Version – February 25, 2014
Page 1 of 20
To: Offerors
From: Development Alternative Inc. (DAI)
Date: Friday, May 02, 2014
Subject: Request for Proposals (RFP) #GCD008
Reference: USAID/Grand Challenges for Development
Dear Offerors:
Enclosed is a Request for Proposals (RFP) to support the implementation of DAI’s Grand Challenges for Development project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). DAI invites firms to submit a proposal for work to be funded by USAID under the Grand Challenges for Development Implementation Services Contract.
I. Anticipated Award Type – The award resulting from this RFP is anticipated to be a Fixed Price Purchase Order. All deliverables resulting from award must be submitted no later than the Purchase Order completion date of September 30, 2014.
II. Submission of Questions – Questions must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm EDT on May 8, 2014. DAI will respond to these questions no later than 5:00 pm EDT on May 13, 2014.
III. Submission of Proposals – Proposals must be submitted no later than 5:00 pm EDT on May 30, 2014 via email at [email protected]. The subject line of the email should include the full RFP Number and Title.
IV. Composition of Proposal – The proposal is comprised of the following submission documents:
Section 1 – Proposal Submission Documents
a. Signed Proposal Cover Letter (see Appendix B) b. Proposal Checklist (see Appendix C)
Section 2 – Technical Proposal
a. Technical Approach – Offerors must describe their proposed approach to providing assistance to Securing Water for Food (SWFF) awardees per the Scope of Work, including preparatory steps, technical assistance, and resources. Offeror should describe how they will engage SWFF awardees and assist them in developing short “TED-like” pitches of their innovation at World Water Week; offeror should also provide examples of similar work in the past
(including, if possible, links to videos) and successes and failures of their experience in this area. Offeror should also describe existing networks within the water and ag industries and how the offeror will use these networks to facilitate introductions for awardees at World Water Week. Finally, offerors should provide a detailed description of their approach (which should be highly interactive) and curriculum for workshops to be held during World Water Week. Offeror should also provide information (bios) about facilitators for these sessions. b. Summary of Relevant Work Experience – Offerors must submit evidence of previous
experience in innovator engagement that is particularly relevant to all areas detailed in this RFP (5 examples of relevant previous work). Offerors should highlight work that has been done for private sector companies, other international development organizations, government
agencies, or NGOs. Experience should include descriptions of how offeror effectively engaged solution providers (innovators). Offerors should highlight experience working with innovators from developed and developing countries. Offerors must use Appendix D to provide the requested information, and include examples or links to examples in the proposal submission.
c. Implementation Plan and Timeline – Offerors must include an Implementation Plan and Timeline with their proposal that details significant milestones or supporting activities required to achieve the deliverables outlined in this RFP.
Section 3 – Cost Proposal
a. Offerors must complete the Priced Deliverable and Payment Schedule in Appendix E for all specified Deliverables. Price shall include all labor, other direct costs (travel, materials, etc.) and overhead required for the completion of each deliverable. Please note that travel (and registration) to World Water Week, which takes place August 30 – September 5, 2014 should be included in offeror’s cost proposal.
b. Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS)
There is a mandatory requirement for your organization to provide a DUNS number to DAI. The Data Universal Numbering System is a system developed and regulated by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) that assigns a unique numeric identifier, referred to as a "DUNS number" to a single business entity. Without a DUNS number, DAI cannot deem an Offeror
“responsible” to conduct business with and therefore, DAI will not enter into a purchase order with any organization. The determination of a successful offeror/applicant resulting from this RFP is contingent upon the winner providing a DUNS number to DAI. Offerors who fail to provide a DUNS number will not receive an award and DAI will select an alternate Offeror. All U.S. and foreign organizations which receive first-tier subcontracts/ purchase orders with a value of $25,000 and above are required to obtain a DUNS number prior to signing of the agreement. Organizations are exempt from this requirement if the gross income received from all sources in the previous tax year was under $300,000. DAI requires that Offerors sign the self-certification statement if the Offeror claims exemption for this reason.
