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CAGE code on GSA orders


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The answer to my question is paritally within the topic "GSA Schedule CAGE Code Challenge" but not quite on point. Many of the larger companues have more than one CAGE and DUNS combinations. Somwehere along the line I picked up the attititude that if the GSA Schedule was awarded to Willy Coyote Inc. with a CAGE of 12345 and DUNS of 222 333 444 any orders placed by Roadrunner AFB against that schedule had to match the aforementioned.

Now that CPARS validates the CAGE on the GSA Schedule CAR/FPDS/NG with the CAGE on the order, we're having a few issues becuase the award cites to a different CAGE than what is in FPDS and the contract specialists are running into a hard stop error when they try to a CPAR. My suggestion is to modify the CAGE code on the order to match what is on the schedule. Once the order is in FPDS with the correct CAGE it will update CPARS and all should be good from that point on.

For what ever reason many of our awards use different CAGE codes than are on the schedules.

Before I get any 'Deer in the head lights looks' and the urge to pummel someone, can anyone point to a reference that says what CAGE & DUNS combinations to use on a GSA order? Commons sense doesn't count as a reference.

Thanks,

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Guest Vern Edwards

[C]an anyone point to a reference that says what CAGE & DUNS combinations to use on a GSA order?

I know of no such reference. But here's a thought. Each company location and each co-located company legal division must have its own CAGE Code and DUNS number. If a buyer gets the combination of legal company division name, CAGE Code, and DUNS number wrong, then she'll probably get that "hard stop error" thing you're talking about, whatever that is.

Company and division names can be confusing. Lot's of people get them wrong. There are two Motorolas, for example. Both are probably on GSA FSS, each with its own CAGE Code and DUNS number. It's easy to mix things up. We used to mix them up in the ancient past, but there were no computers to catch us. Now, you can't get away with it.

That's the best that I can do for you. You just have to know who you're doing business with and get their codes right. Don't blame the system, unless you're just blaming it for existing, in which case I'm sympathetic.

I'm sure some GSA FSS expert will sort me out if I've gotten this wrong.

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I also know of no such reference. Lets not forget however, that most of these systems (FPDS, CPARS, PPIRS, FAPIIS, SAM, etc) are interrelated, though they may be managed by different entities (GSA, NAVSEA, etc.). First, when placing an order against a GSA schedule look the vendor up in GSA e-library. For instance, if you search Booz Alen Hamilton, you will see that they have numerous GSA FSS contracts. Many of those are under different DUNS numbers. When you look up your vendor in GSA e-library be sure to find the particular corresponding contract, select the vendor and copy the DUNS number under which the contract was awarded. Next go to SAM and search by DUNS only. You will find the correct corresponding CAGE to that DUNS. If you do this when awarding TOs/DOs against a GSA FSS (and I assure you it only takes a minute or two), you shouldn't run into your particular problem anymore.

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DUNS numbers were created by and are controlled by DUN & Bradstreet (D&B ), and follow D&B rules. Briefly, a corporation has one top-level DUNS number, called the corporate ultimate DUNS number. Below that, each separate physical location, each separate legal entity such as a subsidiary, and each separate business unit, branch, division, or other organizational unit, should have its own unique DUNS number. The statement "Many of the larger companies have more than one CAGE and DUNS combinations" is an understatement: I would say the vast majority of corporations have more than one, and the Boeings and LMs probably have a couple thousand. My company has over 2000. The government uses the DUNS number as an identifier for all contract-related actions.

Next, CAGE Codes are assigned by DLA. A CAGE Code identifies an entity doing business at a specific location. You can't get a CAGE Code unless you first have a DUNS number, so there should be a one-to-one correspondence between a DUNS number and a CAGE Code. There shouldn't be different CAGE/DUNS combinations.

To give you an example -- my company has a business unit that has several branches across the country. They are the same business unit; have the same president; report P and L as one entity, use the same bank account, etc. However, they are at 80 different addresses, have different POCs, and do work only in their territory. By D&B rules, each has its own DUNS number. For each one that does business with the government (such as at a military base in its territory), we have a CAGE Code and a SAM registration, tied to its DUNS number.

As to what DUNS/CAGE to use on a GSA order? Hard to say without knowing exactly what you are doing. Ideally you would use only the DUNS number and CAGE Code listed in the contract, and you wouldn't 'mix and match.' However, many contracts are set up so that orders are placed through participating dealers or installers. Each of them would have their own DUNS number and CAGE Code.

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Why would the award and the FPDS have different CAGE/DUNS? The DUNS number awarded to a specific contract can be found within GSA's eLibrary (www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/), so it should be easy to make sure that the award matches the right DUNS for the GSA Contractor.

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Why would the award and the FPDS have different CAGE/DUNS? The DUNS number awarded to a specific contract can be found within GSA's eLibrary (www.gsaelibrary.gsa.gov/), so it should be easy to make sure that the award matches the right DUNS for the GSA Contractor.

1. Because no one looks. They know a CAGE code that equates to the company that's getting the award so that's what they use and our contract writing system allows it. Which also means they're looking up the wrong CAGE in SAM.GOV.

2. This goes years back, but I've run across reps from companies that didn't us to use the CAGE on the GSA schedule b/c they wouldn't get credit for the sale.

Thank you for all of the reposnses.

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Number 2 there sounds like you are talking about resellers/distributors. I have ran across that situation as well. When you reference the GSA Schedule contract number in FPDS-NG, it will automatically pull in the DUNS/CAGE from the GSA award. If that doesn't match the DUNS/CAGE you put in your contract writing system (example: a reseller or distributor) then you will have the situation you describe. I used to tell resellers/distributors that the order has to be written to the GSA Schedule contract-holder and that we could put in a line on the order somewhere that lists the resellers name/address, but that's all we can do. The credit for the sale would have to be worked out internally between the Schedule-holder and the reseller/distributor.

As far as (1) goes, all you can do is inform people where the information is (GSA eLibrary). The due diligence to verify the information is on the CO.

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