What Is SAM.gov Entity Registration?
SAM.gov entity registration is the process of establishing your business as an authorized contractor in the federal government's System for Award Management. It creates a permanent record of your business identity — including your legal name, address, tax ID, NAICS codes, and certifications — that every federal agency uses to verify contractor eligibility.
Entity registration is distinct from opportunity registration, which is when you register your interest in a specific solicitation. You must complete entity registration first. Entity registration is a one-time event (with annual renewal), while opportunity registration happens individually for each contract you plan to pursue.
The registration process is administered by the General Services Administration (GSA) and uses the beta.SAM.gov interface for all entity management functions. The registration is free. There are no fees at any point in the process — if someone offers to register your business on SAM.gov for a fee, they are reselling a free government service.
Why Entity Registration Matters for Your Business
Your SAM.gov entity registration is not just a compliance checkbox — it is the foundation of your federal contracting business. Every contracting officer uses your SAM.gov record to verify that you exist, are authorized to receive contract awards, and fit the criteria for the opportunities they are managing.
Three concrete consequences of being unregistered:
You cannot legally receive a contract award
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) prohibits agencies from awarding contracts to unregistered entities. Even if a contracting officer wants to work with you, the award cannot proceed without an active SAM.gov registration. It is a hard legal gate, not a preference.
You are invisible to contracting officers searching for vendors
COs use SAM.gov to search for vendors by NAICS code, size standard, and certification type before issuing Sources Sought notices and small business set-asides. If you are not registered, you do not appear in those searches.
You cannot get paid on federal contracts
Federal agencies pay by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the bank account registered in SAM.gov. Without the correct bank information on file, payment processing fails. Your registration is also the record that links your invoices to your entity.
Entity registration and opportunity search are free for all users. SAM.gov does not charge contractors to register or to search for opportunities. Government contracting officers pay for the system — not the vendors using it.
UEI, CAGE, and DUNS: The Identifiers Explained
Federal procurement uses three primary business identifiers. Understanding the difference matters — both for completing your registration correctly and for responding accurately to government solicitations.
UEI — Unique Entity Identifier
What it is: A 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to your business by SAM.gov when your registration activates. Replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
Do you need one first? No — SAM.gov assigns it. You do not apply for it, pay for it, or contact any external organization to obtain it.
CAGE Code
What it is: A 5-character alphanumeric code that identifies your business in federal procurement databases. Assigned automatically when your entity registration activates — simultaneously with your UEI.
Where it is used: Required on all contract documents, invoices, shipping labels, and SAM.gov Entity Snapshot pages. Federal agencies use CAGE codes to track contract awards in the Federal Procurement Data System.
DUNS Number
What it is: A 9-digit business identifier formerly issued by Dun & Bradstreet. Retired from SAM.gov in April 2022.
Do you need one? No. If a solicitation asks for a DUNS number on a post-2022 procurement, the correct response is to provide your UEI instead. DUNS is obsolete for federal contracting purposes.
One identifier to know, one to ignore. Your UEI is the identifier you will use on every federal contract document going forward. Your DUNS number is relevant only for historical records — for example, if you are writing a proposal for a contract that was originally issued before 2022 and references DUNS in its instructions. In that case, provide your UEI with a note that DUNS has been retired and replaced.
Choosing the Right Entity Type
SAM.gov requires you to classify your business by its legal entity structure. The entity type you select must match your IRS records exactly — the EIN must be registered under the entity type you enter, and the legal business name must match IRS records character-for-character.
| Entity Type | SAM.gov Code | Notes for Federal Contracting |
|---|---|---|
| LLC — Limited Liability Company | Z5 |
Most common structure for small federal contractors. LLCs are pass-through entities for tax purposes. The entity name on SAM.gov should match your Articles of Organization filed with the state. |
| C Corporation | Z2 |
Subject to corporate income tax. Often used for larger contracting businesses or those seeking venture capital. The entity type in SAM.gov should match your Articles of Incorporation. |
| S Corporation | Z4 |
Pass-through tax entity with restrictions on ownership (no more than 100 shareholders, all US citizens or residents). Less common in federal contracting but fully eligible. |
| Sole Proprietorship | YJ |
Individual doing business under a name (DBA) or as themselves. EIN is a personal SSN or an EIN obtained from the IRS. Fully eligible for SAM.gov registration and federal contracts. |
| Partnership — General or Limited | YN / Y2 |
Two or more people sharing ownership. General partners have unlimited liability; limited partners have liability limited to their investment. GP is the more common for contracting purposes. |
| Limited Liability Partnership | Y3 |
Hybrid structure combining LLP liability protection with partnership tax treatment. Less common for small federal contractors but fully eligible. |
| Non-Profit Organization | 2F |
501(c)(3) or other IRS non-profit designation. Eligible for certain federal contracts, grants, and set-asides specifically reserved for non-profit organizations. Must have IRS tax-exempt status. |
| Foreign Entity (US POC required) | ZZ or specific codes |
Foreign businesses can register on SAM.gov but must designate a US-based point of contact who can receive legal service of process. Required for any foreign company bidding on US federal contracts. |
Entity type mismatches are a leading rejection cause. If your EIN is registered as "Acme Consulting LLC" and you enter "Acme Consulting, Inc." on SAM.gov, the IRS TIN match will fail. Before you start, confirm exactly what entity type and name appear on your EIN confirmation letter from the IRS.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before You Start
Having everything ready before you open SAM.gov is the difference between completing registration in one sitting and stalling mid-process to dig through files. Gather these items first.
