SAM.gov Registration: Step-by-Step Guide for Federal Contractors

What Is SAM.gov and Why You Need It

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the federal government’s primary database for contractor registration. If you want to do business with the federal government, SAM.gov registration is not optional — it’s a legal requirement. No federal agency can award a contract to a business that doesn’t have an active SAM.gov registration.

SAM.gov serves multiple functions: it’s where contractors register their business entities, where the government posts contracting opportunities, and where award data is tracked. Your SAM.gov registration establishes your company’s identity in the federal procurement ecosystem, including your business name, address, NAICS codes, size standards, socioeconomic certifications, and banking information for contract payments.

Registration is free. Be wary of third-party services that charge hundreds or thousands of dollars to "register you in SAM.gov." While some legitimate consultants offer registration assistance, the process is designed to be completed by any business owner and there is never a government fee.

Prerequisites Before You Start

Before you begin the SAM.gov registration process, you’ll need several pieces of information ready. Having these prepared before you start will prevent frustrating interruptions and restarts during the registration workflow.

First, you need your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). The UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 as the standard business identifier for federal awards. If you’re registering in SAM.gov for the first time, a UEI will be assigned to you during the registration process. If you previously had a DUNS number, your UEI has already been generated.

• Legal business name and physical address (must match IRS records)
• Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
• Bank account information including ABA routing number (for EFT payments)
• NAICS codes that describe your business activities
• Type of business (LLC, corporation, sole proprietorship, etc.)
• Average annual revenue and number of employees
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) information for government payments

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Start by creating a Login.gov account at login.gov if you don’t already have one. Login.gov is the government’s single sign-on service used across multiple federal websites. You’ll need an email address and a phone number for two-factor authentication.

Once logged in to SAM.gov, navigate to "Get Started" under the Entity Registration section. The system will walk you through a series of modules covering your core business data, assertions, representations and certifications, and points of contact.

The Core Data section captures your fundamental business information: legal name, DBA name, physical address, mailing address, business start date, and fiscal year. Make sure your legal name and EIN exactly match your IRS records — mismatches are the most common cause of registration delays.

The Assertions section is where you identify your business type, size, and socioeconomic status. This is critical because it determines which set-aside programs you’re eligible for. Select all applicable NAICS codes and carefully review the size standard for each one to ensure you qualify as small.

Entity Validation and CAGE Codes

After you submit your registration, SAM.gov initiates a validation process. The IRS validates your TIN and business name. This step typically takes 2-3 business days but can take longer if there are discrepancies between your registration information and IRS records.

You’ll also receive a CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code, assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). If you’re a U.S. entity, CAGE code assignment usually happens automatically during registration. International entities need to obtain an NCAGE code separately before registering.

Once validation is complete, your registration goes active. You’ll receive an email notification confirming your active status. At this point, you’re eligible to receive federal contract awards and can be found in the SAM.gov entity search by other government users and prime contractors.

Maintaining Your Registration

SAM.gov registrations must be renewed annually. Your registration expires exactly 365 days after activation (or the most recent renewal). An expired registration means you cannot receive new awards, and it can even delay payments on existing contracts. This is one of the most common and easily preventable problems in federal contracting.

Set a calendar reminder at least 60 days before your registration expiration date. The renewal process requires you to review and re-certify all of your entity information, which can take time if anything has changed. Starting early gives you a buffer to resolve any issues.

Whenever your business information changes — new address, new bank account, change in ownership, additional NAICS codes — update your SAM.gov registration promptly. The government relies on your SAM.gov profile as the authoritative source of information about your business.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

The most frequent registration problem is a TIN/name mismatch. If the legal name on your SAM.gov registration doesn’t exactly match what the IRS has on file for your EIN, validation will fail. Verify your official business name by requesting a CP575 or 147C letter from the IRS.

Another common issue is bank account validation. The government verifies your banking information through a micro-deposit process. Make sure you’re monitoring the account you provided and can confirm the deposit amounts when prompted.

If you’re having trouble with your entity administrator role, the issue is usually tied to Login.gov. Each SAM.gov entity must have a designated Entity Administrator who controls the registration. If that person leaves your organization, you’ll need to go through the Entity Administrator role transfer process, which requires IRS consent letter verification.