How to Register on SAM.gov: Step-by-Step Guide for Government Contractors

What Is SAM.gov?

SAM.gov — the System for Award Management — is the official U.S. government website where businesses register to do business with federal agencies. It serves as the central database for all entities that receive federal contracts, grants, and assistance awards. If your company is not registered and active in SAM.gov, you cannot be awarded a federal contract. Period.

SAM.gov replaced several older systems when it launched in 2012. It consolidated the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) into a single platform. If you encounter references to CCR or ORCA in older guides, those systems no longer exist — SAM.gov is the sole registration portal.

Beyond registration, SAM.gov is also where the government publishes contract opportunities (formerly on FedBizOpps/FBO), wage determinations, assistance listings (formerly the CFDA), and entity exclusion records. For new contractors, the registration function is where you start.

Before You Start: What You Need

Gathering your documents before you begin will save you from abandoned sessions and frustrating restarts. SAM.gov registration requires specific information that you may need to request from other agencies first. Here is what you need ready:

• Employer Identification Number (EIN/TIN): Your federal tax ID number, issued by the IRS. If you don't have one, apply at irs.gov. Sole proprietors can use their SSN, but an EIN is strongly recommended for government contracting.
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): This is your entity's unique ID in SAM.gov. As of April 2022, the UEI replaced the DUNS number that was previously issued by Dun & Bradstreet. You now get your UEI directly through SAM.gov at no cost — you do not need to go through any third party.
• Login.gov account: SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. You need an account at login.gov before you can access SAM.gov's registration system.
• Bank account information: Routing number and account number for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). This is how the government pays you. You will need your bank's name, address, ABA routing number, and account number.
• Business structure documentation: You need to know your legal business name (exactly as it appears on IRS records), your physical address, your mailing address, the date your business was started, and your business type (LLC, S-Corp, sole proprietorship, etc.).
• NAICS codes: The North American Industry Classification System codes that describe what your business does. You will select these during registration. Our NAICS codes guide covers how to choose the right ones.

Important: SAM.gov registration is completely free. If any website asks you to pay for SAM.gov registration, it is either a scam or an unnecessary third-party service. The government does not charge for registration, and no payment is required at any step. Multiple fraudulent websites mimic SAM.gov and charge hundreds of dollars for what is a free process. Always verify you are on the official sam.gov domain.

Step-by-Step Registration

Step 1: Get Your UEI from SAM.gov

Before you can complete your full entity registration, you need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Go to SAM.gov and select "Get Started" under the Entity Registration section. You will be prompted to validate your entity, which involves providing your legal business name, physical address, and other identifying information.

SAM.gov will run your information through a validation process. If your entity is found in existing government records, you may receive your UEI immediately. For new entities, validation can take 1-2 business days. Your UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier (e.g., JK7QLNZ8V9B3) that replaces the old 9-digit DUNS number.

Step 2: Create a Login.gov Account

If you don't already have one, create an account at login.gov. Use a business email address — not a personal Gmail or Yahoo account. You will need to set up multi-factor authentication (MFA), which Login.gov requires. Options include an authentication app, a security key, or backup codes.

Once your Login.gov account is active, go to SAM.gov and sign in. The first time you sign in, SAM.gov will ask you to link your Login.gov identity to your SAM.gov profile.

Step 3: Start Entity Registration

After signing in, navigate to "Entity Registrations" and select "Register Entity." SAM.gov will ask whether you are registering to pursue contracts, grants, or both. For government contracting, select "Contracts" (you can add grants later if needed). This choice determines which sections of the registration form you need to complete.

Step 4: Enter Business Information

This is the most detailed section. You will provide your legal business name, "doing business as" name (if applicable), physical address, mailing address, business start date, fiscal year end date, and entity type. Your legal business name must exactly match what is on file with the IRS. A mismatch between your SAM.gov business name and your IRS records is one of the most common causes of registration delays.

You will also enter information about your company's size, ownership, and socioeconomic status. If you qualify for any small business certifications (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB), you can indicate that here, though some certifications require separate application through the SBA.

Step 5: Select Your NAICS Codes

SAM.gov will ask you to select the NAICS codes that describe your business activities. You must choose at least one primary NAICS code and can add as many secondary codes as are relevant to your capabilities. Your NAICS codes directly affect which contract opportunities you will be matched with and which small business size standards apply to your firm.

This step is critical for your long-term success in government contracting. Choosing too few codes means you will miss opportunities. Choosing irrelevant codes undermines your credibility with contracting officers. Most successful small contractors register with 3-8 codes. Read our complete guide to NAICS codes for detailed advice on selecting the right codes.

Step 6: Add Banking Information for EFT

The government pays contractors via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). You will need to enter your bank's routing number, your account number, and whether it is a checking or savings account. This information is used to set up direct deposit for any contract payments you receive.

Double-check your banking information carefully. Incorrect EFT details can delay payments on awarded contracts. Some contractors set up a dedicated business bank account for government contract payments, which simplifies accounting and audit requirements.

