How-To Guide
How to Register on SAM.gov
SAM.gov registration is the mandatory front door to federal contracting. The process is free, takes 2–4 weeks for most businesses, and can stall on Treasury/IRS validation or DLA CAGE issuance if any data point is off. This guide walks through the exact steps to register cleanly.
Step-by-step
1. Gather your entity information before starting
You need: legal business name (exactly as on IRS records), physical address (no PO boxes), DUNS-replacement UEI (auto-issued by SAM.gov), Taxpayer ID (EIN), and bank routing/account for EFT.
2. Create a Login.gov account
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. Set up multi-factor authentication — the security key option is the most reliable for repeated logins.
3. Request a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)
Inside SAM.gov, request a UEI for your entity. SAM.gov runs entity validation against IRS records; if your business name or address has a typo, you'll be routed to the entity validation service to upload supporting documents.
4. Complete the full entity registration
Beyond UEI, complete the Reps & Certs (FAR 52.204-8), NAICS code selection, Points of Contact, banking information, and any Disaster Response Registry election.
5. Wait for CAGE code assignment
DLA assigns or revalidates the CAGE code within ~10 business days. Until the CAGE is issued, the registration is not 'Active' — you cannot receive contracts.
6. Renew annually and monitor expiration dates
SAM.gov registrations expire annually. Renew at least 30 days before expiration; an expired registration removes you from set-aside eligibility immediately.
Common pitfalls
- Name mismatches between SAM.gov, IRS, and state Secretary of State filings cause weeks of delay.
- Using a PO box as the physical address is rejected.
- Forgetting to elect 'small business' or claim certifications (HUBZone, 8(a), SDVOSB) on the Reps & Certs page.
FAQs
- Is SAM.gov registration free?
- Yes. Any service charging for SAM.gov registration is a third-party agent, not the government.
- How long is SAM.gov registration valid?
- 12 months from activation. Set a calendar reminder for renewal at month 10.
- Do I need a UEI if I already have a DUNS?
- Yes. DUNS was retired in April 2022. All federal entities now use UEI, auto-issued through SAM.gov.