For those required to obtain a DUNS number, see Attachment F - Instructions for Obtaining a DUNS Number - DAI’S Vendors, Subcontractors
For those not required to obtain a DUNS number, see Attachment G : Self Certification for Exemption from DUNS Requirement
V. Evaluation of Proposals – DAI will use best value determination for the award of this purchase order. A best value determination means that, in DAI’s estimation, the selected offer will provide the greatest overall benefit to the Grand Challenges Project in response to the requirements stated in this RFP. DAI will use the trade-off process to make a best value determination, which means that it may be in the interest of DAI to consider award to other than the lowest priced offeror or other than the highest technically rated offeror. The evaluation factors and allocated points are presented below. a. Technical Approach (35 points) – Points for this section will be awarded based on the information
presented in the technical approach. The Technical approach should elaborate the
conceptualization process that will be used to design and implement all activities requested in this scope of work.
b. Relevant Experience (35 points) – Points for this section will be based on information presented in Appendix D. Preference will be given to firms that have previous experience working with innovators in the water and/or agricultural sectors.
c. Implementation Plan & Timeline (10 points) – Points for this section will be based on whether the Offeror understands the activities to be undertaken, the order in which they should occur and timeline by which they should be completed.
d. Cost (20 points) – Points for this section will be dependent upon all information presented by the Offeror in Priced Deliverable and Payment Schedule in Appendix E. Cost proposals will be evaluated for reasonableness and allowability.
DAI will consider the tradeoffs between the quality of each individual section, weighted as outlined above.. A bid committee will be convened to evaluate each proposal.
VI. Offeror’s Agreement with Terms and Conditions – The completion of all RFP requirements in accordance with the instructions in this RFP and submission to DAI of the technical and price proposals will constitute an offer and indicate the Offeror’s agreement to the terms and conditions in this RFP and any attachments hereto. DAI reserves the right to award a subcontract without
discussion and/or negotiation; however, DAI also reserves the right to conduct discussions and/or negotiations, which among other things may require an Offeror(s) to revise its proposal (technical and/or price). Issuance of this RFP in no way obligates DAI to award a subcontract, nor does it commit DAI to pay any costs incurred by the Offeror in preparing and submitting the proposal. DAI reserves the right to award a PO to one organization or to issue multiple awards to different
APPENDIX A
STATEMENT OF WORK
USAID Grand Challenges Awardee Acceleration Workshop SOW Period of Performance 07/21/2014 – 9/19/2014
BACKGROUND
The Grand Challenges for Development initiative was launched in early 2011 in accordance with: (i) the President’s Strategy for American Innovation that calls for government agencies to increase their ability to promote and harness innovation through policy tools such as awards and competitions; and (ii) the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Forward reform agenda that brings renewed attention to science and technology’s role in solving international development problems. The Forward initiative focuses USAID and the international development community on addressing key barriers that limit
development progress, and puts forth a number of new approaches and tools to engage a broader community in the development efforts.
In support of this initiative, USAID’s Office of Science and Technology (OST) awarded the Grand Challenges for Development Implementation Services contract to DAI in October 2011. Under this 3 year contract, DAI provides support to USAID to increase its capacity to source, incubate, and accelerate high-potential science and technology solutions that overcome critical barriers to development through the implementation of new models that include the Grand Challenges for Development, Prize and Challenge Programs, Higher Education Solutions Network (HESN), the LAUNCH collaborative partnership and complementary OST initiatives. To date, five Grand Challenges for Development (GCDs) have been launched by USAID in collaboration with a wide constellation of partners. In February 2011, the Saving Lives at Birth Grand Challenge was launched to reduce the risk of maternal mortality during labor. The All Children Reading Grand Challenge was launched in November 2011, to improve childhood literacy in the developing world. In June of 2012, USAID began implementation of Powering Agriculture: an Energy Grand Challenge for Development to further integrate clean energy solutions within the agricultural supply chains; later that year, the Making All Voices Count Grand Challenge was initiated to seek technological innovations expanding access and accountability to governments in developing nations. In September 2013, USAID launched Securing Water for Food, which focuses on technology and business model innovations at the water/food nexus. Winners for each Grand Challenge for Development are celebrated at a public event, the Dev-X; in recent Grand Challenges, this celebration has also included initial support to awardees to help them “accelerate” their innovations. Initial acceleration support often includes skills-building workshops, mentorship, and other guidance.