Step 7: Review and Submit

Before submission, SAM.gov presents a complete review of all the information you entered. Go through every section carefully. Once submitted, changes to certain fields (like your legal business name) require a new validation cycle. After review, certify that the information is accurate and submit your registration.

How Long Registration Takes

After you submit your SAM.gov registration, several validation processes run behind the scenes:

• IRS TIN Validation: SAM.gov verifies your tax ID with the IRS. This typically takes 2-3 business days but can take longer if there is a name mismatch between your SAM.gov registration and your IRS records.
• CAGE Code Assignment: The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) assigns you a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, which is a 5-character identifier used by the Department of Defense. If you already have a CAGE code from prior government work, it will be linked to your registration. New CAGE code assignments typically take 3-5 business days.
• Entity Validation: SAM.gov's validation service confirms your entity details against authoritative sources. This is usually the fastest step (1-2 days) unless there are discrepancies.

Total timeline: For new registrations, expect 3-10 business days from submission to active status. Renewals (which are required annually) typically process in 1-3 business days since your entity information is already on file. In rare cases involving IRS mismatches or other data issues, registration can take 2-3 weeks.

You can check your registration status by signing into SAM.gov and viewing your entity record. SAM.gov also sends email notifications when your registration goes active or when issues require your attention.

Common Registration Mistakes

These are the most frequent errors that delay or complicate SAM.gov registration. Avoiding them will save you days of back-and-forth.

Wrong or Too Few NAICS Codes

Many first-time registrants pick a single NAICS code or choose codes that don't accurately reflect their work. This limits the contract opportunities they can find and compete for. On the other hand, selecting 20+ codes to "cast a wide net" looks unfocused to contracting officers. The sweet spot is 3-8 codes that genuinely represent your capabilities.

Incomplete Banking Information

Leaving the EFT section incomplete or entering incorrect bank details is surprisingly common. Some registrants skip this step thinking they can add it later. While your registration may still process, you will not be able to receive contract payments until your banking information is validated. Always complete this section during initial registration.

Letting Registration Lapse

SAM.gov registrations expire after one year. You must renew annually, and the renewal process is your responsibility — SAM.gov sends reminder emails, but many go to spam folders. If your registration lapses, you are ineligible for new contract awards, and payments on existing contracts can be delayed. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before expiration to start your renewal.

Not Updating After Changes

If your business changes its legal name, address, bank account, or ownership structure, you must update your SAM.gov registration. An outdated registration can cause payment failures, contract eligibility issues, and compliance problems. SAM.gov does not automatically sync with IRS or state business records.

Using a Personal Email Instead of Business Email

While SAM.gov does not technically prohibit personal email addresses, using a Gmail, Yahoo, or Outlook.com address for your government contracting account looks unprofessional and can cause issues with Login.gov account recovery. Use a business email address on your company's domain. If you don't have one, setting up a basic business email is an inexpensive first step.

What to Do After Registration

Once your SAM.gov registration goes active, you are eligible to pursue federal contracts. But having an active registration does not mean opportunities will come to you. Here is what to do next:

1. Start searching for contracts. SAM.gov's Contract Opportunities section (formerly FedBizOpps) is where agencies post solicitations. You can search by keyword, NAICS code, set-aside type, and agency. Learn more in our guide to finding government contracts for your small business.
2. Set up contract alerts. Rather than checking SAM.gov manually every day, use an alert service that matches new opportunities to your NAICS codes and preferences. SAM.gov offers basic saved searches, but dedicated tools provide more precise matching and daily delivery to your inbox.
3. Consider a daily contract digest. GovConToday scans SAM.gov every day and sends you a personalized email with contracts that match your NAICS codes, set-aside preferences, and target states. It takes about two minutes to set up and ensures you never miss a relevant opportunity while you focus on running your business.
4. Get your capability statement ready. Contracting officers will want to see a one-page document summarizing your company's capabilities, past performance, certifications, and contact information. Prepare this before you start responding to solicitations.
5. Explore small business set-aside programs. If you qualify for programs like 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, or WOSB, apply for certification through the SBA. Set-aside contracts have less competition and are specifically reserved for qualified small businesses.

Key Takeaways

• SAM.gov registration is mandatory for any business that wants to receive federal contracts or grants. There is no workaround.
• Registration is completely free. Any site charging you for SAM.gov registration is a scam or an unnecessary paid service.
• The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You get your UEI directly from SAM.gov at no cost.
• Gather your EIN, bank account details, business structure information, and NAICS codes before starting. Having everything ready makes the process take about an hour.
• New registrations take 3-10 business days to process. Annual renewals take 1-3 business days. The most common cause of delays is a mismatch between your business name on SAM.gov and IRS records.
• Your registration expires every year. Set a reminder 60 days before expiration to avoid a lapse in eligibility.
• After registration, set up daily contract alerts or a service like GovConToday to automatically match new opportunities to your NAICS codes.