At Federal Contractor Registry, our job is to help businesses of all sizes complete their System for Award Management (SAM) registration and attain their SAM number. Some of our clients are simply renewing their SAM registration, but many are new to the world of government contracting and have many important questions. Here are a few facts that everyone should know if they wish to become a government contractor.
1. Your SAM Number & CAGE Code
As you delve into the world of government contracting, you soon will notice that everything is an acronym and this alphabet soup can become quite confusing. For instance, you might hear someone say that you need a SAM number or a CAGE code. When you complete SAM registration, you will be assigned two codes, one of which is the CAGE code (Commercial and Government Entity). This code is five characters and unique to your business. It’s basically your ID code, and government agencies will identify your business using this code. It’s a bit like a social security number for your business.
2. You May Need Multiple CAGE Codes
If your business includes more than one facility, then you will need multiple CAGE codes. Each location must have its own unique code, and each location must be registered separately with SAM. The CAGE code not only identifies a business, but also its location, so if you have one office in Baltimore and another in Annapolis, both of these businesses will have unique CAGE codes.
3. Your SAM Number & MPIN
While people may talk about their SAM number, there truly isn’t an identifier known as a SAM number. Upon completion of your SAM registration, you will receive your CAGE code as well as what is known as a Marketing Partner ID Number (MPIN). This will be nine characters and this is basically your password to access a variety of government applications and websites, such as FedBizOpps.gov. This website is an excellent resource for companies searching for federal contacting opportunities.
4. Gather Up Some Crucial Information
Before you can attain that SAM number, or rather your CAGE code and MPIN, you need to gather up some information. First, you need to jot down your tax ID number, which will be on any of your business tax forms and will be on record with your bank. You also need to head to the Dun & Bradstreet website and procure a DUNS number, which is yet another number that identifies your business. Registration with Dun & Bradstreet is free and can be completed fairly quickly. You also with need Electronic Funds Transfer information, which includes your bank’s ABA routing number and your account number. Be sure to jot down the phone or fax number of the bank, as well, as you will need to provide that as well.
5. Make Changes When Needed
If your business address changes or your phone number or email address, you need to update this information immediately with SAM as well as updating this contact information with Dun & Bradstreet. If the name of the contact person has changed, be sure to update this information as well. If your contact information is incorrect, you can miss out on many opportunities.
6. Renew Your SAM Registration Early
Every year, you have to complete SAM renewal, and many people wait until the last minute to complete this registration, but this can be a huge mistake. When government agencies or other contractors see that your SAM registration is about to expire, they may skip over your businesses. If your SAM registration expires, you no longer will be able to bid on contracts or work with the government or as a subcontractor. We recommend that you renew several months in advance so that your SAM registration stays current at all times.
7. We Can Make SAM Registration Easy
While the government does not charge companies a fee for attaining their “SAM number” or for SAM registration, they also don’t make it particularly easy to complete this registration process. In fact, it can take more than 15 hours to complete the entire application, and it’s quite complicated. That’s where we come in. At Federal Contractor Registry, we will complete the SAM registration process for you, freeing you from the frustration and the many hours it takes to complete this process. The government offers hundreds of contracting opportunities every year, and once you’ve completed SAM registration, you will be ready to bid as a contractor or subcontractor. Don’t wait another day, call us now and let’s get you started on the road to government contracting.