SAM.gov Registration Guide

The System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is the official U.S. government system that consolidated the capabilities of multiple legacy systems including CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. Every business that wants to do business with the federal government must be registered in SAM.gov. Without an active registration, you cannot bid on federal contracts, receive federal grants, or be awarded any federal procurement.

Your SAM.gov registration serves as your business's official profile in the federal marketplace. It contains your company's legal information, banking details for electronic funds transfer (EFT), and the products and services you offer categorized by NAICS codes. Federal contracting officers use SAM.gov to verify that potential contractors are eligible and responsible before making awards.

Registration is completely free — beware of third-party services that charge fees for what is a free government process. The entire registration can be completed online, though it typically takes 7-10 business days for the government to process and activate your registration.

Before you can access SAM.gov, you need a Login.gov account. Login.gov is the public's one account for government, providing secure access to participating agencies. Visit login.gov and click 'Create an account.' You'll need a valid email address and must set up multi-factor authentication (MFA).

Choose a strong password that meets the requirements: at least 12 characters with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and special characters. For MFA, you can use an authentication app (recommended), a security key, phone/SMS, or backup codes. Authentication apps like Google Authenticator or Authy are the most reliable option.

Once your Login.gov account is created and verified, navigate to SAM.gov and sign in. You'll be prompted to link your Login.gov credentials to your SAM.gov profile.

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 as the official identifier for entities doing business with the federal government. Your UEI is assigned by SAM.gov during the registration process — you no longer need to go to a separate system.

When you begin a new entity registration in SAM.gov, the system will validate your business information against authoritative sources and assign a UEI. You'll need to provide your legal business name exactly as it appears on your tax documents, your physical business address, the date your business was started, and your business structure (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, etc.).

The validation process checks your information against IRS records, state business registrations, and other government databases. If there are discrepancies, you may need to correct your information before a UEI can be assigned. This validation typically takes 2-3 business days.

With your UEI assigned, you can now complete the full SAM.gov registration. This involves several sections that must be filled out accurately.

The Representations and Certifications section is where you declare your business's socioeconomic status and certifications. This is crucial because it determines your eligibility for set-aside contracts.

You'll indicate whether your business qualifies as a small business under your primary NAICS code, whether you're a woman-owned small business (WOSB), a service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB), whether your business is located in a HUBZone, and your business's ownership and control structure.

Be truthful in all representations — false claims can result in criminal penalties, civil liability, and debarment from federal contracting. If you're unsure about any certification, consult with a government contracting attorney or your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office.

You'll also need to complete FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) provisions, which cover topics like organizational conflicts of interest, place of manufacture, and tax compliance.

After submitting your registration, SAM.gov will process and validate your information. This typically takes 7-10 business days, though it can take longer during peak periods. You'll receive email notifications about the status of your registration.

Once active, your registration is valid for one year. You must renew it annually — if it lapses, you cannot receive new contract awards or payments on existing contracts. Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before expiration to ensure you have time to complete the renewal process.

During renewal, review all your information for accuracy. Update any changes to your business address, banking information, NAICS codes, or points of contact. The renewal process is similar to the initial registration but typically faster since your information is already on file.

Keep your SAM.gov profile current throughout the year, not just at renewal time. If your business undergoes significant changes (merger, acquisition, address change, new banking), update SAM.gov promptly.