Your federal tax ID from the IRS. Obtain instantly at irs.gov. Sole proprietors can use their SSN, but an EIN is cleaner and separates personal and business identity.
This must be an exact match — including punctuation, capitalization, and spacing. Call the IRS at 800-829-4933 if you are unsure. One period in the wrong place causes a TIN match failure.
Not a P.O. Box. Not a virtual office. SAM.gov requires a real street address for the entity location. A registered agent address qualifies as a physical address if it is a real street location.
Create this before you go to SAM.gov. Use a business email address — something like yourname@yourcompany.com — not a personal Gmail or Yahoo address. Contracting officers see your SAM.gov profile.
Login.gov requires 2FA. Set up an authenticator app (Google Authenticator, Authy, or 1Password) before starting registration — it is the most reliable option and does not depend on cell signal.
Routing number and account number for direct deposit. Federal payments go by ACH only — personal checking accounts do not work if you are registering as an entity. Sole proprietors can use a personal account linked to their EIN.
6-digit industry classification codes from census.gov/naics. Your primary NAICS determines set-aside eligibility. List every code that describes a product or service your business provides — up to 15 codes allowed.
SBA certifications (8(a), HUBZone, WOSB/EDWOSB, SDVOSB) — have your SBA documentation or certification numbers on hand. Self-certification for basic Small Business status requires no documentation but requires honest size standard assessment.
Step-by-Step SAM.gov Entity Registration Walkthrough
The registration wizard runs in beta.SAM.gov. Use Chrome or Firefox — avoid Safari which has session-related issues reported by contractors. Work through one section at a time and click Save before closing or navigating away.
Create or sign in to login.gov
Go to sam.gov and click Sign In. If you do not have a login.gov account, click Create an Account. Use your business email address — not a personal address. Set up two-factor authentication with an authenticator app. Keep backup codes in a secure location.
Navigate to My SAM → My Registrations → Register New Entity
After signing in, click My SAM in the top navigation. Select My Registrations, then Register New Entity. On the purpose screen, choose "I want to be able to bid on federal contracts" — this creates the full contractor profile needed to receive contract awards. Do not choose the limited-purpose option if you intend to bid.
Core Data — Entity Information
Enter your legal business name exactly as it appears on your IRS EIN confirmation. Select your entity type from the dropdown. Enter your physical street address (no P.O. Box). Add a mailing address if it differs from your physical address. SAM.gov automatically begins the IRS TIN match check once you submit your EIN and name — this runs in the background while you complete other sections.
Assertions — NAICS Codes and Size Standards
Enter up to 15 NAICS codes that describe your business. Your primary NAICS code is the one generating the most revenue — this determines which set-aside opportunities you are eligible for. Select your size standard (small business vs. other than small) for each NAICS code entered. Self-certify for any applicable socio-economic categories: Small Business, WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, or 8(a) (if SBA-certified).
Points of Contact
Add your Government Business POC (primary contact for government correspondence), Electronic Business POC (receives system notifications and solicitation alerts), and Past Performance POC (references for contract evaluation). For small businesses, the same person typically fills all three roles — usually the owner.
Reps & Certs — Representations and Certifications
Answer every question in the Representations & Certifications section. These are legal attestations about your business — including size, ownership, foreign involvement, debarment status, and compliance with federal regulations. Read each question and its context before answering. False certifications at time of award can void a contract.
Submit and wait for activation
Once all sections show green checkmarks, click Submit. You receive a confirmation email with your case number — save it. The activation timeline runs in parallel: IRS TIN match (1–2 business days) checks your name against IRS records, then SAM.gov processing (3–7 business days) activates your entity and assigns your UEI and CAGE code. You receive an activation email when complete.
Save after every section. SAM.gov does not always auto-save. If you fill out multiple sections and close the browser without saving, your progress on unsaved sections may be lost. Save one section, confirm the green confirmation, then move to the next.
What Happens After Your Registration Goes Active
Activation is the starting line, not the finish. Once your SAM.gov entity is live, three things happen simultaneously:
First Actions After Activation
Search for opportunities in beta.SAM.gov
Use the advanced search filters to find contracts matching your NAICS codes, set-aside certifications, and geographic location. Set up saved searches with email notifications so new opportunities alert you automatically.