This SOW supports the Securing Water for Food (SWFF) Grand Challenge for Development. SWFF is a $32 million program funded by USAID, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of The Netherlands (collectively, the “Founding Partners”). SWFF will identify and accelerate science and technology innovations and market-driven approaches that enable the production of more food with less water and/or make more water available for food production, processing, and distribution in developing and emerging countries.
SWFF is focused on three areas that are critical to reducing water scarcity in the food value chain:
Water Efficiency and Reuse – especially targeted at the food value chain. This will become a greater necessity as water availability is threatened by competition between industrial, agricultural, and energy uses. Improving water efficiency and reuse has tremendous potential water-saving benefits that may have multiplier effects at various levels of a country’s economy.
Water Capture and Storage. These systems are in high demand in many regions where rain occurs at limited times. With projected increases in rainfall variability due to climate change and increased demands for food production, capture and storage systems at various scales are needed to secure water supplies throughout the year and build resiliency to drought and floods.
Salinity and Salt Water Intrusion. In coastal areas, overpumping and rising sea levels are leading to saltwater intrusion, forcing farmers to use marginal quality water for irrigation. With more than 30% of the world’s population living in coastal areas and drawing food supply from fertile deltas, urgent solutions are required to reduce the impacts of salinity on the quality of aquifers and food production. SWFF will support innovators in two broad “stages” of the innovation lifecycle:
Stage 1 – Market-driven product/business development: These innovations have been verified through a standalone pilot or a series of pilots and now need to be tested and adapted for adoption in new developing or emerging countries. These innovations may require technical validation and proof of adoption/uptake in a new market.
Stage 2 - Scaling/Commercial Growth: These are established innovations that have already demonstrated a viable business model and are generating revenue. They require support for commercial growth, including adaptation of the innovation for larger scale production, market adoption, and distribution. It is expected that these innovations have already demonstrated technical feasibility and market acceptance and can provide evidence supporting these points.
In November 2013, the Founding Partners opened the first “call for innovations,” inviting applicants from around the world to submit a Concept Note that describes their innovation and target market. Offerors are strongly encouraged to read this call for innovations, available at www.securingwaterforfood.org . This call closed on January 31, 2014.
On March 21, the Founding Partners selected 83 semi-finalists to submit a Full Proposal and answer a more rigorous set of questions. Responses to these questions will be reviewed by an external panel, the Innovation Investment Advisory Committee1. In July 2014, the Founding Partners will hold in-person interviews with the top finalists. SWFF awardees will be selected in early August 2014 and announced and celebrated at World Water Week, which takes place August 31 - September 5, 2014. At the same event, DAI will hold:
A side-event during which awardees will deliver a short pitch of their innovations to WWW participants;
Skills-building workshops for awardees;
Introductory sessions on working with the Founding Partners; and
Mentoring from members of the Innovation Investment Advisory Committee.
The current portfolio of semi-finalists is includes a mix of types of organizations, including for-profit
ventures, nonprofits, and universities/research institutions. Organizations come from around the world. A list of semi-finalists can be found at http://www.securingwaterforfood.org/SWFF-semifinalists.html Note that by the time of World Water Week, the semi-finalist list will be winnowed to awardees, but offeror can expect the cohort to include the same types of organizations. At a later time, USAID will create a Technical Assistance facility to further support SWFF awardees.
This SOW will support activities at World Water Week, including preparing awardees for participation in the event and providing general entrepreneur support to awardees during World Water Week. Specific activities and deliverables are specified below. Throughout the period of performance, DAI will hold regular check-in/planning calls with the successful offeror.
