SAM.gov Vendor Registration Guide

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the federal government's vendor registration system. It assigns Unique Entity Identifiers (UEIs), captures business and banking information, and publishes federal contract opportunities. Every federal contractor and grant recipient must be registered.

Portal URL: https://sam.gov

Who uses SAM.gov?

All US federal agencies (DoD, civilian departments, independent agencies). State and local agencies do not generally use SAM.gov, but federal subcontractor registration requirements often flow down through prime contractors.

All federal civilian and defense agencies — SAM.gov is the consolidated federal vendor and opportunity portal.

Registration steps

Obtain an EIN from the IRS if you don't already have one (free, immediate online).
Create a Login.gov account using your business email.
Begin entity registration at SAM.gov. The system will request a CAGE code from DLA automatically.
Enter business name, address, banking information, NAICS codes, certifications (small business, set-aside eligibility), and points of contact.
Submit and wait — initial registration typically takes 7-14 business days. CAGE code assignment can extend this.
Renew annually. SAM.gov sends reminder emails 60, 30, and 15 days before expiration.

Cost

Free. There are no fees for SAM.gov registration. Beware of third-party services that charge for help — most vendors can self-register without paying.

What to expect

Plan for 2-4 weeks from start to active registration the first time. Annual renewals are typically 1-2 hours of administrative work. Bank account verification may require an EFT transmission from the agency before payment is established.

Tips

Use a business email (not personal) for your Login.gov account — personal Logins can't access entity records.
Keep your SAM.gov entity record current. Mid-year changes to NAICS, address, or banking can affect contract eligibility.
Set up SAM.gov saved searches with email alerts for the opportunities most relevant to your business.
For set-aside eligibility, certify through certify.SBA.gov separately — SAM.gov does not certify 8(a), HUBZone, etc.

Common questions about SAM.gov

Is SAM.gov the same as FedBizOpps?

No. FedBizOpps (FBO) was retired in November 2019 and its opportunity data was rolled into beta.SAM.gov, then into the current SAM.gov. Any documentation, articles, or trainings that reference FBO are out of date — use SAM.gov instead.

Is SAM.gov free?

Yes. Registration is free and self-service. Third-party services offering to "help" with SAM.gov registration for a fee are not affiliated with the government and are usually not necessary — most small businesses can register in a few hours on their own.

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

First-time registration typically takes 7-14 business days from submission to active status, driven by CAGE code assignment by DLA. Renewals are usually processed in 1-3 days.

Do I need SAM.gov to bid on state or local contracts?

No. SAM.gov is federal-only. State and local agencies use their own vendor portals (Bonfire, PlanetBids, DemandStar, BidNet, or the state's own portal). You may need SAM.gov if a federal prime contractor requires it for subcontracting.

What is a UEI on SAM.gov?

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric ID that replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. SAM.gov assigns your UEI automatically during registration. Federal agencies use it to identify your business in all contract and grant transactions.