What is SAM.gov and why do you need to register?
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official U.S. government registration system for any entity that wants to do business with the federal government. If you want to bid on federal contracts, receive grants, or participate in federal assistance programs, an active SAM.gov registration is mandatory — no exceptions.
Registration is completely free. Any website or service that charges you to register on SAM.gov is unnecessary — you can do everything directly at sam.gov at no cost. Registration typically takes 7-10 business days to process after submission, though it can take longer during peak periods.
What do you need before you start?
Before beginning your SAM.gov registration, gather the following:
Your legal business name exactly as it appears on IRS documents. Your Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS — if you don't have one, apply at irs.gov (it's instant for most business types). Your business address and phone number. Your bank account number and routing number for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) — this is how the government pays contractors. The name and contact information of your Electronic Business Point of Contact (EB POC) and Government Business Point of Contact (GB POC) — these can be the same person for small businesses.
You should also identify your NAICS codes before starting. These classify your business by industry and determine your small business size standard. Research which codes match your capabilities at census.gov/naics.
How do you create your SAM.gov account?
Start by going to sam.gov and clicking "Sign In" in the upper right. You'll need a Login.gov account — this is the government's single sign-on system. If you don't have one, create it first at login.gov with your email address and a strong password, plus multi-factor authentication.
Once signed in to SAM.gov, navigate to "Entity Registration" and select "Register New Entity." Choose your entity type (most contractors select "Business or Organization") and your country. The system will search for your entity — if you've never registered, it won't find you, and you'll proceed to create a new registration.
During registration, you'll receive your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) — a 12-character alphanumeric code that serves as your primary identifier across all federal systems. This replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. Your CAGE code will also be assigned automatically during the process.
What are the key sections of the registration?
The SAM.gov registration form has several sections that must be completed:
Core Data: Your legal business name, physical address, start date, business type, and organizational structure. This must match your IRS records exactly. Assertions: Information about your business size, ownership, and socioeconomic status. This is where you indicate whether you're a small business and any applicable certifications. Representations and Certifications: Legal certifications required by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). These include certifications about debarment, tax delinquency, lobbying, and other compliance matters. Read each carefully — they carry legal weight. Points of Contact: Your Electronic Business POC and Government Business POC. These individuals receive important communications about your registration and any contract actions. Financial Information: Your banking details for EFT payments. You'll also need to complete an IRS consent form (available within SAM.gov) to allow the government to verify your tax information.
How do you maintain your registration?
Your SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. SAM.gov sends reminder emails 60 and 30 days before expiration, but it's good practice to set your own calendar reminder. If your registration expires, you cannot bid on new contracts or receive payments on existing ones until it's renewed.
When renewing, review all your information for accuracy — especially your NAICS codes, business size, addresses, and banking information. If any of your Representations and Certifications have changed, update them. The renewal process is faster than the initial registration, typically processing in 3-5 business days.
Keep your points of contact current. If someone leaves your company, update the POC information immediately. Missed government communications due to outdated contacts can cause problems with your registration or active contracts.
What are common mistakes to avoid?
The most common registration issues that cause delays or rejections:
Business name mismatch — your SAM.gov name must exactly match your IRS records. Even small differences (like "LLC" vs "L.L.C.") can cause validation failures. If your IRS name doesn't match, fix it with the IRS first. Banking errors — incorrect account or routing numbers will delay your registration. Double-check these against a voided check or your bank's official documentation. Incomplete Representations and Certifications — every required certification must be completed. Leaving any blank will prevent submission. Wrong NAICS codes — while you can select multiple codes, make sure your primary code accurately represents your main business activity. This affects your small business status determination.
If your registration is rejected, SAM.gov will tell you why. Fix the specific issues and resubmit. Don't start a new registration — correct the existing one.