Did you know that more than 50,000 small businesses received government contract jobs in 2022, and these contracts were worth more than $150 billion? Government contracting can be a lucrative option for any size business, but businesses cannot work with the federal government without CAGE codes.
What Is A CAGE Code?
A Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code is a unique identifier that the government assigns to all government contractors. In order to get your CAGE code, you must complete your System for Award Management (SAM) registration. The System for Award Management is the central database that includes information about all government contractors.
Federal Contractor Registry Can Help!
SAM registration must be completed and approved to be assigned a CAGE code. The government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, but the process can take 10 or more hours to complete. The application is complex and filled with government-speak that can be difficult to understand.
Because the application is complicated and any mistakes can delay a company’s SAM approval, many people opt to hire a third-party SAM registration service. The team at Federal Contractor Registry can quickly and accurately complete your SAM registration. While hiring a SAM registration service is an extra expense, there are several reasons to consider this option.
- Expertise and Experience: Hiring a professional to handle your System for Award Management (SAM) registration ensures that the process is completed accurately and efficiently. They have the necessary knowledge and experience to navigate the complex registration process, minimizing the risk of errors or delays.
- Time Savings: The SAM registration process can be time-consuming, especially for those unfamiliar with the system. Hiring someone to manage your registration allows you to focus on your core business activities, saving valuable time and resources.
- Compliance Assurance: A professional specializing in SAM registration will ensure that your business meets all the required criteria and complies with the relevant regulations. This reduces the risk of non-compliance, which could lead to penalties, fines, or even disqualification from government contracting opportunities.
- Additional Services: At Federal Contractor Registry, we not only provide customers with 100% accurate SAM registration and SAM renewal services, but we have several other value-added features.
We can help you with the notarized letter requirement for SAM registration. All new registrants are required to submit a notarized letter to the Federal Service Desk (FSD) identifying their SAM entity administrator.
This is the person allowed to make any changes to your SAM account. This letter can be confusing, but we can ensure that you have completed the letter correctly, so all you will need to do is have it notarized and mail it to the FSD.
We also can help you with the new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). This is a special code that is assigned to your business and will be listed in your SAM account. The UEI has replaced the Data Universal Number System (DUNS) number. You must apply for the UEI before beginning SAM registration, but we can help.
If you own a small business, we also can help you sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA has many programs that help a small business owner find success as a federal contractor.
For instance, if your business qualifies as a Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB), Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) or another specific type of small business, you may be eligible to bid on special fed contracts that are set aside specifically for small businesses.
Additionally, at FCR, we have many years of experience working with Super 8(a) businesses. These are companies or firms owned by Alaskan Native Corporations (ANCs), Native Hawaiian Organizations (NHOs) or Native American tribes. We are happy to introduce Super 8(a) company representatives to other federal contractors in the FCR network.
How CAGE Codes Benefit Businesses
While a CAGE code is required in order to bid on government contracting jobs, there are several other reasons to consider completing SAM registration and getting your code, including:
Enhanced Credibility: Having a CAGE code demonstrates that your business is legitimate, reliable, and capable of meeting the government’s strict requirements, increasing your credibility in the eyes of potential clients.
Compliance with Federal Regulations: Acquiring a CAGE code ensures that your business complies with federal regulations, such as the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
Increased Visibility: CAGE codes make it easier for government agencies and prime contractors to find and evaluate potential suppliers, increasing your business’s visibility in the procurement process.
Efficient Business Verification: A CAGE code serves as a quick reference for government agencies to verify your business’s legal name, physical address, and other essential information.
Secure Data Exchange: CAGE codes play a crucial role in safeguarding sensitive information exchanged between businesses and government agencies, ensuring that both parties maintain a high level of security.
Improved Tracking and Reporting: CAGE codes enable more accurate tracking and reporting of procurement activities, allowing for better analysis and decision-making by government agencies.
Simplified Payment Process: CAGE codes help facilitate the payment process by providing a standardized identifier that government agencies can use to quickly and accurately process invoices.
Networking Opportunities: Businesses with CAGE codes are more likely to be invited to industry events, conferences, and training programs, providing valuable networking opportunities to expand their reach and form strategic partnerships.
Maintaining CAGE Codes
While the CAGE code assigned to you will always be associated with your company, you do have to renew your SAM registration every year to keep your account active. Without an active account, you cannot do business with any federal agencies and cannot bid on government contractor jobs.
We recommend completing your SAM renewal several months before the expiration date as it can take some time to have your account approved for renewal. Again, we can help you with SAM renewals as well as SAM registrations.
Need CAGE Codes? Contact Us Today!
If you want to bid on government contract jobs, we can complete your SAM registration as quickly as possible. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form.