How to Register in SAM.gov (and Keep It Active)
A plain-language walkthrough of getting a Unique Entity ID and an active SAM.gov registration so you can bid on federal work.
SAM.gov is the government's System for Award Management, and an active registration in it is the entry ticket to federal contracting. If you are not registered and active, contracting officers generally cannot award you a contract, and you cannot be paid through the government's invoice system.
What you actually need
- A Unique Entity ID (UEI), the 12-character identifier that replaced the DUNS number.
- Your legal business name, address, and business type (for example, a limited liability company or corporation).
- Your NAICS codes and, for construction, your PSC codes.
- Financial and banking information for the representations and certifications.
The steps
- Create a Login.gov account and, if you will sign on behalf of the business, an identity that has been verified.
- Request your UEI in SAM.gov. For a brand-new entity this can take a few days while the government validates the record.
- Complete the Entity Registration: core data, assertions, representations and certifications, and points of contact.
- Confirm the registration is Active, not merely submitted.
Keeping it alive
Registrations must be renewed every year. Set a calendar reminder well before the anniversary, because a lapsed registration can stop payment on an active contract. If your legal name, address, banking details, or NAICS codes change, update SAM.gov promptly.
This guide is general information for construction small businesses, not legal advice. Rules can change; confirm current requirements on SAM.gov or with a contracting professional.