SAM.gov Registration Guide
SAM.gov registration is the mandatory first step for any business that wants to sell to the federal government. This guide walks you through every step, from gathering documents to activating your entity — with the common pitfalls we see companies hit.
What Is SAM.gov and Why You Need It
The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the federal government's official database of vendors authorized to do business with the United States government. Managed by the General Services Administration (GSA), SAM.gov consolidated multiple legacy systems — including the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) — into a single platform.
An active SAM.gov registration is required to receive any federal contract, grant, or cooperative agreement. No exceptions. If you want to bid on government solicitations, receive SBIR awards, or participate as a subcontractor on federal contracts, you must be registered in SAM.gov with a current and active entity record.
Registration is free. The government does not charge for SAM.gov registration, and you should never pay a third party to register for you. Companies that charge fees for SAM.gov registration are providing a service you can complete yourself by following this guide.
Your SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. If your registration expires, you cannot receive new contract awards or modifications, and existing payments may be delayed. Set a calendar reminder for renewal 30 days before your expiration date.
Before You Start: What You Will Need
Before beginning the SAM.gov registration process, gather the following information and documents. Having these ready will prevent delays and rejected submissions.
Employer Identification Number (EIN): Also called a Tax Identification Number (TIN), your EIN is issued by the IRS. If you don't have one, apply on the IRS website — it's issued immediately online. Sole proprietors can use their SSN, but an EIN is strongly recommended for government contracting.
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): The UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You will obtain your UEI as part of the SAM.gov registration process — it is assigned by SAM.gov, not by a separate entity. If you previously had a DUNS number, your UEI was automatically assigned.
Bank account information: You will need your bank's routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings) for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) setup. This is how the government will pay you. You will also need your bank's contact information for verification.
NAICS codes: Identify the North American Industry Classification System codes that describe your business activities. You can search NAICS codes at census.gov/naics. Select codes that accurately represent the work you plan to perform on government contracts.
Business information: Your legal business name (as registered with your state), physical address, mailing address, business start date, fiscal year end date, and average annual revenue for the past three fiscal years.
Authorized Entity Administrator: The person who will manage your SAM.gov registration must have authority to represent the business and make legally binding certifications on its behalf. This is typically a company officer, partner, or owner.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
Follow these steps in order. Each step depends on the previous one, and skipping steps will create problems that delay your registration.
Step 1: Get Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
If you don't already have a UEI, you will request one during the SAM.gov registration process. Go to SAM.gov and select "Get Started" under the Entity Registration section. You will be prompted to validate your entity, which includes verifying your legal business name and physical address against official records.
The UEI validation process typically takes 1 to 2 business days. SAM.gov cross-references your information with commercial and government databases. If there are discrepancies between your submitted information and official records, you will receive a notification to correct them.
Common issues at this stage: your business name must exactly match your state registration. "LLC" vs "L.L.C." or "Inc." vs "Incorporated" can cause validation failures. Check your state's Secretary of State website for your exact legal name.
Step 2: Create a Login.gov Account
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. If you don't already have a Login.gov account, create one at login.gov. You will need a valid email address and must set up multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Use a business email address, not a personal one. If the Entity Administrator leaves the company, the organization will need to transfer the SAM.gov registration to a new administrator — using a role-based business email (e.g., contracts@yourcompany.com) simplifies this process.
Login.gov supports multiple MFA options: authentication app, security key, phone/SMS, or backup codes. Choose a method that is accessible and reliable — getting locked out of Login.gov means getting locked out of SAM.gov.
Step 3: Start Your Entity Registration
Log into SAM.gov with your Login.gov credentials. Navigate to Entity Registration and select "Register Entity." You will be guided through a series of sections that collect information about your business.
SAM.gov will first ask you to link your UEI to your registration. If you requested a UEI in Step 1 and it has been validated, you can proceed. If validation is still pending, you will need to wait.
