What Is the System for Award Management (SAM)?

The system for award management is the federal government’s online platform for registering businesses and managing entity information used in federal awards.

SAM.gov is where you create or update that record, get a Unique Entity ID, and find federal contract opportunities.

System for award management explained

The system for award management, usually called SAM, is a federal government system for collecting and managing information about organizations that do business with the government. Its public website is SAM.gov. The name is sometimes searched as “systems for award management,” but the system’s name is singular.

SAM.gov is not a government contracting company, and creating a record does not guarantee a contract. It is one part of doing business with federal agencies. Agencies use the information in your entity record when they award contracts and other federal assistance. The website also includes contract opportunity notices and other federal information.

What SAM.gov does

A business can use SAM.gov to create and maintain an entity record, receive a Unique Entity ID (UEI), and provide information needed for federal awards. A complete registration includes business details and representations and certifications. Keep your information accurate, because agencies may use it during procurement.

SAM.gov also publishes federal contract opportunities. You can search those notices by agency, location, industry, and other filters. To understand what an agency buys, browse federal agencies and what they buy. You can also review open federal bids from SAM.gov, filterable by industry, state and set-aside.

What is SAM registration

SAM registration is the process of entering your business information into SAM.gov and submitting an entity record. A UEI alone is not the same as a full registration. US businesses need a full SAM registration to bid on federal prime contracts.

Registration at SAM.gov is free. You do not need to pay a third-party service to register. Before you begin, gather accurate business and tax information and make sure the person handling the registration is authorized to represent the business. For a walkthrough of the process and what to prepare, see SAM registration.

1. Go to SAM.gov and choose the entity registration option that fits your purpose.
2. Enter your business information carefully, complete the required sections, and submit the registration.
3. Check the record after submission and respond if SAM.gov requests clarification or additional information.

UEI, CAGE code, and NAICS codes

SAM.gov assigns a free, 12-character Unique Entity ID to an entity. The UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. You can request a UEI without completing a full SAM registration, but you still need full registration to bid on federal prime contracts. Read more about the UEI number.

For US businesses, the Defense Logistics Agency assigns a CAGE code during SAM registration. You will also identify the work your business performs using NAICS codes. These are six-digit industry codes, and the SBA sets a small business size standard for each one. Use the free NAICS code lookup to research codes that match your services or products. Select codes that accurately describe your work, rather than adding unrelated codes.

When registration is required

If you want to compete for a federal prime contract, complete a full SAM registration and keep it active. Read the solicitation carefully, since it explains the requirements for that specific opportunity. A UEI by itself does not replace the full registration requirement for federal prime bids.

Subcontractors work for a prime contractor rather than receiving the prime award directly. They may not need a full SAM registration for every subcontract, but requirements can vary by prime contractor, agency, and contract. Ask the prime contractor what it requires before you start work. State and local governments also have their own vendor registration systems, so federal SAM registration does not automatically register your business with them.

Keep your SAM record active

A SAM registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active. Put the renewal date on your calendar and review the record for changes to your address, points of contact, ownership, banking details, or business status. An expired registration can interfere with your ability to pursue a federal prime contract.

Follow the system for award management renewal instructions and complete the renewal through SAM.gov at no cost. If you encounter an error or a delayed record, use the sam.gov registration problems guide or contact the Federal Service Desk at FSD.gov. Do not pay a company that claims a fee is required to renew your registration.

Find opportunities and get free help

Once your business is registered, look for opportunities that fit your services, location, and capacity. Search federal contract opportunities on SAM.gov and compare current notices with past awards on USAspending.gov. Past awards can help you see which agencies buy your type of work and which businesses have received awards. You can explore federal contract spending by industry for additional market research.

You can get free help from APEX Accelerators, Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE mentors. APEX Accelerators help businesses understand government contracting, while SBDCs and SCORE can provide broader business advising. SBA certifications such as 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB and EDWOSB, VOSB, and SDVOSB are applied for at no cost through MySBA Certifications.

Frequently asked questions

Is SAM registration free?

Yes. Registering or renewing a business record at SAM.gov is free. Third-party services that charge to register your business are not required.

Do I need to be registered to bid on government contracts?

You need a full, active SAM registration to bid on federal prime contracts. State and local governments have separate systems, and subcontracting requirements can vary, so check the specific solicitation or ask the prime contractor.

Can I get a UEI without registering in SAM?

Yes. You can get a free UEI through SAM.gov without completing a full entity registration. However, a UEI alone is not enough to bid on a federal prime contract.

What is sam.gov?

SAM.gov is the federal government’s website for entity registration and other federal award information. Businesses can also use it to search federal contract opportunities.

What is SAM registration?

SAM registration is the process of submitting your business information to create a federal entity record. It includes more than obtaining a UEI and must be renewed every 365 days to stay active.