Register in SAM.gov (federal)

What it's for

SAM.gov is the federal government's vendor database. To bid on and win federal contracts as the prime contractor, your business must have an active SAM.gov registration. Registering also gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and is where you self-certify as a small business.

Have this ready

• Legal business name and physical address (no PO boxes), exactly as the IRS has them
• Date and state of incorporation/formation
• Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN) and the taxpayer name/address used with the IRS (you consent to an IRS check)
• Bank info for Electronic Funds Transfer: account type, routing number, account number; plus remittance address
• NAICS codes for what you sell (Product Service Codes are optional)
• Business structure and profit status
• Three required points of contact: Accounts Receivable, Electronic Business, and Government Business (alternates optional)
• Answers for the representations and certifications (debarment, tax compliance, size, etc.)
• A Login.gov account for the person doing the registration

Steps

1. Go to SAM.gov and select Sign In. You are sent to Login.gov to sign in or create an account.
2. Download and fill out the official Entity Registration Checklist so you have every answer before you start.
3. Select Get Started and choose Register Entity. (Choose "Get a Unique Entity ID" only if you just need a UEI, for example as a subcontractor. That does not let you bid as a prime.)
4. Pick your registration purpose. "All Awards" lets you bid on contracts and apply for financial assistance. "Financial Assistance Only" is for grants and loans only. To bid on contracts, choose All Awards.
5. Enter your entity information and complete entity validation. If SAM.gov cannot match your business, you must upload documents proving your legal name, physical address, start year, and state of incorporation.
6. Your UEI is assigned during registration.
7. Complete core data (TIN, EFT banking, NAICS), then reps and certs (including small business size), then points of contact.
8. Submit. SAM.gov then runs the IRS TIN match and CAGE code validation. If either fails, SAM.gov emails you instructions to fix and resubmit.
9. Allow at least ten business days for the registration to become active. Check progress with SAM.gov's Check Entity Status tool.

After you register

• Renew every 365 days or your registration expires. The Department of Energy's SAM guide recommends starting renewal 45 to 60 days before expiration.
• GSA notes that on renewals, IRS and CAGE validation can take 7 to 12 business days, so do not wait until the last week.
• If required for a contract, keep your registration, UEI, and CAGE code active through final payment.
• Update SAM.gov whenever your bank account, address, ownership, or contacts change.
• Once registered, you can sign in to save searches, follow opportunities, and join interested vendor lists.

Watch out for

• It is free. Per the DOE guide: "There is no charge to register or maintain your entity registration in SAM.gov." GSA: "You do not need to pay a third party to complete your registration." Ignore emails or calls that look official and ask for a fee.
• Mismatched data is the top cause of delays. Your name, address, and ownership must match across IRS, SAM.gov, and SBA records.
• Picking "Financial Assistance Only" or "UEI only" will not let you bid on contracts.
• Notarized letter: the DOE guide says you must submit a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk (FSD.gov) to replace your Entity Administrator if that person leaves. We could not confirm the current full FSD.gov rules directly (the page could not be retrieved), so check FSD.gov if you are setting up or changing an administrator.
• Missing your 365-day renewal can make you ineligible for awards until it is active again.

Standard bid forms for federal bids

These are the forms bidders are most often asked to sign or attach. Each bid lists exactly which ones it needs, and many agencies attach their own copies, so always use the version in the bid documents when there is one.

Sources

• sam.gov/entity-registration
• sam.gov/content/entity-registration
• alpha.sam.gov/sites/default/files/2024-10/entity-checklist.pdf
• sam.gov/content/status-tracker
• sam.gov/opportunities
• www.gsa.gov/small-business/find-opportunities/register-your-business
• www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/basic-requirements
• www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2026-01/appendix-7-sam-registration-guide_121625.
• www.gsa.gov/system/files/Stakeholder_Forum_-_FAQs_Validation_-_Sept_14,_2022.pdf

FindMyBids isn't affiliated with any government agency. Registration is free or low cost on official sites; you don't need to pay a third party. Always follow the official portal's instructions.