Want to sell products or services to the federal government? You need to register on SAM.gov first. This isn't optional--it's a mandatory requirement established by the Federal Acquisition Regulation. The federal government cannot legally award contracts to unregistered businesses.
The registration process looks intimidating at first glance. Multiple forms, validation requirements, identification codes, and certifications create a maze that stops many businesses before they start. Research from Georgia Tech found that 1 in 5 SAM.gov registrations contain errors, and an estimated 120,000 company records have mistakes that delay or derail their federal contracting ambitions.
Some businesses choose to handle registration themselves. Others work with government contracting partners who manage registration as part of a complete market entry strategy. Either path leads to the same destination--an active SAM registration that unlocks federal opportunities.
This guide walks you through the entire SAM registration process step by step. You'll learn what documents you need, how to avoid common mistakes, and what to expect at each stage. Whether you're doing it yourself or evaluating your options, understanding the full process helps you make informed decisions.
What Is SAM.gov and Why Does It Matter?
The System for Award Management (SAM) is the official government database for entities doing business with the federal government. Think of it as the master registry that connects your company to federal contracting opportunities worth over $700 billion annually.
What SAM.gov Registration Gets You
Completing SAM registration unlocks several critical capabilities:
Federal contract eligibility. You cannot bid on or receive federal contracts without an active SAM registration. Period. Contracting officers verify your registration status before making any award.
Grant application access. Most federal grants require SAM registration as a prerequisite. If you're applying through Grants.gov, you'll need your SAM registration complete first.
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). SAM.gov assigns your UEI during registration. This 12-character alphanumeric code replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 and serves as your company's official identifier across all federal systems.
CAGE code assignment. A Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is automatically assigned during SAM registration. This five-character code is required for Department of Defense contracts and procurement.
Visibility to contracting officers. Federal buyers search SAM.gov to find potential vendors. Your registration profile tells them what you sell, your certifications, and your company details.
Recent Changes to SAM Requirements
The FAR Council issued a final rule in August 2025 that clarifies registration timing requirements. Under the updated rule, offerors must maintain active SAM registration at two specific points: when submitting an offer and at time of award. This resolves confusion created by a 2018 amendment about continuous registration requirements.
What You Need Before Starting Registration
Gather these documents and information before logging into SAM.gov. Having everything ready prevents delays and reduces errors.
Required Business Documentation
Legal business name. This must match exactly what's on file with the IRS. Even a single character difference--a period, comma, or spelling variation--will cause validation failure.
Tax identification. You'll need either your Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Social Security Number (SSN) for sole proprietors. This verifies your identity and tax status.
Entity validation documents. SAM.gov requires documentation to validate your legal business name, physical address, and business start date. Acceptable documents include:
- Certificate of Formation or Articles of Organization
- Department of Treasury IRS letter (CP 575 or equivalent)
- Utility bills showing your business address
- Bank statements
- Business licenses
Physical address. Your actual business location, not a P.O. Box. Address formatting matters--if your physical address doesn't match standard USPS formatting, validation will fail.
Banking Information
Bank account details. The government pays contractors via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). You'll need:
- Bank routing number
- Account number
- Bank contact information (specifically the ACH department number)
Why ACH details matter. If payment issues arise, the government contacts your bank's ACH department directly. An incorrect or outdated contact number creates unnecessary delays.
Business Classification Information
NAICS codes. North American Industry Classification System codes categorize your business activities. You'll need to select at least one, but can add multiple codes. More on selecting the right codes below.
Business size information. Employee count and average annual receipts determine your small business eligibility for various programs and set-aside contracts.
Ownership details. Information about your business structure and owners, particularly for certification programs.
Step-by-Step SAM.gov Registration Process
Registration typically takes 10-15 business days when everything is submitted correctly. If errors exist, expect 3-4 weeks. Here's the process:
Step 1: Create Your Login.gov Account
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for account authentication. Before you can register your entity, you need a personal Login.gov account.
Go to SAM.gov and click "Sign In." You'll be redirected to Login.gov to create an account or sign in with existing credentials. Use an email address you control and will have long-term access to--this becomes your primary contact method.
Important: Creating a Login.gov account is separate from registering your business entity. Don't confuse these two steps.
Step 2: Initiate Entity Registration
Once logged into SAM.gov, navigate to the Workspace section and locate the Entities widget. Click to begin a new registration.
You'll first need to get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). You have two options:
- Get UEI only: Receive your identifier without completing full registration. This doesn't allow you to receive federal contracts or grants.
- Complete full registration: Get your UEI and full registration allowing you to pursue federal contracts and assistance.
For federal contracting, choose complete registration.