1
The IIAC is a standing panel of 21 technical experts, business specialists, sustainable development experts, and researchers with extensive experience in water innovation. The IIAC is meant to be the recommending body for SWFF awards. The IIAC is envisioned to be a highly collaborative body comprised of members with substantial technical, investment, financial, market, and development expertise relevant to SWFF’s ability to make awards to the most technically sound, commercially viable, and sustainable organizations. We anticipate that the IIAC will include technical experts, business specialists, sustainable development experts, and researchers. Business specialists may include individuals from large companies (food production; food and beverage; water engineering), financial services, technology incubators and/or accelerators, and service providers.
OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES
Objective One: Prepare Innovators for Participation in World Water Week
Offeror will assist SWFF awardees to participate in World Water Week. Participation in World Water Week will give SWFF awardees an ideal opportunity to meet with peers, experts, and potential partners.
We do not have an exact number of awardees pre-determined. For the purposes of this SOW, offerors should assume work with approximately 25-30 awardees.
Objective One consists of two primary elements:
First, during World Water Week, SWFF awardees will participate in an open-to-the-public side event (which will take place on Monday, September 1), at which they’ll give a 3-minute presentation on their innovation. The offeror will iteratively coach all SWFF awardees to refine and present a “TED-like” pitch of their
innovation. Awardees will then give this presentation at the side event in Stockholm. Presentations should not only capture global interest, but also speak to key elements that are of interest to potential partners and investors, such as the business model, the management team, and the solution’s commercial viability. One week prior to World Water Week, awardees will give a “dry run” of their pitch to the SWFF Founding Partners. This “practice pitch” can be done via video-conference or skype. Offeror will organize logistics, capture notes, and provide further coaching to SWFF awardees as needed prior to World Water Week. At the World Water Week side event, the pitches will be captured in video format (by USAID) for future publishing on the web and could be used for introducing the innovator to global audiences, media and press contacts and potential partners. Offeror should provide post-event feedback to the awardees on their presentation.
Second, the offeror will also work with all awardees to identify and prioritize key contacts of individuals and organizations attending World Water Week. Such contacts may include peer entrepreneurs, private sector representatives, NGO leaders, academics and researchers, and others that may be helpful to the innovators. Offeror should draw heavily upon their own networks for this activity.
Deliverable 1: Work with each SWFF awardee to prepare a 3-minute pitch presentation of their innovation and approach; dry run of awardee pitch presentation will be delivered to the Founding Partners (via VTC or skype) one week prior to the water industry event. Capture notes and provide further coaching as needed. Offeror should provide post-event feedback to the awardees on their presentation.
Deliverable 2: Prepare for each awardee a prioritized and tailored list of key contacts at the event, as well as information about why the contact is relevant for the awardee. Facilitate introductions.
Objective Two: Provide Awardees with Entrepreneur Support
The offeror shall develop a strategy for engaging and preparing awardees in entrepreneur workshops to be held in conjunction with World Water Week. The envisioned short “entrepreneur bootcamp” workshops should build innovators’ capacity to pitch their solutions and engage global network of resources, experts, advisors, partners and investors in a curated experience that builds an action plan for bringing their solutions to commercial scale, and catalyzes concrete commitments from the stakeholders involved. The offeror does not need to secure space for this workshop; the offeror will be provided with basic logistical support for the workshop on-site. Offeror should hold a minimum of 4-6 sessions over the course of two days. Sessions should be highly interactive and engaging. Sessions should focus on (illustratively) product/business model innovation; building customer relationships; marketing; developing a growth strategy; streamlining
operations; developing the right partnerships; securing the right financing; navigating complex regulatory environments; etc. While some sessions could be specific to Stage 1 or 2 innovators, we would like all awardees to participate and find value in as many sessions as possible.
Deliverable 3: Prepare a detailed curriculum of entrepreneur workshop sessions. Deliverable 4: Deliver minimum of 4-6 sessions on-site at World Water Week.
SUMMARY OF DELIVERABLES
Deliverable 1 Work with each SWFF awardee to prepare a 3-minute pitch presentation of their innovation and approach; dry run of awardee pitch presentation will be delivered to the Founding Partners (via VTC or skype) one week prior to World Water Week. Capture notes and provide further coaching as needed until event at World Water Week. Provide post-event feedback to the awardees on their presentation.
