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How to register in SAM.gov

What SAM.gov registration is, what you need before you start, the Unique Entity ID and CAGE code, and keeping the registration active.

What it is

SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) is where businesses and organizations register to do business with the federal government. An active registration is required to win a federal contract or grant and to be paid. Registering is free; be wary of services that charge for it without saying so.

What you need before you start

  • Your legal business name and physical address, exactly as your tax records show them.
  • Your taxpayer identification number (EIN or SSN for a sole proprietor).
  • Bank details for payments.
  • Your NAICS codes (and the one you'd call primary).
  • Your business's size and ownership facts for the representations and certifications.
  • A login.gov account for the person registering.

Unique Entity ID and CAGE code

SAM.gov assigns a Unique Entity ID (UEI), the 12-character identifier that has replaced the DUNS number on federal awards since April 2022. Registrations for contracts also get a CAGE code, which the Defense Logistics Agency assigns. Both appear on every award to you on USAspending.gov.

Keep it active

A registration has to be renewed every year (365 days). If it lapses, you can't receive a new award until it's active again, so put the date in your calendar. Your public registration (name, UEI, NAICS codes, certifications, small-business status) is what contracting officers and prime contractors see when they look you up.

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Questions people ask

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Filling it in takes an hour or two if you have the information ready; validation of the entity and activation can take from days to several weeks, so start before you need it.

Does registering in SAM.gov make me a certified small business?

No. You represent your size in SAM.gov for each NAICS code; programs such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB need separate SBA certification.

Is SAM.gov registration free?

Yes. The government doesn't charge to register or renew.

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Updated 2026-10-05. General information, not legal advice; the solicitation and the FAR govern each purchase.