SAM.gov Registration Guide: Step-by-Step Instructions
Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) is a mandatory first step for any business that wants to do business with the federal government. SAM.gov is the official U.S. government system that consolidated multiple older systems including CCR, ORCA, and EPLS. This guide walks you through the entire registration process step by step, including common pitfalls to avoid.
What is SAM.gov?
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the primary database of vendors doing business with the federal government. It serves multiple purposes: entity registration for government contracting, federal assistance listings (formerly CFDA), contract opportunities (formerly FBO), wage determinations, and exclusion records. An active SAM.gov registration is required before a company can be awarded a federal contract. Registration is free and must be renewed annually.
Step 1: Get a Login.gov Account
Before accessing SAM.gov, you need a Login.gov account. Visit login.gov and create an account using your business email address. You will need to set up multi-factor authentication using a phone, authentication app, or security key. Login.gov is the standard authentication service for many U.S. government websites, so this account will be useful beyond SAM.gov. Make sure to keep your login credentials secure.
Step 2: Obtain Your Unique Entity ID (UEI)
The Unique Entity ID (UEI) replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 as the official identifier for entities doing business with the federal government. You can request a UEI through SAM.gov during the registration process. The UEI is assigned by SAM.gov and is based on validation of your entity information. To get a UEI, you will need your legal business name, physical address (not a P.O. box), and basic business information. The UEI assignment is typically processed within a few business days.
Step 3: Gather Required Information
Before starting the registration process, gather the following information: your legal business name and DBA (if applicable), physical business address, mailing address, business start date, Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or EIN, bank account information (for electronic funds transfer), NAICS codes for your business, products and services codes (PSCs), and your company's point of contact information. Having this information ready will significantly speed up the registration process.
Step 4: Complete Entity Registration
Log in to SAM.gov and start a new entity registration. The system will guide you through several sections: Core Data (legal name, address, UEI), Assertions (business types, size, socioeconomic categories), Representations & Certifications (compliance certifications), and Points of Contact (government and electronic business POCs). Complete each section carefully, as errors can delay processing. The financial information section requires your bank's routing number and account number for direct deposit payments.
Step 5: Submit and Wait for Validation
After completing all sections, review your information and submit the registration. SAM.gov will validate your information against IRS records, which typically takes 7-10 business days but can take up to 3 weeks during busy periods. You will receive email notifications about your registration status. If there are any issues, SAM.gov will send you a notification explaining what needs to be corrected. Common issues include mismatches between your business name or EIN and IRS records.
Step 6: Maintain Your Registration
SAM.gov registrations must be renewed annually. You will receive email reminders before your registration expires. It is best practice to begin the renewal process at least 30 days before expiration. Keep your information up to date throughout the year, especially if your address, bank account, or points of contact change. An expired registration means you cannot receive new contract awards, and payments on existing contracts may be delayed.
Common Registration Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistakes include using a P.O. box instead of a physical address, mismatching your legal business name with IRS records, not completing all required representations and certifications, and letting your registration expire. Additionally, never pay a third party for SAM.gov registration: registration is always free. Any company charging for SAM.gov registration is running a scam. The SBA's Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs) offer free assistance with SAM.gov registration.