Step 3: Select Your Entity Type
Choose the classification that matches your organization:
- Business or organization
- U.S. federal government
- U.S. state government
- U.S. local government
- Foreign government
- Individual
Each entity type faces different registration requirements. Businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations each have specific documentation needs.
Step 4: Enter Core Data
This section captures your fundamental business information:
Legal business name. Enter exactly as it appears on IRS records. Double-check spelling, punctuation, and spacing.
Physical address. Use your actual business location with proper USPS formatting. The system validates this against official databases.
Mailing address. Can differ from physical address if needed.
Start date. When your business began operations.
State of incorporation. Where your business is legally registered.
Step 5: Select Your NAICS Codes
This step determines which contract opportunities you'll be eligible for and matched with.
What NAICS codes do. Federal contracting officers assign a single NAICS code to each opportunity. If that code isn't in your SAM profile, you may not receive alerts or be considered eligible.
How to select codes. Use the NAICS lookup tool at the Census Bureau website to find codes matching your business activities. Look for codes that:
- Accurately describe your primary business function
- Align with contracts you want to pursue
- Match your actual capabilities
Best practices for code selection:
- Research recent contract awards in your sector to see which NAICS codes were used
- Maintain 3-5 codes that accurately represent your capabilities
- Designate one primary code that reflects your core business
- Review and update codes quarterly as your business evolves
Size standards matter. Each NAICS code has associated SBA size standards (employee count or annual revenue thresholds) that determine small business eligibility. The code you select impacts whether you qualify for small business set-asides.
Step 6: Choose Your Registration Purpose
Select either:
- All Awards: For businesses pursuing contracts and/or federal assistance (grants)
- Financial Assistance Only: For organizations only seeking grants, not contracts
Federal contractors need "All Awards" selected. This triggers CAGE code verification as part of the process.
Step 7: Complete Representations and Certifications
Representations and Certifications (Reps & Certs) verify your compliance with federal regulations outlined in FAR 52.204-8. This section asks questions to determine which FAR and DFARS provisions apply to your business.
What you're certifying:
- Independent price determination
- Lobbying disclosures
- Taxpayer identification verification
- Small business status claims
- Telecommunications equipment restrictions
- Various regulatory compliance statements
Critical warning: Providing false information, even accidentally, can result in penalties including suspension, fines, or debarment. Take this section seriously.
Common certification mistakes:
- Accidentally self-certifying as a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) when you don't qualify. This is considered misrepresentation regardless of intent.
- Mismatched identification numbers
- Failing to provide explanations for conditional responses
Review every response carefully. When in doubt, select the conservative option and verify with a contracting specialist.
Step 8: Enter Points of Contact
Designate individuals authorized to manage your SAM account:
- Government Business Point of Contact
- Electronic Business Point of Contact
- Alternate Points of Contact
Use email addresses that will remain valid and monitored. If the point of contact email becomes invalid or belongs to someone who leaves the company, your registration will face problems.
Step 9: Submit Notarized Letter
A critical step many businesses miss: you must submit a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk (FSD). This letter formally acknowledges which individuals have authority to manage your SAM account.
Neglecting this step delays or blocks registration completion.
Step 10: Await Validation
After submission, your registration enters the validation queue. The system checks:
- IRS tax database (TIN/EIN verification)
- Entity Validation System (EVS) for address and business name
- CAGE code assignment through the Defense Logistics Agency
Processing typically takes 10-15 business days when everything is accurate. You'll receive email notifications about validation status.
Common SAM Registration Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
With 1 in 5 registrations containing errors, knowing what trips people up helps you avoid the same problems.
Data Validation Failures
Business name mismatch. Your legal business name must match IRS records exactly. One character difference causes validation failure. Before registering, verify your exact business name as registered with the IRS.
Address formatting errors. Physical addresses must match USPS formatting standards. Use the USPS address verification tool to confirm your address format before entering it in SAM.
EIN/TIN mismatch. If your taxpayer identification doesn't match IRS records, registration fails. Verify this information before starting.
Duplicate Identifier Issues
Duplicate UEI requests. Requesting a UEI multiple times triggers duplicate entries that delay registration until resolved. Submit once and wait for processing.
CAGE code conflicts. If you had a previous CAGE code that wasn't properly linked, you may get a duplicate code assigned. This causes validation failure and potential loss of past performance data. Check for existing CAGE codes before registering.
Banking Information Errors
Incorrect account details. Wrong routing or account numbers cause payment failures and can trigger validation rejections. Triple-check these numbers.
Outdated bank contacts. Ensure the ACH department phone number is current. Government payment processors contact this number to resolve EFT issues.
Certification Missteps
Errant SDB certification. The registration interface confuses many businesses into accidentally claiming Small Disadvantaged Business status. Carefully review this section--misrepresentation carries serious penalties.
