the federal government (or already be in process of obtaining this ID). Any business, organization or entity that does not have a Unique Entity ID (or a DUNS Number that has been converted to a Unique Entity ID) must receive one or be in process of obtaining one, prior to submitting a bid for a Council on Aging RFP.
While there is no cost to apply for and receive a Unique Entity ID, the process to apply for the ID is reported to take at least 10 business days to process – and likely quite a bit longer. Council on Aging recommends any business or organization considering submitting a response to the organization’s planned 2023 RFPs do so now to allow ample time to successfully complete the steps required to receive a Unique Entity ID. Information on how to start this process is included below.
What is a Unique Entity ID?
The Unique Entity ID is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to an organization or business (called an “entity”) by SAM.gov.
How do I apply for a Unique Entity ID to work with federal government funded programs?
If your business or organization has worked with federally-funded programs in the past, you must ensure you have transferred your DUNS Number to a Unique Entity ID, follow directions in Section One below to learn how.
If your business or organization has never been issued a DUNS Number or Unique Entity ID, but may wish to bid for programs and services supported by federal funding in the future, please plan to apply for a Unique Entity ID (see Section Two).
Section One: Instructions for agencies with a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) Number
Agencies currently contracted with COA to provide services under the Title III program have a DUNS Number. On April 4, 2022, the unique entity identifier used across the federal government changed from the DUNS Number to the Unique Entity ID (generated by SAM.gov). Existing registered entities can find their Unique Entity ID by following the steps here.
Section Two: Agency without a Unique Entity ID and/or existing DUNS Number
Please visit SAM.gov | Entity Registrations for instructions on how to apply for a Unique Entity ID
- The Unique Entity ID is free
- Businesses and organizations that will participate in federally-funded programs are required to have a Unique Entity ID
- These businesses and organizations are required to register at SAMS.gov
- New registrations are estimated to take an average of seven to 10 business days to process. We recommend allowing more time.
Helpful Information Available
- Click here to view a check list about registration and applying for a Unique Entity ID.
- Instructions to get started with Registration and the Unique Entity ID are located here: SAM.gov | Entity Registrations
- Multiple forms of customer service support are outlined on SAM.gov including FAQs, call and live chat options. Tutorials for setting up the Unique Identifier ID are located here: SAM.gov | Home
Get updates about Council on Aging’s Request for Proposals (RFPs)
Please share your contact information to be included in future email distributions for RFPs. Services put out to bid by Council on Aging through the RFP process are funded by a variety of sources, including federal funding and local tax levies. Click here to complete a short form.