SAM registration Archives - SAM Registration, SAM.gov Registration

9 Items You Need To Complete SAM Registration

September 19, 2024 fcr Leave a comment

If you want to become a government contractor, completing your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is a required first step. At Federal Contactor Registry, we handle SAM registration for hundreds of companies every year and we can provide you with reliable, fast and accurate registration services. Before we get started on your registration, however, there are a few pieces of information we will need to complete the process, including the following.

Your Legal Business Name

This may seem obvious, but some businesses use slightly different names for advertising purposes than the names registered with the federal government or state government or other entities. We need to know the official name of your entity as registered with state or local authorities.

Your Physical & Mailing Address

The government will not accept a P.O. Box as a physical address, so while you may receive mail at a separate location from your physical location, the government will need both of these addresses.

Your Taxpayer Identification Number

You will need to provide us with your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) or your Employer Identification Number (EIN). These are issued by the IRS and should be found easily enough on your tax forms.

Banking Information

The System for Award Management is not just a database filled with information about every federal contractor. It’s also the system used to pay those contractors, and as such, you will need to provide us with the name of your bank, its routing number, the account number and the account holder’s name. We also will need Electronic Funds Transfer information.

Your Unique Entity Identifier

This is a fairly new requirement. In the past, the government required entities to provide their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) numbers to complete SAM registration. That has been phased out, and the government now generates what is known as the Unique Entity Identifier, or UEI number. If you don’t already have this number, our team will procure it for you as part of our SAM registration services.

NAICS Codes

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a document that contains codes for every type of business or industry. Whether you provide computer repair services, janitorial services, office furniture, HVAC equipment or something else, there’s a code that describes that business. If you don’t know your codes, you can find them at Census.gov or we can determine which codes best match your business as we work on your U.S. federal contractor registration.

Business Details

In addition to your legal business name and addresses, we also will need to know the number of full-time and part-time employees as well as whether or not your business qualifies as a non-profit. We also will need information regarding your entity’s legal structure (corporation, LLC, etc.)

Contact Information

Of course, it’s essential to provide the name, title, phone number and email address of the main contact at your company who will serve as the liaison with government procurement agents. Typically, we ask for the main contact as well as any alternate points of contact.

Ownership & Control

We need to know the names of the owners, of course, but also whether or not the business is perhaps woman-owned, veteran-owned or perhaps minority-owned, as there are special certifications that might apply to your business and make it easier to attain government contract jobs.

Why Hire A Third Party?

While the government won’t charge you a fee to register in the System for Award Management, the process is arduous and can take 10, 12 or more hours to complete. We receive calls daily from folks who have reached their breaking point, frustrated with the confusing government-speak and uncertain if they are filling out the application correctly.

Hiring a professional SAM registration service takes the guesswork out of the process and saves you many hours. With our level of expertise, we also won’t make any mistakes. Mistakes can delay your approval and prevent you from being able to bid on lucrative contracts.

Additionally, we can help with several SAM-related tasks. As stated above, we can help you obtain your UEI number, and we also can help you get started with the SAM notarized letter requirement. This letter, which must be notarized and mailed to the Federal Service Desk, identifies your Entity Administrator. This is the individual at your company authorized to make changes to your SAM account.

We also will help you sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA offers grants, small business loans and other services for small business owners. However, when it comes to government contracting jobs, the SBA’s set-aside programs are one of this agency’s best offerings. The federal government sets aside a portion of all contracting dollars just for small businesses.

While general small businesses can bid on most contracts, there are also special small business set aside contract programs, including the 8 (a) Business Development program (a.ka. 8a certification), the Woman-Owned Small-Business (WOSB) set aside, the Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) set aside and HUBZone certification. We can determine which set-asides match your business, help you sign up with SBA and link your SBA account to your SAM account.

Ready to get started? Contracting can be a fantastic way to boost your profitability, and we can help by providing you with fast, accurate SAM registration services. To learn more head to our main SAM registration page or click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage.

Small Business Set Aside Contracts & SAM Registration

July 10, 2024 fcr Leave a comment

Navigating the world of government contracting can be daunting for small businesses, but Small Business Set Aside Contracts offer a unique opportunity to level the playing field. These contracts are specifically reserved for small businesses, ensuring they have a fair shot at winning government projects and fostering growth.

Understanding the essentials of these set-asides can open doors to new revenue streams and long-term success. Here’s what you need to know to get started and how we can help you take your first steps as a government contractor.

What Is A Small Business Set Aside?

The United States federal government purchases all of its goods and services from the private sector via government contracts. Every year, billions of dollars in government contracting jobs are awarded to businesses of all sizes. However, some fed contracts are set aside specifically for small businesses, and these are known as small business set aside contracts, or, more informally, simply as set-asides.