Missing certification updates. Reps & Certs expire annually. Failing to update during renewal creates compliance issues.
Process Confusion
Confusing account creation with registration. Creating a Login.gov account is separate from registering your entity. Both are required, but they're different processes.
Missing the notarized letter. Skipping this step blocks registration completion. Factor this into your timeline.
CAGE Code Requirements for Federal Contractors
Your CAGE code is automatically assigned through SAM.gov during registration. Here's what you need to know:
What CAGE Codes Are
A Commercial and Government Entity code is a five-character alphanumeric identifier issued by the Defense Logistics Agency. It identifies physical facility locations and supports procurement processes throughout the federal government.
CAGE Code Renewal
CAGE codes obtained after August 26, 2016 must be renewed every five years. Codes held before that date don't expire. Mark your renewal date on your calendar.
International Contractors
Vendors outside the United States obtain NATO CAGE codes (NCAGE) through:
- Their country's National Codification Bureau (for NATO members)
- NATO Support Agency (for non-NATO countries)
Maintaining Your SAM Registration
Registration isn't a one-time task. Active registration requires ongoing attention.
Annual Renewal Requirements
Your SAM registration must be renewed every 365 days to remain active. An expired registration means:
- You cannot receive contract awards
- You're ineligible for grants
- You miss contract opportunity notifications
Best practice: Start renewal 60-90 days before expiration. This buffer accounts for validation delays and prevents gaps in your registration status.
What to Update During Renewal
Review and update if needed:
- Business information changes (address, contacts, banking)
- NAICS codes (add new services, remove discontinued ones)
- Representations and certifications (required annually)
- Points of contact (remove departed employees)
Monitoring Your Status
Set calendar reminders for:
- 90 days before expiration: Begin renewal process
- 60 days before expiration: Check renewal status
- 30 days before expiration: Escalate if issues exist
Getting Help with SAM Registration
If you encounter problems or need assistance:
Free Government Resources
APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) provide free government contracting assistance to small businesses. Find your local APEX Accelerator for hands-on help with SAM registration.
Federal Service Desk (FSD) handles SAM.gov technical issues and questions. They can help troubleshoot validation problems and registration errors.
When to Consider Professional Help
SAM registration can take 10+ hours to complete correctly. The DIY approach works well for businesses with staff who can dedicate time to learning the system and managing ongoing compliance.
For businesses focused on winning contracts rather than managing paperwork, end-to-end government contracting partners offer a different model. These firms handle SAM registration, opportunity identification, proposal development, and compliance as part of their service--you focus on delivering the work when you win. The registration becomes one item on a checklist they manage, not a project you own.
Professional support typically makes sense if:
- Your time is better spent running your business or delivering services
- You want to pursue contracts without building internal procurement expertise
- You've experienced repeated validation failures going the DIY route
- You're entering government contracting as one revenue channel among several, not your primary focus
What Comes After SAM Registration
Completing SAM registration is step one. To pursue federal contracts effectively:
Monitor opportunities. Set up saved searches in SAM.gov for your NAICS codes. Enable email alerts for relevant solicitations.
Pursue certifications. SBA certification programs like 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, and SDVOSB open additional contract opportunities. Evaluate which programs you qualify for.
Build past performance. Start with smaller contracts or subcontracting opportunities to establish a track record.
Learn the process. Understanding solicitations, proposal requirements, and compliance obligations positions you to compete effectively.
Taking Action on Your SAM Registration
The federal government spends over $700 billion annually on contracts, with billions reserved specifically for small businesses. Your SAM registration is the gateway to these opportunities.
If you're handling registration yourself:
This week: Gather all required documentation--legal business name verification, tax identification, banking information, and entity validation documents.
Next week: Create your Login.gov account and initiate SAM registration. Work through each section methodically, referring back to this guide.
Ongoing: Set calendar reminders for annual renewal. Keep your registration current to maintain eligibility.
The registration process has real complexity, but it's navigable. Take it step by step, verify your information before submitting, and don't hesitate to seek help from APEX Accelerators if you get stuck.
If you'd rather focus on winning work: Some businesses prefer to skip the administrative learning curve entirely. Working with a government contracting partner means SAM registration, renewals, and compliance happen in the background while you concentrate on what you do best--delivering excellent products or services. The registration gets done correctly the first time, and you never think about it again.
Either path gets you to the same place: positioned to compete for contracts that can transform your business.
Ready to explore your options? Whether you're committed to the DIY route or curious about working with a partner who handles the paperwork, the next step is understanding the full government contracting landscape. Explore our complete guide to government contracting for small business to map out your path forward.