SAM.gov Registration Checklist — Everything You Need
SAM.gov registration is the first step to doing business with the federal government. This checklist covers everything you need to gather before starting, walks you through each registration step, and tells you what to do after your registration is active.
Registration is free and typically takes 7-10 business days. Do not pay anyone to register you — any service charging for SAM registration is a third party, not the government.
Required Documents
Gather these documents and information before you start the registration process.
EIN or TIN (Employer Identification Number / Taxpayer Identification Number)
You need your IRS-issued EIN (for businesses) or TIN/SSN (for sole proprietors). If you do not have an EIN, apply at IRS.gov — it is free and you can get one online immediately. Your EIN is required for IRS validation during SAM registration.
Banking information for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
You need your bank routing number, account number, and account type (checking or savings). This is how the government will pay you. The account must be in your entity's legal business name. Have a voided check or bank letter available for reference.
NAICS codes for your products or services
Identify the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes that describe what your company does. You can select multiple NAICS codes. Each NAICS code has a corresponding SBA size standard that determines your small business status. Research codes at census.gov/naics.
Business start date
The date your business was legally established. This is typically the date of incorporation, LLC formation, or when you began operating as a sole proprietorship. The government uses this to assess your business history.
Business type and legal structure
Know your legal structure: sole proprietorship, LLC, S-Corp, C-Corp, partnership, or nonprofit. You will also need to identify your socioeconomic categories (small business, women-owned, veteran-owned, etc.) and business organization type.
Authorized representative information
The person who will serve as your Entity Administrator in SAM.gov. This person must have authority to bind the organization. You need their full legal name, title, email, and phone number. This person will manage all SAM.gov activities for your entity.
Physical business address
Your principal place of business address (not a P.O. Box). This address is used for validation and will be publicly visible in your SAM.gov listing. If you operate from a home office, your home address can be used. You can also add a mailing address separately.
Annual revenue and employee count
Your average annual revenue for the past three completed fiscal years and your current number of employees. These figures determine your small business size status under SBA size standards. Be accurate — misrepresenting size status is a federal offense.
Registration Steps
Follow these steps to complete your SAM.gov registration.
Create a Login.gov account
Go to login.gov and create a personal account using your email address. You need multi-factor authentication (phone or authentication app). Each person who needs to access SAM.gov must have their own Login.gov account. This is separate from your SAM.gov entity registration.
Request your Unique Entity ID (UEI)
Log into SAM.gov with your Login.gov credentials and request a UEI. The UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. The UEI is assigned automatically during validation and is free. Validation typically takes 2-5 business days. You need the UEI before you can complete your full registration.
Complete Core Data
Enter your business information: legal business name, DBA name (if any), physical address, mailing address, business start date, business type, EIN/TIN, and NAICS codes. Also enter your banking information for EFT. Review everything carefully — errors delay validation.
Complete Assertions
Enter your goods and services information, size metrics (revenue, employees), and any applicable certifications. Select the Product Service Codes (PSCs) and NAICS codes that describe what you sell. These assertions help agencies find you when searching for potential vendors.
Submit Representations and Certifications
Complete the reps and certs section, which includes certifications about your business practices, compliance with federal laws, and socioeconomic status. Read each certification carefully — they are legally binding. This section includes FAR 52.204-26 (covered telecommunications) and other required representations.
Designate Points of Contact
Assign your Government Business POC, Electronic Business POC, and optionally an Alternate Government Business POC and Alternate Electronic Business POC. These contacts receive official correspondence from the government. Keep these up to date.
After Registration
Important tasks to complete once your SAM.gov registration is active.
Save your UEI and entity registration details
Record your Unique Entity ID (UEI) and CAGE code (assigned automatically for US entities). You will need these for every proposal, contract, and government form. Keep them in a readily accessible location for your contracts and proposals teams.
Set a renewal reminder (annual)
SAM.gov registrations expire after one year. Set a calendar reminder for 60 days before your expiration date. SAM.gov sends email reminders, but do not rely on them exclusively. An expired registration means no new awards and potential payment delays on existing contracts.
Update immediately if anything changes
You are required to update your SAM.gov registration within 30 days of any changes to your business name, address, ownership, banking information, or size status. Failure to maintain accurate information can result in payment problems or suspension from government contracting.
Add SAM.gov registration to your capability statement
Your capability statement should include your UEI, CAGE code, NAICS codes, and any socioeconomic designations from SAM.gov. This is the first document agencies and prime contractors request when considering you for opportunities.
Start searching for contracts
With an active SAM.gov registration, you are eligible to bid on government contracts. Begin monitoring SAM.gov for solicitations in your NAICS codes. Use Bureauify to search across SAM.gov, USAspending, FPDS, and Grants.gov simultaneously to find the best opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does SAM.gov registration take?
Initial SAM.gov registration typically takes 7-10 business days for domestic entities and up to 30 days for international entities. The process involves validation of your business information by the IRS and the entity validation service. You can check your registration status at SAM.gov. If your registration is taking longer than expected, contact the Federal Service Desk at fsd.gov.
Does SAM.gov registration cost money?
No. SAM.gov registration is completely free. Any company or website that charges you to register on SAM.gov is a third-party service, not the government. You can register yourself at SAM.gov at no cost. Be cautious of solicitation letters that appear official but are from commercial entities charging fees for services you can do yourself.
How often do I need to renew my SAM.gov registration?
SAM.gov registrations must be renewed annually. You will receive email reminders starting 60 days before expiration. Set your own reminder as well, because if your registration expires, you cannot receive new contract awards or payments on existing contracts until it is reactivated. Renewal requires reviewing and updating all entity information, representations, and certifications.
Related: Certifications & Set-Asides
Registered? Start Finding Contracts
Now that you are registered on SAM.gov, search across SAM.gov, USAspending, FPDS, and Grants.gov to find opportunities that match your NAICS codes and capabilities.