Registering in SAM.gov: what it is and why it matters

What SAM.gov is

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the federal government's official registry of companies that do business with it. Agencies check it before they award a contract, and the government pays you through the bank account in your registration.

What you get when you register

• A Unique Entity ID (UEI), the 12-character identifier assigned by SAM.gov. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
• A CAGE code, assigned through the Defense Logistics Agency's CAGE program, which identifies your company and location.
• Your representations and certifications: answers to standard questions (such as size and socioeconomic status) that contracting officers rely on, so you don't repeat them in every proposal.

What you need to have ready

• Your legal business name and physical address exactly as the IRS has them, and your taxpayer identification number (EIN).
• Bank information for electronic payment.
• The NAICS codes that describe your work. Your small business size is judged against the SBA size standard for each one.
• Points of contact for your registration, government business and electronic business.

Keep it active

• Registrations must be renewed every 365 days. A lapsed registration can stop an award or a payment.
• Start renewals early. Validation of your tax and entity information can take time.
• Update it whenever your address, bank account, ownership or size status changes.

Registration is free

SAM.gov never charges to register or renew. Some third parties offer paid help and use official-sounding names; you are not required to use them.