SAM.gov Registration Guide 2025: Complete Step-by-Step Process

Quick Answer: SAM.gov Registration

SAM.gov registration is completely free and takes 10-15 business days. To register: create a Login.gov account, request your Unique Entity ID (UEI), complete entity registration, and wait for IRS validation. Avoid scam services charging for registration—the official process at sam.gov is always free.

FREE

Registration Cost

10-15

Business Days

Main Steps

What is SAM.gov?

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the official U.S. government database for businesses seeking federal contracts. Every company that wants to bid on federal government contracts must be registered in SAM.gov—there are no exceptions.

Why SAM.gov Registration Matters

Required For:

• Federal contract bidding
• Federal grants
• Government purchase card payments
• Set-aside program eligibility

You'll Receive:

• Unique Entity ID (UEI)
• CAGE Code (automatic)
• Federal contractor status
• Access to $700B+ market

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Gather these documents and information before beginning your SAM.gov registration to avoid delays and rejections:

Business Information

✓Legal business name (exactly as on IRS records)
✓Physical business address
✓EIN (Employer Identification Number)
✓Business start date
✓NAICS codes for your services

Banking Information

✓Bank routing number
✓Bank account number
✓Account type (checking/savings)
ℹFor Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

Important: Name Must Match IRS Records

Your business name in SAM.gov must exactly match your IRS records. Even small differences (like "LLC" vs "L.L.C.") will cause validation failures. Check your IRS Letter 147C or call the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 to confirm your exact legal business name.

Step-by-Step SAM.gov Registration

Create a Login.gov Account

Estimated time: 5-10 minutes

1. Go to login.gov
2. Click "Create an account"
3. Enter your email address
4. Create a strong password
5. Set up two-factor authentication (required)
6. Verify your email address

Pro Tip: Use an authentication app (like Google Authenticator) rather than SMS for two-factor authentication—it's more reliable.

Request Your Unique Entity ID (UEI)

Estimated time: 10-15 minutes (processing: 1-2 days)

The UEI replaced the DUNS number in 2022. It's a 12-character identifier assigned by SAM.gov directly.

1. Log in to SAM.gov with your Login.gov credentials
2. Navigate to "Get Started" → "Register Entity"
3. Select "Get a Unique Entity ID only" OR proceed to full registration
4. Enter your exact legal business name and address
5. Submit for validation

Note: The UEI validation checks your business against IRS records. Minor discrepancies will cause rejection.

Complete Core Data Section

Estimated time: 30-45 minutes

This section captures essential business information that federal agencies use to find and evaluate contractors.

• Business types and organization structure
• NAICS codes (primary and secondary)
• Product Service Codes (PSCs)
• Size standards information
• Geographic service areas

Enter Representations & Certifications

Estimated time: 45-60 minutes

Answer questions about your business status, including small business certifications, ownership, and compliance matters.

• Small business size status
• Ownership and control information
• Socioeconomic categories (WOSB, SDVOSB, etc.)
• Debarment and suspension certifications
• Tax compliance attestation

Tip: Answer these carefully—false statements can result in debarment from federal contracting.

Add Points of Contact & Banking

Estimated time: 15-20 minutes

Designate contacts for different purposes and set up Electronic Funds Transfer for receiving government payments.

• Government Business Point of Contact (POC)
• Electronic Business POC
• Past Performance POC
• EFT banking information

Submit and Wait for Activation

Processing time: 7-10 business days

After submission, SAM.gov validates your information with the IRS and other government databases. You'll receive email updates on your status.

What Happens During Processing:

• IRS TIN validation (1-3 days)
• CAGE code assignment (automatic)
• Final review and activation

Expected Registration Timeline

Step	Duration	Your Action Required
Login.gov Setup	5-10 minutes	Yes
UEI Validation	1-2 business days	Waiting
Core Data Entry	1-2 hours	Yes
IRS TIN Validation	1-3 business days	Waiting
CAGE Code Assignment	1-2 business days	Automatic
Final Activation	1-5 business days	Waiting
Total	10-15 business days	~2-3 hours active work

Scam Warning: SAM.gov Registration is FREE

⚠️

IMPORTANT: Never Pay for SAM.gov Registration

Scammers actively target businesses seeking government contracts. They send official-looking letters, emails, and create fake websites charging $400-$800+ for "registration services."

Red Flags to Watch For:

✗Letters claiming your registration is "expiring" and demanding payment
✗Emails from domains other than .gov addresses
✗Phone calls offering to "expedite" your registration for a fee
✗Websites with URLs similar to (but not exactly) sam.gov

The only legitimate SAM.gov website is: https://sam.gov

Common Registration Problems & Solutions

Entity Validation Failed

Cause: Business name doesn't exactly match IRS records.

Solution: Contact the IRS at 1-800-829-4933 to request your exact legal business name. Request IRS Letter 147C for documentation.

TIN/EIN Validation Rejected

Cause: EIN entered incorrectly or doesn't match business name.

Solution: Verify your EIN on IRS records. Ensure you're using the EIN assigned to your exact legal entity name.

Registration Stuck in "Submitted" Status

Cause: High volume periods or missing information.

Solution: Wait at least 10 business days. If still pending, contact the Federal Service Desk at 866-606-8220.

Can't Link Login.gov to SAM.gov

Cause: Browser issues or cached credentials.

Solution: Clear browser cache, use incognito/private mode, or try a different browser (Chrome recommended).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SAM.gov registration really free?

Yes, SAM.gov registration is 100% free. The federal government never charges for registration. Any third party charging for "registration services" is either a scam or an unnecessary paid service—you can do everything yourself at sam.gov.

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Typically 10-15 business days from start to activation. The active work takes 2-3 hours; the rest is waiting for government validation processes. Plan to start your registration at least 3 weeks before you need to bid on contracts.

What replaced the DUNS number?

The Unique Entity ID (UEI) replaced DUNS numbers in April 2022. Unlike DUNS (issued by Dun & Bradstreet), the UEI is assigned directly by SAM.gov during registration—no separate application needed.

Do I need a CAGE code separately?

No. Your CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code is automatically assigned during SAM.gov registration. It's issued by the Defense Logistics Agency and typically appears 1-2 business days after your registration is approved.

How often do I need to renew SAM.gov registration?

SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before expiration. Expired registrations make you ineligible for new contract awards.

Can I bid on contracts while registration is pending?

No. You must have an active SAM.gov registration before submitting bids on federal contracts. Start registration well before you plan to bid.

Is SAM.gov registration required for state contracts?

Not always—SAM.gov is specifically for federal contracts. However, many state and local agencies require it or accept it as part of their vendor registration process.

What's the best way to find contracts after registering?

After SAM.gov registration, use BidFinds at $99/month to discover federal, state, and local opportunities in one platform. We aggregate 2,000+ government sources with AI-powered matching to surface relevant bids automatically.

What's Next After SAM.gov Registration?

Start Finding Government Contracts

Your SAM.gov registration unlocks access to $700+ billion in federal contracts. BidFinds aggregates federal, state, and local opportunities with AI matching—so you never miss a relevant bid.

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