August 22, 2014
Deliverable 2 Prepare for each awardee a prioritized and tailored list of key contacts at the event, as well as information about why the contact is relevant for the awardee. Facilitate introductions.
August 22, 2014
Deliverable 3 Prepare a detailed curriculum of entrepreneur workshop sessions. August 1. 2014 Deliverable 4 Deliver sessions on-site at World Water Week. September 5, 2014
APPENDIX B
PROPOSAL COVER LETTER [On Firm’s Letterhead]
Friday, May 02, 2014
TO: Ellen Van Eek
Development Alternatives, Inc.
USAID Grand Challenges for Development Project
We, the undersigned, provide the attached proposalin accordance with RFP XXXX dated XXXXX. Our attached proposal is for the total price of <Sum in Words ($0.00 Sum in Figures) >.
I certify a validity period of 30 days for the prices provided in the attached proposal. Our proposal shall be binding upon us subject to the modifications resulting from any discussions.
Offeror shall Verify here the items specified in Section A of this RFP document.
We understand that DAI is not required to accept and/or evaluate proposals that do not conform to the instructions of this RFP, and additionally, DAI may reject all proposals and not award a subcontract for this RFP.
Sincerely yours,
Authorized Signature: Name and Title of Signatory: Name of Firm:
APPENDIX C
PROPOSALCHECKLIST
(Please check all that apply and include this page in the sealed envelope with the proposal)
Offeror: __________________________________________________________________________
Have you?
Submitted your technical and financial proposal to [email protected] by the required deadline?
Does your proposal include the following?
Cover Letter (use template in Appendix B)
Summary of Relevant Work Experience (use form in Appendix D)
Past Performance References (Letters from clients submitted as Appendix D)
Implementation Plan, Timeline & Coordination Plan (to be submitted as Appendix E) Priced Deliverable and Payment Schedule (use template in Appendix E)
APPENDIX D - SUMMARY OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
Include projects that best illustrate your work experience relevant to this RFP, sorted by decreasing order of completion date.
Projects should have been undertaken in the past three years. Projects undertaken in the past six years may be taken into consideration at the discretion of the evaluation panel.
# Project Title Description of Activities Location Client Name Cost in USD$ Start-End Dates Completed on schedule (Yes/No) 1 2 3 4 5
APPENDIX E - PRICED DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Offerors shall enter proposed prices in the Bid Amount Column. Deliverables are defined in Appendix A – Scope of Work. Note that in addition to providing proposed prices for deliverables, the offeror should provide a detailed breakdown of costs.
No. Deliverable Amount $USD Percentage of Total
1 Work with each SWFF awardee to prepare a 3-minute pitch
presentation of their innovation and approach; dry run of awardee pitch presentation will be delivered to the Founding Partners (via VTC or skype) one week prior to World Water Week. Capture notes and provide further coaching as needed until event at World Water Week. Provide post-event feedback to the awardees on their presentation. 2 Prepare for each
awardee a prioritized and tailored list of key contacts at the event, as well as information about why the contact is relevant for the awardee. Facilitate introductions. 3 Prepare a detailed
curriculum of
entrepreneur workshop sessions.
4 Deliver sessions on-site at World Water Week.
APPENDIX F - Self Certification for Exemption from DUNS Requirement For Subcontractors and Vendors
Legal Business Name: Physical Address: Physical City:
Physical Foreign Province (if applicable): Physical Country:
Signature of Certifier
Full Name of Certifier (Last Name, First/Middle Names):
Title of Certifier:
Date of Certification (mm/dd/yyyy):
The sub-contractor/vendor whose legal business name is provided herein, certifies that we are an organization exempt from obtaining a DUNS number, as the gross income received from all sources in the previous tax year is under USD $300,000.
*By submitting this certification, the certifier attests to the accuracy of the representations and certifications contained herein. The certifier understands that s/he and/or the sub-contractor/vendor may be subject to penalties, if s/he misrepresents the sub-contractor/vendor in any of the representations or certifications to the Prime Contractor and/or the US Government.