Types Of Small Business Set Aside Contracts

The Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal agency tasked with managing all set-aside contracting programs. There are set-asides available for general small businesses that meet SBA size standards, but there are also some very specific set-aside programs, including:

Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program

For this program, you must first qualify as a small business according to SBA size standards. Additionally, your company must be 51% (or more) owned by a woman who is a U.S. citizen. About 5% of all contracting dollars are dedicated to the WOSB program.

The woman or women who own the business also must manage the day-to-day operations and be able to make long-term decisions for the company. This is to prevent a scenario such as a husband who runs a business and handles the day-to-day, from simply signing over 51% to his wife to become eligible for small business set aside contracts.

This program also includes a subset known as the Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) Program. For this program, you must meet all of the WOSB requirements and also be owned or controlled by a woman (or women) who each have a personal net worth of less than $850,000. You also cannot have more than $6.5 million in assets or an adjusted gross income of more than $400,000 over the course of the three years before signing up for the EDWOSB program.

Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) Program

As the name suggests, this program was created to boost the profitability of businesses at least 51% owned and operated by veterans who are disabled due to injuries incurred while serving their country. About 3% of all contracting dollars are dedicated to participants in the SDVOSB program.

HUBZone Program

If your business is located in a Historically Underutilized Business Zone – HUBZone, you may be able to participate in this small business program. HUBZones are found throughout the country. For instance, many small rural communities are in HUBZones, as well as historically impoverished urban neighborhoods. About 3% of all federal contracting dollars are set aside for HUBZone participants.

Native American lands are all HUBZones. Areas that have been damaged severely due to a natural disaster also sometimes qualify for several years as HUBZones as the government seeks to try and rebuild the area. If your business is located in a HUBZone and the majority of your employees also live in HUBZones, you may be eligible for HUBZone certification.

Small Disadvantaged Business

While a general small business may qualify for some set-aside contracts, there is also a designation for a small, disadvantaged business. This is a business that is 51% or more owned by an individual or individuals that is part of a historically disadvantaged group. This could be a historically socially disadvantaged person or historically economically disadvantaged.

According to the federal government, socially disadvantaged individuals are “those who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. The social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control.”

8(a) Business Development Program

This is yet another small business program managed by the SBA. The 8(a) Business Development Program is a federal initiative designed to help small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace and access the economic mainstream. Here are the key points about the program:

The program is open to small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. These individuals must also demonstrate good character and potential for success.

Program Benefits:

Mentorship: Access to a mentor-protégé program where more experienced companies provide guidance.
Sole-Source Contracts: Eligibility for certain federal contracts without competitive bidding.
Business Development Assistance: Training, technical assistance, and other resources to help businesses grow.
Networking Opportunities: Connections to procurement and marketing leads, as well as networking events.
Duration: The program is designed to last for nine years, divided into a four-year developmental stage and a five-year transition stage.
Support Services: Assistance with developing a business plan, marketing assistance, and training in various business areas.

Does Your Business Meet SBA Size Standards?

When we think of small businesses, we often think of storefronts with just a handful of employees, but many larger businesses will qualify as small by SBA standards. Even if you have dozens of employees, you may be considered a small business. You can check to see if your business meets the small business size standard here at https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/index.html.

Keep in mind, that to check your company’s eligibility, you will need to use your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. These codes describe the goods and services that your company can provide. You can find your codes by searching the NAICS handbook at Census.gov.

All Contractors Must Complete SAM Registration

Whether you have one employee or hundreds, any business owner who wishes to bid on government contractor jobs must first complete their registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). This is the central database that lists all government contracts, and you must have an active SAM account to be eligible for government contracting.

If you want to do business with the federal government, SAM registration is the first step. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the most difficult and time-consuming steps you have to take. The government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, but it can take 10 or more hours to complete and it’s a complicated process filled with government-speak.

Many business owners simply hire a third-party SAM registration service to complete the process for them, just as you would hire an accountant to handle your taxes. At Federal Contractor Registry, we can provide you with expert SAM registration and SAM renewal services, and our fee includes many additional items that other registration services do not provide, including:

100% Accurate SAM Registration
We help you procure the new SAM Unique Entity Identifier, or UEI number
We can help with the SAM notarized letter requirement
We can help you with SBA registration (and determine which small business set aside matches your business)
We introduce Super 8a Contractors to other Federal Contractors in our Network

Get Started With Government Contracting!

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can help you with fast and accurate SAM registration as well as help you sign up with the SBA. Our SAM registration experts can determine which small business set aside applies to your business and get you started on your path toward bidding on and winning government contracting jobs. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form.

CAGE Code Registration & Compliance: What You Need To Know

March 6, 2024 fcr Leave a comment

Thousands of government contracting jobs are created each year to provide federal agencies with the goods and services they need. In order to grab your piece of the contracting pie, so to speak, you must ensure that your company complies with all regulations regarding contractors, and you must complete your CAGE Code registration.

