SAM.gov Registration GuideFree, Step-by-Step

Before you can register on SAM.gov, you need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). As of April 2022, DUNS numbers are no longer required — the UEI replaced them entirely. You can request your UEI directly through SAM.gov during the registration process, or get one in advance at SAM.gov by selecting 'Get Started' and then 'Get a Unique Entity ID.' The UEI is assigned by the federal government at no cost. It typically takes 1–2 business days to receive your UEI, though it can take up to 2 weeks during peak periods. You will need your legal business name, physical address, and EIN (Employer Identification Number) or TIN (Taxpayer Identification Number) to request a UEI. If your business was previously registered with a DUNS number, your UEI was automatically assigned — check your SAM.gov account to find it.

SAM.gov registration requires specific information and documents. Prepare these before starting so you can complete the process in one session. You will need: your UEI number, EIN/TIN from the IRS, your bank account information (routing number and account number for EFT payments), your business legal name exactly as it appears on IRS records, your physical business address (not a PO Box), your NAICS codes (the industry classification codes that describe what your business does), your CAGE code (you can get one during SAM.gov registration if you do not already have one), the name of an Electronic Business Point of Contact (EBiz POC) who will serve as the primary administrator, and information about your business size, ownership, and socio-economic status. Having all of this ready prevents the most common cause of stalled registrations: missing information that requires you to leave the form and come back later.

SAM.gov uses Login.gov for authentication. If you do not already have a Login.gov account, you will need to create one. Go to login.gov and sign up with your government email or business email address. You will set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) — Login.gov requires either a phone number for SMS codes, an authentication app, or a security key. After creating your Login.gov account, go to SAM.gov and click 'Sign In' in the top right corner. This will redirect you to Login.gov to authenticate. Once signed in, SAM.gov will prompt you to start a new entity registration. Important: the email address you use for Login.gov should belong to the person who will serve as the EBiz POC — this person will receive all SAM.gov correspondence and will be responsible for maintaining the registration.

Once signed in to SAM.gov, select 'Get Started' then 'Register Your Entity.' The registration process has several sections: Core Data (legal name, address, UEI), Assertions (business types, goods/services, size), Representations and Certifications (socio-economic status, trade agreements), and Points of Contact (EBiz POC, government POC, accounts receivable). Each section must be completed before you can submit. The Core Data section is where you enter your UEI, legal business name, physical address, and business start date. In Assertions, you will select your NAICS codes, Product Service Codes (PSCs), and business type (corporation, LLC, sole proprietorship, etc.). Representations and Certifications is the longest section — it includes questions about ownership, size, trade compliance, and socio-economic certifications. Answer every question carefully — inaccurate representations can result in penalties under federal law. The entire process takes 45–60 minutes if you have all your documents ready.

After completing all sections, review your registration carefully and click 'Submit.' SAM.gov will validate your information against IRS and other federal databases. This validation process takes 7–10 business days for new registrations, and can take up to 25 business days during peak periods or if there are issues with your submission. Common reasons for validation delays: your business name does not match IRS records exactly, your EIN is incorrect, your bank account information cannot be verified, or your physical address cannot be confirmed. If your registration is rejected, SAM.gov will send an email to your EBiz POC explaining the issue — fix it and resubmit. Once validated, your entity will appear in SAM.gov searches and you will be eligible to bid on federal contracts, receive government purchase orders, and get paid via electronic fund transfer.

SAM.gov registrations expire after one year. You must renew your registration annually to remain eligible for federal contracts. SAM.gov sends reminder emails to your EBiz POC 60, 30, and 15 days before expiration. Renewal requires you to review and confirm all your information — update anything that has changed (address, bank account, NAICS codes, business size, certifications). The renewal process takes 10–20 minutes if nothing has changed. Validation of renewals is typically faster than new registrations, usually 3–5 business days. If your registration lapses, you cannot receive new contract awards or payments on existing contracts until it is renewed and revalidated. Set a calendar reminder 90 days before your expiration date to give yourself plenty of buffer. Many contractors set a recurring annual reminder to avoid the risk of lapsing.