The sub-contractor/vendor agrees to allow the Prime Contractor and/or the US Government to verify the company name, physical address, or other information provided herein. Certification validity is for one year from the date of certification.
APPENDIX G: INSTRUCTIONS FOR OBTAINING A DUNS NUMBER DAI’S VENDORS, SUBCONTRACTORS & GRANTEES
Note: The determination of a successful offeror/applicant resulting from this RFP/RFQ/RFA is contingent upon the winner providing a DUNS number to DAI. Organizations who fail to provide a DUNS number will not receive an award and DAI will select an alternate vendor/subcontractor/grantee.
--- Background:
Summary of Current U.S. Government Requirements- DUNS and Reporting in FSRS Database
The Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) is a system developed and managed by Dun and Bradstreet that assigns a unique nine-digit identifier to a business entity. It is a common standard world-wide and users include the U.S. Government, European Commission and the United Nations. The DUNS number will be used to better identify related organizations that are receiving U.S. federal funding, and to provide consistent name and address data for electronic application systems.
The U.S. Government requires that all applicants for first-tier monetary grants (i) and all first-tier subcontracts/purchase orders of $25,000 or above have a DUNS number prior to DAI issuing an award to that entity.
REQUIREMENT FOR DAI TO REPORT DATA IN THE FSRS DATABASE:
In addition, in accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2008; FAR
52.204-10, “Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards” (Revised July 2010); and
Subpart 4.14—“Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards,” effective March 1,
2011, DAI is required to report any newly awarded first-tier subcontracts $25,000 or above in the FSRS (Functional Security Requirements Specifications) database at http://www.fsrs.gov.
In accordance with AAPD 11-01 amended, all foreign entities receiving first-tier monetary grants (standard, simplified and FOGs) with a value equal to or over $25,000 and performing work outside the U.S. must
obtain a DUNS number prior to signing of the grant. All U.S. organizations who are recipients of first-tier
monetary grants of any value are required to obtain a DUNS number; the exemption for under $25,000 applies to foreign organizations only. In accordance with the AAPD as well as 2 CFR Parts 25 and 170, DAI is required to report on grantees in the FSRS database. The reported information for subcontracts and grants
will be available for the public to view at http://usaspending.gov.
Instructions detailing the process to be followed in order to obtain a DUNs number for your organization begin on the next page.
Note: There is a Mandatory Requirement for your Organization to Provide a DUNS number to DAI
I. SUBCONTRACTS/PURCHASE ORDERS: All domestic and foreign organizations which receive first-tier subcontracts/ purchase orders with a value of $25,000 and above are required to obtain a DUNS number prior to signing of the agreement. Your organization is exempt from this requirement if the gross income received from all sources in the previous tax year was under $300,000. Please see the self-certification form attached.
II. MONETARY GRANTS: All foreign entities receiving first-tier monetary grants (standard, simplified and FOGs) with a value equal to or over $25,000 and performing work outside the U.S. must obtain a DUNS number prior to signing of the grant. All U.S. organizations who are recipients of first-tier monetary grants of any value are required to obtain a DUNS number; the exemption for under $25,000 applies to foreign organizations only.
NO SUBCONTRACTS/POs ($25,000 + above) or MONETARY GRANTS WILL BE SIGNED BY DAI WITHOUT PRIOR RECEIPT OF A DUNS NUMBER.
THE PROCESS FOR OBTAINING A DUNS NUMBER IS OUTLINED BELOW:
1. Log on to the D&B (Dun & Bradstreet) DUNS registration website to begin the process of obtaining a DUNS
number free of charge.
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform/index.jsp
Please note there is a bar on the left for Frequently Asked Questions as well as emails and telephone numbers for persons at Dun & Bradstreet for you to contact if you have any questions or difficulties completing the application on-line. DAI is not authorized to complete the application on your organization’s behalf; the required data must be entered by an authorized official of your organization.
2. Select the Country where your company is physically located.
3. You will first be asked to search the existing DUNS database to see whether a DUNS number already
exists for your organization/entity. Subcontractors/grantees who already have a DUNS number may verify/update their DUNS records.