Step 4: Complete Core Data
The Core Data section collects your fundamental business information. This includes your legal business name, DBA name (if applicable), physical address, mailing address, business type (corporation, LLC, partnership, etc.), state of incorporation, congressional district, and your EIN.
You will also enter your NAICS codes and Product and Service Codes (PSCs) in this section. Select all NAICS codes that apply to the work you plan to perform. The primary NAICS code determines your small business size standard.
Double-check all entries against your official business documents. Mismatches between SAM.gov data and IRS records are the single most common cause of registration delays.
Step 5: Complete Assertions (Representations and Certifications)
The Assertions section contains Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs) — legally binding statements about your business. These include your small business size determination, socioeconomic status, ownership and control information, and compliance certifications.
Read each representation carefully. These are legal attestations, and false statements can result in penalties under the False Claims Act. If you are unsure about any representation, consult legal counsel before certifying.
Key certifications include: small business size certification by NAICS code, ownership and control disclosure, affiliation disclosure, and various compliance certifications (anti-lobbying, drug-free workplace, etc.).
Step 6: Enter Financial Information
Provide your banking information for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is how the government will pay you for contract work. Enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and your account type.
You can also register for the Automated Clearing House (ACH) payment method and provide remittance contact information. Ensure this information exactly matches your bank records — incorrect banking information will delay payments.
Step 7: Designate Points of Contact
SAM.gov requires several points of contact for your entity: the Entity Administrator (who manages the registration), the Government Business Point of Contact (primary contact for contracting officers), and optional Alternate Points of Contact.
Each point of contact needs a name, title, phone number, and email address. These contacts will receive official correspondence from federal agencies, so ensure they are people who will actually respond promptly.
Step 8: Submit and Wait for Validation
Review all information one final time, then submit your registration. SAM.gov will validate your registration by cross-referencing your data with IRS records, commercial databases, and other government systems.
The validation process typically takes 7 to 10 business days for new registrations. During this period, your status will show as "Submitted" in SAM.gov. You will receive email notifications about the status of your validation.
If validation identifies issues, you will receive a notification describing what needs to be corrected. Common issues include name mismatches with IRS records, unverifiable addresses, and incomplete financial information. Correct the issues and resubmit promptly.
Understanding Your CAGE Code
During the SAM.gov registration process, you will be assigned a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code. This is a five-character alphanumeric identifier used by the Department of Defense and NATO to identify your company in their procurement systems.
You do not need to apply for a CAGE code separately — it is automatically requested as part of your SAM.gov registration. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) assigns CAGE codes, which can add a few days to your registration timeline.
Your CAGE code is included on your capability statement, used in contract documents, and required for many defense-related registrations. Unlike your UEI (which is your primary identifier for civilian agencies), your CAGE code is primarily used in defense procurement.
If your company already has a CAGE code from prior defense work, ensure it is linked to your SAM.gov registration. Duplicate CAGE codes create problems in the procurement system.
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Talk to our teamCommon Registration Pitfalls
These are the issues we see most frequently when helping companies register on SAM.gov.
Name mismatch with IRS records: Your legal business name in SAM.gov must exactly match what the IRS has on file. If your state registration says "Acme Technologies LLC" but your IRS EIN letter says "Acme Technologies, LLC" (with a comma), SAM.gov validation will flag a mismatch. Check your IRS CP 575 letter for the exact name.
Expired Login.gov session: Login.gov sessions time out after 30 minutes of inactivity. SAM.gov registration is a lengthy process, and losing your session can mean losing unsaved work. Save your progress frequently by clicking "Save" at the bottom of each section before moving to the next.
Wrong NAICS codes: Selecting inappropriate NAICS codes can make you ineligible for opportunities or trigger incorrect size standard determinations. Research your NAICS codes carefully — the primary code determines whether you qualify as a "small business" for specific solicitations.
