FEDERAL BUSINESS REGISTRATIONS

To sell to the government, you'll need to register with a variety of databases.

Employer Identification Number (EIN): EIN, also referred to as Federal Tax Identification Numbers (TIN), is a nine-digit number issued by the IRS that is used to identify a business entity. If you have questions relating to EIN, including whether you should apply for a number or not, visit the EIN section on the IRS website. You may apply for an EIN in various ways, and now you may apply online.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B): D&B is a business specializing in providing credit and financial reports on registered companies for a fee. The identifier for registered companies is referred to as a DUNS number. In order to do business with the federal government you must obtain a DUNS. DUNS number assignment is FREE for all businesses required to register with the US Federal government for contracts or grants.

Please note that 1 in 2 companies requesting a DUNS number already has one. Run a DUNS check online to see if your company already has a DUNS.  If you are not listed, you can apply for a DUNS.  To update your Dun & Bradstreet information you can visit their website.

Central Contractors Registration (CCR): In order to do business with the Defense Department and all other departments within the Federal government, you must first register in CCR. (Download required information for CCR registration and the Central Contractor Registration Handbook for complete and detailed information and instructions) This registration provides government contractors with a profile of your company and required banking information so that you can be paid electronically. Upon completion of this registration, small businesses are also provided a link to register on Dynamic Small Business Search, see below.

Dynamic Small Business Search: This self-certifying database is used by contracting officers and others to find information on small businesses.

Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA): A company must file with ORCA, and must update its filing annually, in order to remain eligible for Federal government contracts. ORCA is a compilation of standard contract certifications and terms & conditions that are required in almost all Federal contracts. You can download the ORCA Handbook.

North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS Codes) are numerical codes designed by the U.S. Government in order to create uniform descriptions of small business types. Size standards, for determination of whether or not a business is small, are keyed to NAICS codes. You can look up NAICS Codes online. You can download Small Business Size Standards that are matched to the NAICS Codes.

Product Service Codes (PSC) and Federal Supply Codes (FSC) are alpha-numerical codes designed by the government to create descriptions for products and services. They are not specific to small businesses and do not describe business size. A-Z are for services and 10-99 are for products. You can look up PSC and FSC Codes online.

NH-PTAP, which serves as a Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), is funded in part through a cooperative agreement from the Department of Defense (DOD) through a program that is administered by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The content of any written materials or verbal communications of the PTAC does not necessarily reflect the official views of or imply endorsement by DOD or DLA. NH-PTAP is also funded by the NH Department of Resources and Economic Development (DRED), and operates as a program of the Business Resource Center within the Division of Economic Development (DED).