4. Potential DAI subcontractors/vendors/grantees who do not already have a DUNS number will be shown
the screen below. To request a new DUNS Number, the “Request a New D-U-N-S Number” button needs to be selected.
5. Enter the information regarding your organization listed on the next three screens. (See screen shots
below.) Make sure you have the following information available (in English) prior to beginning the process of entering this section in order to ensure successful registration.
Legal Business Name (commas are allowed, periods are not allowed)
Address
Name of Owner/Executive
Total Number of Employees
Annual Sales or Revenue (US Dollar equivalent)
Description of Operations
6. Note that some fields are Optional, however all other fields must be completed to proceed further with
the application process. For example, all applicants must complete the Organization Information sections. The Company Name and Physical Address fields are self-populated based on information previously entered during the initial DUNS search. The question marks to the left of the field provide additional information when you click on them.
7. You must select the legal structure of your organization from the pull down menu. To assist you in
selecting the appropriate structure that best represents your organization, a brief description of the various types follows:
Corporation – A firm that meets certain legal requirements to be chartered by the state/province in which it is headquartered by the filing of articles of incorporation. A corporation is considered by law to be an entity separate and distinct from its owners. It can be taxed; it can be sued; it can enter into contractual agreements.
Government - central, province/state, district, municipal and other U.S. or local government entities. Includes universities, schools and vocational centers owned and operated by the government.
Limited Liability Company (LLC) - This is a type of business ownership combining several features of corporation and partnership structures. It is designed to provide the limited liability features of a corporation and the tax efficiencies and operational flexibility of a partnership. Its owners have limited personal liability for the LLC’s debts and obligations, similar to the status of shareholders in a corporation. If your firm is an LLC, this will be noted on the organizations registration and licensing documents.
Non-profit - An entity which exists for charitable reasons and is not conducted or maintained for the purpose of making a profit. Any money earned must be retained by the organization, and used for its
own expenses, operations, and programs. Most organizations which are registered in the host country as a non-governmental organization (NGO) rather than as a commercial business are anon-profit entities.
Community based organizations, trade associations, community development councils, and similar entities which are not organized as a profit making organization should select this status, even if your organization is not registered formally in country as an NGO.
Partnership- a legal form of operation in which two or more individuals carry on a continuing
business for profit as co-owners. The profits and losses are shared proportionally.
Proprietorship-These firms are owned by one person, usually the individual who has day-to-day responsibility for running the business. Sole proprietors own all the assets of the business and the profits generated by it.
8. One of the most important fields that must be filled in is the Primary SIC code field. (See screen shot
below.) The Primary Standard Industrial Code classifies the business’ most relevant industry and function.
9. If you are unsure of which SIC Code your organization’s core business falls under, please refer to the
You will need to enter certain keywords to bring up the potential SIC Codes. In the case above, “Research” was entered as the keyword, and resulted in the following:
PLEASE NOTE: Many of the DAI subcontractors and grantees fall under one of the following SIC codes: 8742 Management Consulting Services
1542 General Contractors-Nonresidential Buildings, Other than Industrial Buildings and Warehouses or one of the codes within:
Industry Group 357: Computer And Office Equipment
Industry Group 355: Special Industry Machinery, Except Metalworking Industry Group 356: General Industrial Machinery And Equipment Industry Group 359: Miscellaneous Industrial And Commercial
10.Description of Operations- Enter a brief description of the primary services you provide the example below, “agricultural technical assistance” was chosen as the primary function of the business.
11.The Annual Sales or Revenue figure should be provided in USD (US Dollar) equivalent.
12.Once all of the fields have been completed, click on “Submit Your Request” to be taken to the Verification
13.Note: Representative (Principal, Owner or Officer) needs to verify and provide affirmation regarding the accuracy of the data under criminal or civil penalties as per Title 18, Section 1001 of the US Criminal Code.
14.Once “Yes, Continue” button is clicked, the registration application is sent to D&B, and a DUNS number
should be available within 24-48 hours. DUNS database can be checked in 24-48 hours by entering the Business Information in the Search window – which should now display a valid result with the new DUNS number for the entity.
