Category: SAM Registration

Our government is like a big pot of alphabet soup, and if you are getting ready to bid on government contracts, you probably hear acronyms such as SAM, MPIN, CAGE, FBO and DUNS tossed around. It can be confusing to understand what these all mean and how they affect you as a government contractor, but we can help you break it all down in a few helpful steps.

1. It all begins with SAM
SAM stands for System for Award Management. This is essentially a huge database that includes all of the vendors that work with the federal government, as well as people who are seeking grants and those providing grants. If you are interested in government contracting, you need to complete SAM registration and then you can be listed in this database as a vendor. Before SAM, there were multiple databases where vendors registered, but SAM makes it easy for Federal agencies to find vendors in one centralized location.

2. For SAM, You Need DUNS (and EIN)
Ah, the complexity. We could just explain the facts about an MPIN number, but it makes more sense in context. All contractors must complete SAM registration, which is what Federal Contractor Registry can accomplish for you. However, before you register for SAM, you need to acquire a DUNS (Dun & Bradstreet Number). This is a unique 9-digit number that identifies your business’s physical location. If your business includes multiple physical locations, you will need a DUNS for each location. Applying for a DUNS is free and registration takes just a few minutes. Once you have this number, you can come to us for SAM registration. We also will need your business’s Employer Identification Number, which is known as an EIN, and it should be located on any tax return you have filed and it your bank also will have it on hand, as the EIN is required to open a business bank account.

3. After SAM, You Receive Your MPIN Number
MPIN stands for Marketing Partner ID Number. After you complete SAM registration, you receive this number, and this is the password you will use to log in to various government databases, such as FBO.gov. This website is part of the General Services Administration, and you can find many contractor jobs on this website from agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Department of the Navy, the Department of Transportation and so on.

4. MPIN & CAGE: Are they Similar?
Once you’ve completed SAM registration, you receive both a MPIN number and a CAGE code. While the MPIN is what you use to log in to various government websites, the CAGE code is the code that identifies your business. An official in any government agency can look up your business or you as an individual using this code.

It is important to note that your SAM registration needs to be renewed every year. We can help you with your initial SAM registration, which is a lengthy process, as well as helping with SAM renewals. After a renewal, your CAGE code and your MPIN number will not change. However, if your SAM registration has not been renewed, you will not be able to access government websites nor will you be able to bid on government contracts.

While the MPIN number, CAGE code, SAM registration and so on might seem complicated, we make it easy as possible for you to become a government contractor. The process of filling out SAM registration is complicated and very time-consuming, and many of our clients tell us that until they found our service, they had just about given up on the idea of government contracting. However, there are so many opportunities available, and once you deal with SAM registration, you can get started with the bidding process. Let us help you jump over the SAM hurdle and get started with government contracting.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), an agency of the Department of Homeland Security, is tasked with disaster response coordination. In order to provide these services, there are many FEMA contractor jobs available throughout the course of the year. At Federal Contractor Registry, we can help contractors get started with FEMA contracting and also can provide some general information about FEMA and its history.

Register to Become a FEMA Contractor

1. FEMA Is A Relatively New Agency
Until the 1970s, disaster response and relief typically was handled on a case-by-case basis and many agencies within the government would respond to a disaster, which often led to confusion as to which agency was handling which task. There was no official organization to coordinate disaster response until 1973, when the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration was created, and this agency was part of the Department of Housing & Urban Development.

In 1979, President Carter became increasingly pressured by governors of multiple states to create a stronger, more centralized agency to assist with disaster response and, thus, FEMA was established. This caused a major reorganize of various disaster-related agencies within the government, and agencies such as the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration and others merged into FEMA.

2. FEMA Has Its Ups & Downs
During its first decade, FEMA assisted with few large-scale disasters, and was plagued with bureaucratic problems. Even applying for FEMA contractor jobs was a more difficult process, and the agency was criticized heavily by the press. This was particularly an issue during Hurricane Andrew in 1995 when it took FEMA about five days to send in federal assistance, despite thousands of citizens being without power as well as without access to food and water.

After Hurricane Andrew, FEMA was reformed and a new director, James Lee Witt, was brought in to streamline this agency. Witt previously served as the director of the Arkansas Office of Emergency Service, so his previous disaster-response experience helped him create a FEMA that was more efficient and better able to respond quickly to disasters throughout the United States and its territories.

