Why SAM.gov Registration Is Non-Negotiable

If you want to do business with the federal government, SAM.gov registration is step one. It's not optional -- it's legally required. No SAM registration means no contract awards, no payments, and no access to the $7.2 trillion federal marketplace.

The good news: it's completely free, and you can do it yourself in about 45 minutes. Here's exactly how.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Gather these before you open SAM.gov:

**EIN (Employer Identification Number)** -- Your federal tax ID from the IRS. If you don't have one, apply at irs.gov (instant for most entities).

**DUNS Number or UEI** -- As of April 2022, SAM.gov assigns your UEI automatically. You no longer need a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet.

**Banking Information** -- Routing number and account number for receiving government payments via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer).

**NAICS Codes** -- Industry classification codes that describe what your business does. (See our NAICS code guide for help choosing these.)

**Business Address** -- Must match your IRS records exactly.

**Company POC Information** -- Name, email, and phone for your Entity Administrator.

**Scam Warning:** SAM.gov registration is 100% free. If any company offers to "register you in SAM" for a fee, it's a scam. The only legitimate URL is sam.gov.

Step 1: Create a Login.gov Account

SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. Go to login.gov and create an account:

Enter your email address

Set a password (12+ characters)

Set up multi-factor authentication (phone or authentication app)

Verify your email

Tip: Use your business email, not personal. This becomes your official government point of contact.

Step 2: Navigate to SAM.gov Entity Registration

Go to **sam.gov**

Click **"Get Started"** under Entity Registration

Select **"Register New Entity"**

Choose your entity type (most contractors select "Business or Organization")

Step 3: Validate Your Entity

SAM.gov will validate your business information against IRS records:

Enter your **EIN/TIN**

Enter your **legal business name** (must match IRS records exactly)

Enter your **physical address** (again, must match IRS)

SAM validates this against IRS data -- if it doesn't match, you'll get an error

Common Issue: Your business name on SAM must match the IRS exactly. If your IRS filing says "Smith Consulting LLC" but you enter "Smith Consulting, LLC" (with a comma), validation will fail. Check your IRS letter.

Step 4: Get Your UEI

After validation, SAM.gov automatically generates your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) -- a 12-character alphanumeric code that replaces the old DUNS number.

Save this immediately. Your UEI is used on every federal proposal, contract, and payment. You'll reference it hundreds of times.

Step 5: Complete Your Entity Profile

This is the most important section for winning contracts. Federal buyers search SAM.gov to find qualified vendors -- your profile is your storefront.

Core Information:

**Business Type:** Corporation, LLC, sole proprietor, partnership, etc.

**Business Size:** Small business designation under SBA standards

**Socioeconomic Categories:** Check all that apply:

- Small Business

- Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

- 8(a) certified (if applicable)

- Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)

- HUBZone certified (if applicable)

- Minority-Owned Business

**NAICS Codes:** Add every code relevant to your capabilities (you can add multiple)

**PSC Codes (Product Service Codes):** More specific than NAICS -- describe exact products/services

Representations and Certifications:

This section contains legally binding statements about your business. Read each one carefully. Key items include:

Small business size standard certification

Place of manufacture (for products)

Equal opportunity compliance

Tax delinquency status

Financial Information:

**Banking details** for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

**CAGE Code** -- Assigned automatically during registration (used by DOD)

Step 6: Submit and Wait

After completing all sections:

Review every section for accuracy

Submit your registration

SAM.gov processes within **7-10 business days** (sometimes faster)

You'll receive email confirmation when active

Important: Your SAM registration must be renewed annually. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before expiration. Lapsed registration means you can't receive awards or payments.

After Registration: Your Next Steps

Immediate (This Week):

**Set up Fed-Spend alerts** with your NAICS codes to start receiving matched opportunities

**Verify your entity** shows up in SAM.gov search

**Save your UEI and CAGE code** in your company records

Short-Term (This Month):

**Search for opportunities** on Fed-Spend using your NAICS codes

**Research competitors** in your space -- who's winning contracts you could bid on?

**Identify set-aside opportunities** if you qualify for 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, or WOSB

Ongoing:

**Renew annually** -- Don't let your registration lapse

**Update immediately** if your address, banking, or business structure changes

**Add NAICS codes** as your capabilities expand

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

The application itself takes 30-60 minutes to complete. Processing takes 7-10 business days after submission. Expedited processing is not available -- any service offering "fast-track" SAM registration for a fee is a scam.

Is SAM.gov registration free?

Yes, 100% free. The government does not charge for SAM.gov registration. If any company asks you to pay for registration, it is a scam. The only legitimate website is sam.gov.

What is a UEI number?

A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov to every registered entity. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You receive your UEI automatically during SAM.gov registration.

Do I need a DUNS number for SAM.gov?

No. As of April 4, 2022, DUNS numbers are no longer required. SAM.gov assigns a UEI automatically during registration. If you had a DUNS number previously, SAM.gov migrated it to a UEI.

How often do I need to renew my SAM.gov registration?

Every 12 months. SAM.gov sends reminder emails 60 and 30 days before expiration. If your registration lapses, you cannot receive new contract awards or payments on existing contracts until you renew.

Registered in SAM? Start finding contracts. [Search federal opportunities on Fed-Spend →](/search)

Why SAM.gov Registration Is Non-Negotiable

The good news: it's completely free, and you can do it yourself in about 45 minutes. Here's exactly how.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Gather these before you open SAM.gov:

**EIN (Employer Identification Number)** -- Your federal tax ID from the IRS. If you don't have one, apply at irs.gov (instant for most entities).

