SAM.gov registration, done right the first time.
The federal government's door is locked without an active SAM.gov record. This guide walks you through getting your UEI, CAGE code, and active registration — and avoiding the delays that cost contractors their first award.
Maintained by Desert Oasis Digital LLC · Reviewed for the 2026 program year
What SAM.gov registration actually does
SAM.gov is the System for Award Management. It is the single registry the U.S. government uses to verify who it can contract with, who it can pay, and which socioeconomic programs a business qualifies for. An active SAM.gov registration is a prerequisite for almost every federal contract, grant, and subcontract reporting relationship.
When you register, SAM.gov assigns you a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and requests a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code for your business location. Those two identifiers follow you across every federal system: beta.SAM.gov opportunities, FPDS awards, CPARS performance reports, and agency-specific portals.
Registration is free, but it is not instant. The most common delay is not the government's processing time — it is a mismatch between the name or address you enter and the records held by the IRS or the Defense Logistics Agency. This guide focuses on entering information once and entering it correctly.
Who can register
Almost any legally formed U.S. or foreign business can register. You need a TIN or EIN, a physical address, and the authority to bind the entity. Sole proprietors, corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and foreign entities all use the same core workflow.
Legal entity
A business formed under federal, state, tribal, or foreign law with a TIN or EIN.
Physical address
A real place of business, not a P.O. box, where the entity can receive mail and be validated.
Authorized representative
Someone with legal authority to bind the entity to federal representations and certifications.
Login.gov account
An identity-verified Login.gov account at the level required by SAM.gov.
The eight steps, in order
- 01
Create a Login.gov account
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for identity verification. Create your account at login.gov, choose the highest identity-proofing level you can complete, and keep your two-factor authentication method current. Lost access to Login.gov is the fastest way to be locked out of your SAM.gov record.
- 02
Gather entity information before you start
Collect your legal business name, physical address, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN/EIN), banking information for EFT payments, and your primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. Mismatches between SAM.gov and IRS records are the leading cause of registration delays.
- 03
Start a new entity registration
Sign in to SAM.gov and select 'Register Entity.' Choose the registration type that matches your business. Most federal contractors use the standard entity registration path. The system will assign a 12-character UEI immediately if you do not already have one.
- 04
Enter your core entity data
Enter your legal name exactly as it appears on IRS documents. Use your physical business address, not a P.O. box or registered agent address unless that is your actual place of business. Confirm your entity structure, ownership details, and start date.
- 05
Request and validate your CAGE code
SAM.gov sends your address to the Defense Logistics Agency for CAGE code assignment or validation. Domestic addresses usually resolve automatically. Foreign entities and addresses with validation conflicts may require additional documentation and take longer.
- 06
Complete representations and certifications
Answer the FAR-based questions about size status, socioeconomic programs, lobbying, tax compliance, and other federal requirements. These answers become part of your publicly visible entity record and must be truthful and current.
- 07
Add EFT and financial information
Enter your bank routing and account number for electronic funds transfer. This is how the government pays invoices. Double-check every digit; a single routing number error can delay payments for weeks.
- 08
Submit and monitor status
Submit the registration and monitor the entity status dashboard. Address any validation requests quickly. Once the status shows 'Active,' your registration is complete and you can bid, receive awards, and hold certifications.
What to have before you start
SAM.gov does not ask for uploaded documents for a basic registration, but it does ask for data that must match official records exactly. Have these items in front of you before you begin.
- —Legal business name and taxpayer identification number (TIN/EIN)
- —Physical business address and mailing address if different
- —Bank routing number and account number for EFT payments
- —Primary and secondary NAICS codes
- —Business start date and entity structure
- —Ownership and officer information
- —Points of contact with current email addresses
- —Any existing CAGE code, if previously assigned
Understanding your identifiers
The UEI is a 12-character code that replaces the old DUNS number. It is assigned automatically when you register or can be looked up if your entity already exists. The UEI is public and used across federal systems to identify your business.