3. FEMA Continues To Evolve & Change
When FEMA was formed, it was an independent government agency. In fact, the director of FEMA was a cabinet post during the Clinton years. After September 11, 2001, however, FEMA was moved into the Department of Homeland Security. After Hurricane Katrina, FEMA was again reorganized and some preparedness functions were removed from its charge, including the Office of Infrastructure Protection, the National Communications System, National Cybersecurity Division and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer.

4. FEMA Declarations Are Complex
When a disaster occurs, FEMA doesn’t just automatically step in, provide disaster relief and start handing out FEMA contractor jobs. The governor of the affected state must first make an official request to their regional FEMA office. Usually before this occurs, officials conduct what is known as a PDA, or preliminary damage assessment, to gauge the level of the disaster and its severity. From there, the President will then declare that a major disaster or a crucial emergency exists and, at this point, FEMA can be activated and begin to assist with relief and support.

5. FEMA Contractor Jobs Are Prevalent
Despite reforms, it still can be difficult for FEMA to provide assistance after a large-scale disaster. Often, this is simply because they need more contractors to help with clean-up, repairs, engineering tasks and more. While there are many FEMA contractor jobs available, many companies and individuals mistakenly believe that bidding on FEMA contractor jobs is too difficult or complicated. However, once you have registered as a government contractor, it can be fairly easy to bid on, and ultimately receive, a federal contracting job.

If you are interested in bidding on FEMA contractor jobs, the first step is to complete your System for Award Management registration, or SAM registration. This is where we come in. SAM registration is a complicated process that can take as many as 15 hours (or more) to complete, but we can handle the entire process for your, ensuring that registration is handled properly and as quickly as possible. Once you have completed SAM registration, you will be able to bid on those lucrative FEMA contractor jobs. If you are ready to get started, just give us a call at any time and we will begin the process.

This year has been a rough one for the United States, with multiple disasters including Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Maria and the many California wildfires, just to name a few. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was created to help local and state governments respond to a disaster and to help with disaster recovery.

Register to Become a FEMA Contractor

While disasters take a huge toll on American families, these disasters also provide some opportunities for contactors. If you are interested in learning more about FEMA contractors and becoming a part FEMA disaster recovery, read on as we explain a few helpful facts.

1. FEMA Contractors Are Needed
Anytime a governor declares a state of emergency, the governor then has the option of formally requesting the president to have FEMA step in and help out with disaster response and relief. This happens multiple times throughout each year, such as with Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Harvey. While hurricane season has ended, repairing the damage caused by these tremendous storms barely has begun. Likewise, cleaning up after the many California wildfires also is just in the beginning stages. In addition, there have been several other notable FEMA-declared disaster areas around the country in 2017. This includes disasters related to flooding in Idaho, West Virginia, Michigan, New Hampshire and Oregon. FEMA contractors are needed to respond to all of these disasters.

For instance, clean-up crews are needed, and there are thousands of homes, apartment complexes and businesses that need repairs. FEMA also often needs civil engineers, construction specialists and even security guards. FEMA contractors are in short supply, so we encourage you to complete all the paperwork necessary to become FEMA contractors and take advantage of these lucrative and helpful jobs.

2. Compile Some Basic Information
Before people or companies become FEMA contractors, you have to have a few important items in place. The first is to know your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), which is easy to find on your tax forms. Secondly, you need to contact Dun & Bradstreet and apply for a DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number. This is free and takes just a few minutes to complete. Once you have your TIN & DUNS handy, you can apply to become FEMA contractors.

3. Let Us Complete Your SAM Registration
SAM stands for System for Award Management, and this is basically a database that includes pertinent information about each company that is interested in being FEMA contractors or government contractors or vendors. When you apply for SAM, you will receive what is known as a CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code, and this is the identifier that every government agency will use to find information about your company.

While you can apply for SAM registration on your own, completing the application can take more than 15 hours. Not only is the application lengthy, it’s fairly complicated and confusing. We hear from people all of the time that want to be FEMA contractors but were overwhelmed by the SAM registration process. This is where we come in. Once you have your DUNS and TIN, just give us a call and hire us to complete your SAM Registration. Over the years, we have helped thousands of individuals and companies complete SAM Registration. Once your application is complete and approved by the government, you will be ready to bid on FEMA contracts.