**DUNS Number or UEI** -- As of April 2022, SAM.gov assigns your UEI automatically. You no longer need a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet.

**Banking Information** -- Routing number and account number for receiving government payments via EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer).

**NAICS Codes** -- Industry classification codes that describe what your business does. (See our NAICS code guide for help choosing these.)

**Business Address** -- Must match your IRS records exactly.

**Company POC Information** -- Name, email, and phone for your Entity Administrator.

**Scam Warning:** SAM.gov registration is 100% free. If any company offers to "register you in SAM" for a fee, it's a scam. The only legitimate URL is sam.gov.

Step 1: Create a Login.gov Account

SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. Go to login.gov and create an account:

Enter your email address

Set a password (12+ characters)

Set up multi-factor authentication (phone or authentication app)

Verify your email

Tip: Use your business email, not personal. This becomes your official government point of contact.

Step 2: Navigate to SAM.gov Entity Registration

Go to **sam.gov**

Click **"Get Started"** under Entity Registration

Select **"Register New Entity"**

Choose your entity type (most contractors select "Business or Organization")

Step 3: Validate Your Entity

SAM.gov will validate your business information against IRS records:

Enter your **EIN/TIN**

Enter your **legal business name** (must match IRS records exactly)

Enter your **physical address** (again, must match IRS)

SAM validates this against IRS data -- if it doesn't match, you'll get an error

Step 4: Get Your UEI

After validation, SAM.gov automatically generates your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) -- a 12-character alphanumeric code that replaces the old DUNS number.

Save this immediately. Your UEI is used on every federal proposal, contract, and payment. You'll reference it hundreds of times.

Step 5: Complete Your Entity Profile

This is the most important section for winning contracts. Federal buyers search SAM.gov to find qualified vendors -- your profile is your storefront.

Core Information:

**Business Type:** Corporation, LLC, sole proprietor, partnership, etc.

**Business Size:** Small business designation under SBA standards

**Socioeconomic Categories:** Check all that apply:

- Small Business

- Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB)

- 8(a) certified (if applicable)

- Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB)

- Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned (SDVOSB)

- HUBZone certified (if applicable)

- Minority-Owned Business

**NAICS Codes:** Add every code relevant to your capabilities (you can add multiple)

**PSC Codes (Product Service Codes):** More specific than NAICS -- describe exact products/services

Representations and Certifications:

This section contains legally binding statements about your business. Read each one carefully. Key items include:

Small business size standard certification

Place of manufacture (for products)

Equal opportunity compliance

Tax delinquency status

Financial Information:

**Banking details** for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)

**CAGE Code** -- Assigned automatically during registration (used by DOD)

Step 6: Submit and Wait

After completing all sections:

Review every section for accuracy

Submit your registration

SAM.gov processes within **7-10 business days** (sometimes faster)

You'll receive email confirmation when active

Important: Your SAM registration must be renewed annually. Set a calendar reminder 30 days before expiration. Lapsed registration means you can't receive awards or payments.

After Registration: Your Next Steps

Immediate (This Week):

**Set up Fed-Spend alerts** with your NAICS codes to start receiving matched opportunities

**Verify your entity** shows up in SAM.gov search

**Save your UEI and CAGE code** in your company records

Short-Term (This Month):

**Search for opportunities** on Fed-Spend using your NAICS codes

**Research competitors** in your space -- who's winning contracts you could bid on?

**Identify set-aside opportunities** if you qualify for 8(a), SDVOSB, HUBZone, or WOSB

Ongoing:

**Renew annually** -- Don't let your registration lapse

**Update immediately** if your address, banking, or business structure changes

**Add NAICS codes** as your capabilities expand

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Is SAM.gov registration free?

Yes, 100% free. The government does not charge for SAM.gov registration. If any company asks you to pay for registration, it is a scam. The only legitimate website is sam.gov.

What is a UEI number?

Do I need a DUNS number for SAM.gov?

No. As of April 4, 2022, DUNS numbers are no longer required. SAM.gov assigns a UEI automatically during registration. If you had a DUNS number previously, SAM.gov migrated it to a UEI.

How often do I need to renew my SAM.gov registration?

Every 12 months. SAM.gov sends reminder emails 60 and 30 days before expiration. If your registration lapses, you cannot receive new contract awards or payments on existing contracts until you renew.

Registered in SAM? Start finding contracts. [Search federal opportunities on Fed-Spend →](/search)

SAM.gov Registration Step-by-Step: Get Your UEI and Start Bidding (2026)

Why SAM.gov Registration Is Non-Negotiable

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Step 1: Create a Login.gov Account

Step 2: Navigate to SAM.gov Entity Registration

Step 3: Validate Your Entity

Step 4: Get Your UEI

Step 5: Complete Your Entity Profile

Core Information:

Representations and Certifications:

Financial Information:

Step 6: Submit and Wait

After Registration: Your Next Steps

Immediate (This Week):

Short-Term (This Month):

Ongoing:

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Find Your Next Contract?

SAM.gov Registration Step-by-Step: Get Your UEI and Start Bidding (2026)

Why SAM.gov Registration Is Non-Negotiable

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Step 1: Create a Login.gov Account

Step 2: Navigate to SAM.gov Entity Registration

Step 3: Validate Your Entity

Step 4: Get Your UEI

Step 5: Complete Your Entity Profile

Core Information:

Representations and Certifications:

Financial Information:

Step 6: Submit and Wait

After Registration: Your Next Steps

Immediate (This Week):

Short-Term (This Month):

Ongoing:

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Find Your Next Contract?