The CAGE code is a five-character code tied to a specific business location. SAM.gov requests it from the Defense Logistics Agency after you enter your address. If your address has been used by another federal contractor, the existing CAGE code may be reused. New locations receive a new CAGE code.
Keep both identifiers in your core business records. You will be asked for them on nearly every federal form, opportunity portal, and certification application.
How long it takes, realistically
A straightforward domestic registration with clean IRS and address data can activate in a few business days. Registrations that require manual review — foreign entities, address validation conflicts, or IRS name mismatches — commonly take two to eight weeks.
The best way to protect your timeline is to enter information exactly as it appears on official documents. If your state registration says "ABC Widgets LLC" but your IRS letter says "ABC Widgets, L.L.C.," use the IRS version. Small formatting differences are a leading cause of rejection.
Six reasons registrations stall
- !A legal business name that does not match IRS records exactly, including punctuation and suffixes.
- !Using a P.O. box or registered agent address instead of the physical place of business.
- !Typos in the EFT bank routing or account number that prevent payment setup.
- !Selecting NAICS codes that do not match your actual products or services.
- !Incomplete Login.gov identity verification that blocks access to SAM.gov.
- !Ignoring validation emails from SAM.gov or the Defense Logistics Agency.
Keeping your registration active
SAM.gov registrations expire after one year. You can renew starting 60 days before expiration. Because a lapsed registration makes you ineligible for award, set your first reminder at 90 days out, not 30.
You must also update SAM.gov within 30 days of material changes: legal name changes, address changes, ownership changes, banking changes, and changes in socioeconomic status. Keeping SAM.gov current is a compliance obligation, not a one-time setup task.
Frequently asked questions
What is SAM.gov?
SAM.gov is the System for Award Management, the U.S. government's central registry of entities that do business with the federal government. You must have an active SAM.gov registration to bid on contracts, receive payments, and hold most federal certifications.
Do I need a SAM.gov registration to win federal contracts?
Yes. An active SAM.gov registration is required for almost every federal contract, grant, and subcontract reporting relationship. Contracting officers cannot award to an entity that is not active in SAM.gov.
What is a UEI?
UEI stands for Unique Entity Identifier. It is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov that identifies your business across federal systems. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
What is a CAGE code?
CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity. It is a five-character code assigned to your business location after SAM.gov validates your address. You do not apply for it directly; SAM.gov requests it from the Defense Logistics Agency during registration.
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
A simple domestic registration with clean information often activates within a few business days. Registrations that require manual address validation, foreign entity review, or IRS name matching can take two to eight weeks. Errors in the legal name or address are the most common causes of delay.
How much does SAM.gov registration cost?
SAM.gov registration is free. The federal government does not charge for registration, renewal, or UEI assignment. Be wary of third-party services that charge high fees for something you can complete directly at SAM.gov.
How often do I renew my SAM.gov registration?
SAM.gov registrations expire after 365 days. You can renew starting 60 days before expiration. Letting a registration lapse makes you ineligible for award, so most contractors set a 90-day advance reminder.
Can I register in SAM.gov without a business?
No. SAM.gov requires a legally formed entity with a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN/EIN) and a physical address. Sole proprietors can register, but they must have a TIN and meet the same validation standards as any other entity.
Why does my SAM.gov registration say 'Inactive'?
Common reasons include an expired registration, a pending annual renewal, an address validation issue, a mismatch with IRS records, or missing representations and certifications. Check the entity status page in SAM.gov for the specific reason and required action.
Do I need a DUNS number for SAM.gov?
No. SAM.gov stopped using DUNS numbers in 2022. New registrations receive a UEI. If you had a DUNS number in the past, it is not required for renewal.
This guide is general information about federal contracting systems, not legal advice. SAM.gov rules and interfaces change. Confirm current requirements at SAM.gov before relying on any detail here for an award decision.
Know you're ready before the owner opens.
AwardReady tracks your SAM.gov expiration, UEI, CAGE code, certifications, and state registrations on one screen — with alerts at 90, 60, 30, 15, and 7 days so nothing lapses quietly.