Missing or incorrect banking information: EFT setup requires exact routing and account numbers. A single digit error means payment delays. Verify your banking information directly with your bank before entering it.
Not renewing annually: SAM.gov registrations expire after one year. If your registration lapses, you cannot receive new awards, and existing contract payments may be held. Set a reminder 60 days before expiration to start the renewal process.
Paying someone to register: Registration is free. Companies that charge $300 to $1,000+ for SAM.gov registration are providing a service you can do yourself in a few hours. Some may even be scams that collect your information without completing the registration.
Timeline Expectations
The total time from starting your SAM.gov registration to having an active, validated entity record is typically 10 to 14 business days for new registrations. Here is the breakdown.
UEI validation: 1 to 2 business days. This is the fastest step — SAM.gov validates your entity information against commercial and government databases.
Registration completion: 1 to 3 hours of active work, depending on how prepared you are with the required documents and information. Having everything gathered in advance (per our "Before You Start" section) significantly reduces this time.
Government validation: 7 to 10 business days. This is the longest wait. SAM.gov cross-references your data with IRS records, runs exclusion checks, and coordinates CAGE code assignment with the DLA.
If issues arise: Add 5 to 15 business days for corrections and revalidation. Complex issues (name changes, mergers, address discrepancies with IRS) can take 30 days or more to resolve.
For annual renewals: The process is faster since your core data is already on file. Expect 3 to 5 business days for revalidation. Review and update all information during renewal — particularly revenue figures, NAICS codes, and points of contact.
After Registration: Next Steps
Once your SAM.gov registration is active, you are officially authorized to do business with the federal government. Here are your immediate next steps.
Update your Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) profile: DSBS is the government's database that contracting officers search when looking for small business vendors. Log into SAM.gov, navigate to your entity dashboard, and complete your DSBS profile with a detailed capabilities narrative, keywords, and socioeconomic designations.
Download and save your registration documents: Print or save a PDF of your entity registration, CAGE code confirmation, and UEI assignment. You will need these for proposals and contract documents.
Develop your capability statement: With your SAM.gov data (UEI, CAGE code, NAICS codes) confirmed, create your one-page capability statement. This is the document you will share with contracting officers, prime contractors, and at industry events.
Start searching for opportunities: Go to the Contract Opportunities section of SAM.gov and search for solicitations matching your NAICS codes and capabilities. Set up saved searches with email alerts so you are notified when new opportunities post.
For a complete guide to finding and winning government contracts after registration, see our Government Contracts for Startups guide. If you are interested in R&D funding, our SBIR Funding Guide covers the application process in detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
New registrations typically take 10 to 14 business days total: 1 to 2 days for UEI validation, 1 to 3 hours of active form completion, and 7 to 10 business days for government validation. If issues are identified during validation, add 5 to 15 additional business days.
Is SAM.gov registration free?
Yes. SAM.gov registration is completely free. The federal government does not charge for registration, renewal, or any aspect of SAM.gov access. Be wary of third-party companies that charge fees for registration services — you can complete the process yourself using this guide.
How often do I need to renew my SAM.gov registration?
SAM.gov registrations must be renewed annually. Set a reminder 60 days before your expiration date. If your registration expires, you cannot receive new contract awards, and existing payments may be delayed. Renewal typically takes 3 to 5 business days.
What is a UEI and how do I get one?
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code that replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You obtain your UEI through the SAM.gov registration process — it is assigned automatically during entity validation. You do not need to apply for it separately.
Do I need a CAGE code?
A CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code is automatically assigned during SAM.gov registration. It is a five-character identifier used primarily by the Department of Defense and NATO. You do not need to apply for it separately, and it will be included in your completed registration.
Can I register on SAM.gov before I have any contracts?
Yes, and you should. Many government opportunities require an active SAM.gov registration at the time of proposal submission. Registering in advance ensures you are ready to respond when opportunities arise. There is no cost and no obligation associated with maintaining an active registration.
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