SAM.gov Registration Guide 2025: Step-by-Step Process for Government Contractors

Quick Answer: What is SAM.gov Registration?

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official federal database for all businesses wanting to do business with the U.S. government. Registration is completely free and required before you can bid on or receive any federal contract. You'll receive a Unique Entity ID (UEI) that identifies your business across all government systems.

FREE

To Register

10-14

Days to Complete

Annual

Renewal Required

UEI

Unique Entity ID

What is SAM.gov?

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the U.S. government's official system for:

• Entity Registration: Database of all businesses eligible for federal contracts
• Contract Opportunities: Federal contract listings (formerly FedBizOpps)
• Exclusions: List of debarred or suspended contractors
• Wage Determinations: Service Contract Act and Davis-Bacon wage rates

SAM.gov Consolidates Multiple Legacy Systems

Replaced Systems

• CCR (Central Contractor Registration)
• ORCA (Online Representations and Certifications)
• FedBizOpps (Contract Opportunities)
• EPLS (Excluded Parties List System)

Key Features Now

• Single login for all functions
• Unified entity information
• Direct contract opportunity search
• Integrated certifications

Warning: SAM.gov is FREE

SAM.gov registration is completely free. Beware of third-party services that charge fees for "SAM registration assistance." While some legitimate consultants offer help, the actual registration costs nothing. Always go directly tosam.gov.

Why You Need SAM.gov Registration

📋

Required for Federal Contracts

You cannot bid on, receive, or be paid for any federal contract without an active SAM.gov registration. It's the gateway to government contracting.

💰

Federal Grants

Organizations applying for federal grants, loans, or other assistance also need SAM.gov registration and a UEI number.

🎯

Small Business Certifications

SAM.gov registration is required before applying for 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, or any other SBA certification.

🔍

Contractor Visibility

Government agencies and prime contractors use SAM.gov to find subcontractors. A complete profile increases your visibility.

Before You Start: Required Information

Gather these items before beginning registration to avoid delays:

1. Login.gov Account

SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. Create an account atlogin.gov first. Use a personal email (not shared) that you'll have long-term access to.

2. Legal Business Information

• Legal business name (exactly as registered with IRS)
• Physical business address (not P.O. Box for primary)
• Mailing address
• Business start date
• Business structure (LLC, Corp, Sole Prop, etc.)
• State of incorporation

3. Tax Information

• EIN (Employer Identification Number) or SSN for sole proprietors
• Tax ID must match IRS records exactly
• CAGE Code (if you have one; otherwise SAM will assign one)

4. Banking Information

• Bank name and address
• Routing number (ABA)
• Account number
• Account type (checking/savings)

Required for receiving payments via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

5. NAICS Codes

Identify the NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) codes that describe your business activities. You can select multiple codes.

→ Find your NAICS codes

6. Point of Contact Information

• Government Business POC (primary contact)
• Electronic Business POC
• Each needs: name, title, phone, email

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Create Login.gov Account

Go to login.gov and create an account using a personal email address. Set up two-factor authentication (required). This account will be linked to your SAM.gov profile.

⚠ Use an email you control personally—not a shared company email

Go to SAM.gov and Sign In

Visit sam.gov and sign in using your Login.gov credentials. Navigate to "Entity Registration" and select "Register Entity."

Get Your UEI

SAM.gov will assign you a Unique Entity ID (UEI). This replaced the DUNS number in 2022. The UEI is validated automatically during registration.

The UEI validation typically takes a few minutes but can take up to 2 business days.

Complete Core Data

Enter your business information in the following sections:

• Entity Information: Legal name, address, structure
• General Information: Business start date, fiscal year
• NAICS Codes: Industry classifications
• Product/Service Codes: PSCs for what you sell

Complete Assertions

Answer questions about your business for "Representations and Certifications":

• Small business size status
• Socioeconomic categories (veteran-owned, woman-owned, etc.)
• Disaster-affected status
• Various federal compliance certifications

Enter Financial Information

Provide banking details for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is how the government will pay you. Double-check routing and account numbers.

Add Points of Contact

Enter contact information for key personnel. At minimum, you need a Government Business POC and Electronic Business POC. These individuals may be contacted by government agencies.

Submit and Wait for Validation

Review all information and submit. SAM.gov will validate your registration:

• IRS TIN validation (1-2 days typically)
• CAGE Code assignment (if needed, 1-2 days)
• Total processing: 7-10 business days typically

Registration Timeline

1-2 hrs

Form completion

1-2 days

UEI validation

1-2 days

IRS TIN match

7-10 days

Total processing

Common Issues and Solutions

TIN/Name Mismatch

Problem: Your business name doesn't match IRS records.

Solution: Use your legal name exactly as it appears on IRS documents (SS-4 confirmation letter, tax returns). Even small differences like "Inc." vs "Incorporated" can cause rejection.

Bank Account Validation Issues

Problem: Banking information won't validate.

Solution: Use the business account (not personal). Verify routing and account numbers directly with your bank. Some banks have multiple routing numbers—use the ACH routing number, not the wire transfer number.

CAGE Code Delays

Problem: CAGE Code assignment is taking too long.

Solution: CAGE Codes are assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). If delayed beyond 5 business days, contact the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220.

Login.gov Account Issues

Problem: Can't access SAM.gov after creating Login.gov account.

Solution: Ensure you've completed identity verification on Login.gov (government ID required). Some browser extensions block functionality—try an incognito window or different browser.

Registration Stuck in "Submitted"

Problem: Registration has been "Submitted" for weeks.

Solution: Check your email (including spam) for action items. Contact the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220 or submit a ticket through SAM.gov's help system.

Maintaining Your Registration

SAM.gov registration requires annual renewal and updates when information changes:

Annual Renewal

You must renew your registration every 365 days. SAM.gov sends reminders at 60, 30, and 15 days before expiration. Set your own calendar reminders.

⚠ Expired registration = can't receive contract payments or new awards

Update Within 30 Days

Update your registration within 30 days when any of these change:

• Business name or address
• Bank account information
• Ownership or structure
• Points of contact

Review Representations

Review your Representations and Certifications during each renewal. Your small business status may change as revenue grows. False certifications have legal consequences.

Monitor Entity Status

Regularly log in to verify your status shows "Active." Check that your CAGE Code and certifications are properly displayed. Address any issues immediately.

Renewal Checklist

☐Verify legal business name matches IRS records
☐Update physical and mailing addresses if changed
☐Confirm banking information is current
☐Review and update NAICS codes
☐Verify small business size certifications still apply
☐Update points of contact information

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Initial registration typically takes 7-10 business days after submission. The form itself takes 1-2 hours if you have all information ready. Renewals are usually processed faster (3-5 days).

Is SAM.gov registration really free?

Yes, SAM.gov registration is completely free. Beware of third-party services charging fees. The official site is sam.gov—not any variation.

What is a UEI number?

The Unique Entity ID (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by SAM.gov. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 and is your business's unique identifier across all government systems.

What if my registration expires?

Expired registration means you cannot receive new contract awards or payments on existing contracts. Renew immediately when expired—it takes the same 7-10 days as initial registration.

Can I register as a sole proprietor?

Yes, sole proprietors can register using their SSN (no EIN required). You'll use your personal name as the legal business name unless you have a DBA registered.

What is a CAGE Code?

The Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code is a 5-character identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency. If you don't have one, SAM.gov will request one automatically during registration.

How do I get help with registration?

Contact the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220 (Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm ET) or submit a help ticket through SAM.gov. Local SBA offices also offer free assistance through their PTAC (Procurement Technical Assistance Center) program.

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