I haven't done it in a while, so didn't want to give out possibly wrong directions, but:
> I don't know how obvious it is these days, but the default path through D&B's website is the terrible one. They will try to extract money from you and harass you forever. You had to find Apple's own embedded form for it by using their search and going through some flow.
I think your information is very much outdated. You apply for DUNS number with Apple. I didn't have to go to D&B's website nor I had to pay anything to anyone for it.