FWS System for Award Management (SAM) Information 
 
This is a knowledge base (wiki) for FWS Financial Assistance Systems relating to SAM. The information in this knowledge base is for individuals who have responsibilities related to FWS Financial Assistance programs. This includes agreements officers, program managers, grant specialists, and financial assistance partners and award recipients.
 
Federal law (2 CFR Part 25, Central Contractor Registration and Data Universal Numbering System) mandates that all entities applying for Federal financial assistance must have a valid Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number and have a current registration in the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). The CCR functionality was consolidated into the System for Award Management (SAM) in September 2012. 
 
Vendors previously registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) must now log into SAM to update their information at http://www.sam.gov. New vendors can register in SAM at sam.gov by clicking on create account or register. All vendors and government access should have been transitioned from CCR to SAM.
 
Exemptions and Waivers: The SAM and DUNS registration requirements do not apply to individuals submitting an application on their own behalf and not on behalf of a company or other for-profit entity, State, local or Tribal government, academia or other type of organization.

In addition to private individuals who have an automatic exemption, the Service may waive:

  1. Award recipients whose information may be compromised as a result of disclosure, and/or
  2. Non-domestic entities applying for or receiving an award or sub-award for a project performed outside of the United States valued less than $25,000, from the SAM and DUNS registration requirements.

Registration in SAM and Duns & Bradstreet (D&B) are free. There are businesses out there that will help entities register in SAM and D&B for a fee. They are not part of the federal registration process and entities do not have to use them. If an entity believes it should not have been charged for the services it received, the federal agency will not be able to assist directly. However, it is free to seek a refund from the company itself, or contact agencies such as the Better Business Bureau for further assistance.

For more information on how to request a SAM/DUNS waiver, contact the Financial Assistance Policy and Oversight Branch (FAPO).

For FWS information on SAM, please refer to the topics on the left navigation pane. If you are a recipient and have issues with your SAM registration please see Federal Service Desk Information.

If you have questions, comments, or suggestions about the FA Wiki or any of its content, email them to us.

 

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