Build a capability statement
Your SAM.gov profile is your government-facing identity — but a capability statement is your marketing document. A one-to-two page summary of what you do, who your clients are, your NAICS codes, and your key differentiators is the most effective tool for getting noticed by contracting officers.
Set renewal reminders
SAM.gov registrations expire annually. Set two calendar reminders: one at 90 days and one at 60 days before your expiration date. Renewal is faster than initial registration but still takes several days — do not let it lapse while you are mid-bid on a contract.
Match with GovLane automatically
Manually searching SAM.gov is slow and error-prone. GovLane matches your NAICS codes and certifications to live federal opportunities automatically — free tier includes 3 matches per week. After registration, this is the fastest path to your first contract.
Already registered? Read the companion guide: How to Register on SAM.gov: Step-by-Step Guide covers the complete registration walkthrough with specific screenshots and the exact screens you will encounter. Use that guide alongside this one — entity registration and step-by-step process are two sides of the same task.
What Goes Wrong — and How to Avoid It
Name mismatch with IRS records
The single most common rejection. "Acme LLC" vs "Acme L.L.C." vs "Acme LLC." — even one extra character causes a TIN match failure. Call 800-829-4933 and ask the IRS exactly what name is registered to your EIN before you start.
P.O. Box used as entity address
SAM.gov requires a physical street address. Using a P.O. Box may pass validation but creates a problem later — contracting officers who verify your location will show up at the P.O. Box and find no business.
Forgetting to save each section
Auto-save is unreliable in SAM.gov. Filling out three sections, closing the browser, and coming back later is a common way to lose work. Save after every single section — it takes two seconds.
Wrong primary NAICS code
Your primary NAICS code determines set-aside eligibility — a wrong primary code means you miss reserved competitions you actually qualify for. Research your codes at census.gov/naics before you start. Use multiple codes, but mark your true primary revenue generator first.
Paying for registration
SAM.gov is free. Any vendor charging you to register is selling a service you can do yourself in under three hours. Scammers routinely cold-call new small businesses claiming SAM.gov registration is complicated and charging $500–$3,000 for what is a free government process.
Missing annual renewal
Registrations expire every year. An expired SAM.gov registration blocks new contract awards and stops payment processing on existing awards. Set two reminders — one at 90 days, one at 60 days before your anniversary date.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to obtain a UEI before registering on SAM.gov — SAM.gov assigns it automatically once your entity registration is complete and active. The UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You do not need a DUNS number at any point in the SAM.gov registration process.
A CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code is a 5-character identifier assigned automatically when your SAM.gov entity registration activates. You do not apply for it separately. CAGE codes are used by federal agencies to track procurement data and are required on all contract-related documentation. Your CAGE code will appear on your SAM.gov entity summary page once active.
Any US business entity can register: LLCs, C-corps, S-corps, sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs, and non-profits. Each entity type has a specific classification code in SAM.gov. Foreign entities doing business with the US government can also register with a US point of contact. The entity type must match your IRS records.
No. SAM.gov is the federal government contractor registration system. State and local government procurement uses different systems and typically does not require SAM.gov registration. However, many state and local governments require registration in their own portals. SAM.gov registration is strictly for businesses seeking federal government contracts.
You need a physical US address for the primary entity location field. SAM.gov requires a physical street address — not a P.O. Box — for the entity address. A US-based registered agent address counts as a physical address. If you do not have a US address, you can use a commercial registered agent service address, but the address must be within the United States.
Entity registration establishes your business as an authorized federal contractor in the SAM.gov system. This is the prerequisite for all contract activity. Opportunity registration — also called entity exclusion or entity pursuit — is a separate function where you register your interest in a specific solicitation so you receive amendments and notices about it. You must complete entity registration first before you can register for individual opportunities.
You will receive an activation email from sam.gov when your registration goes live. You can also check manually by logging into SAM.gov and viewing your entity summary — if it shows 'Active' under the registration status, you are good to go. Active registrations display the UEI, CAGE code, and expiration date publicly on SAM.gov Entity Snapshot pages.
No. Annual renewal keeps your existing registration active — you do not start over from scratch. The renewal process is faster than initial registration because your core data is already on file. You review and confirm all sections, update anything that has changed (bank account, address, contacts), and resubmit. The UEI and CAGE code remain the same. Set a reminder 60 days before your anniversary date to avoid any lapse in coverage.
Find Contracts You Can Actually Win
GovLane matches your NAICS codes, certifications, and location to live federal opportunities from SAM.gov. Free tier: 3 matches per week. Starter plan ($29/mo): unlimited daily matches plus automated alert emails the day new opportunities post.
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Continue Learning
How to Register on SAM.gov
Step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, the exact screens you will encounter, and the common mistakes that cause registration delays.
How to Win a Government Contract
Complete guide to the full federal contracting lifecycle: finding opportunities, writing proposals, winning awards, and building past performance.
GovLane Pricing
Free tier with 3 contract matches per week or Starter at $29/mo for unlimited daily alerts, bid templates, and priority support.