What is SAM.gov?
The System for Award Management — the official U.S. government website where businesses register to bid on federal contracts and where agencies post opportunities.
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official U.S. government system that consolidated multiple federal procurement systems into a single platform. It serves as both the contractor registration database and the primary listing site for federal contract opportunities (replacing the former FedBizOpps/FBO.gov).
To bid on federal contracts, businesses must have an active SAM.gov registration, which includes providing business information, banking details for electronic payment, NAICS codes, and representations and certifications. Registration is free and must be renewed annually.
SAM.gov also hosts the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) for award data, the Wage Determinations portal, entity exclusion records, and subcontracting plans. It is the authoritative source for federal procurement data.
Related Terms
A 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to every entity registered in SAM.gov, replacing the former DUNS number.
CAGE CodeA 5-character identifier assigned to entities that do business with the federal government, used to track contractors across contracts.
NAICS CodeA standardized numeric code that classifies businesses by industry sector, used by federal agencies to categorize contract opportunities.
FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System)The central database that collects and publishes data on all federal contract actions above the micro-purchase threshold.