The world of government contracting can be difficult for new contractors to understand. At Federal Contractor Registry, we can help you with the registration process as well as help you understand some of the basics of contracting, including the following:

What Is CAGE Code Registration?

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the central database for everything that has to do with government contracting. All contractors must maintain an active SAM account to do business with the federal government. This registration process is sometimes called CAGE code registration, but its proper name is SAM registration.

Once you’ve completed SAM registration and the registration is approved by the federal government, you will receive what is known as a CAGE code. This stands for Commercial and Government Entity Code. It is a unique identifier given to each government contractor. When you bid on any government contracts, your CAGE code will be one of the pieces of information you will need to provide to the government.

The government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, and both Americans and foreign entities can register in the System for Award Management. While it’s free to apply, the registration process is difficult and can take 10 or more hours to complete.

Many business owners will hire a third-party entity registration service to complete the process, such as Federal Contractor Registry. While we do charge a fee for this process, we handle hundreds of registrations every year and can complete your registration quickly and 100% accurately.

We also help first-time registrants with steps such as completing the notarized letter requirement and the acquisition of the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). For the letter, we can provide you with a template and you simply need to fill out the template, have the letter notarized and mail it to the Federal Service Desk.

The UEI number is a new requirement. In the past, companies were asked to provide their DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number, but this has been phased out. New registrants need to apply for their UEI, and we can handle this task for you as part of our SAM registration services.

What Do I Need To Know About Compliance?

Government contractors are subject to a wide range of compliance requirements that can vary significantly depending on the type of contract, the agency issuing the contract, and the specific goods or services being provided.

Compliance is crucial not only for winning contracts but also for maintaining good standing and eligibility for future opportunities. Here’s an overview of the primary types of compliance required by government contractors:

Regulatory Compliance

Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): The primary set of rules in the Federal Acquisition Regulation System, which governs the acquisition process by which agencies of the federal government of the United States acquire goods and services. FAR applies to most contracts and requires contractors to follow specific procedures and standards.

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS): Additional requirements that apply to contractors working with the Department of Defense (DoD). DFARS includes provisions related to cybersecurity, the protection of classified information, and more.

Keep in mind, that you can bid on DOD contracts where high security is not an issue and not all DOD contractors have to worry about protecting classified information, etc. For instance, if the DOD puts out a request for a company that can provide copy paper or office furniture, security typically isn’t a huge concern.

Legal Compliance

Employment Laws: Contractors must comply with federal employment laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

Ethics and Conduct: Adherence to ethical business practices is mandatory, including conflict-of-interest policies and rules against bribery and corruption.

Financial Compliance

Cost Accounting Standards (CAS): Applicable to certain contracts, these standards dictate how costs should be estimated, accumulated, and reported.

Truth in Negotiations Act (TINA): Requires contractors to provide cost or pricing data for contracts exceeding a certain threshold and certifies that the data is accurate, complete, and current.

Security Compliance

National Industrial Security Program (NISP): If accessing classified information, contractors must comply with NISP requirements to safeguard this information.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): DOD contractors must meet CMMC requirements to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within their network systems. Again, this is only for contractors where security is an issue. If you are providing something such as basic office supplies to the DOD, this likely won’t be an issue.

Environmental Compliance

Environmental Regulations: Contractors must adhere to federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations, including waste disposal, air quality standards, and water pollution control.

Socioeconomic Compliance

Small Business Subcontracting: Large contractors must make efforts to subcontract a portion of their work to small businesses, including those owned by minorities, women, veterans, and economically disadvantaged individuals.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action: Contractors must ensure equal employment opportunities and may need to implement affirmative action plans.

Quality Assurance Compliance

ISO 9001: While not always mandatory, many government contracts require contractors to have ISO 9001 certification, which demonstrates compliance with quality management principles. If this is required, it should appear in the contract set forth by the federal agency’s procurement agents.

Maintaining compliance in these areas is critical for government contractors. Non-compliance can result in penalties, including fines, suspension, debarment from future contracts, and criminal liability in severe cases. Contractors should have robust compliance programs in place to ensure they meet all necessary requirements.

In many cases, your company is likely already in compliance with most of these regulations. To ensure that you are a good fit for a specific contract, it will be imperative to read the contract and the requirements set forth therein as carefully as possible.

Furthermore, if you are a small business, you may likely qualify for set-aside contracts. A portion of all federal contracts are “set aside” specifically for small businesses. Some contracts are set aside for general small businesses, while others are set aside for businesses majority-owned by women, veterans or people who belong to a historically disenfranchised group.

The team at Federal Contractor Registry can determine which set-asides might fit your business and help you sign up for these programs, which are run by the Small Business Administration (SBA). We can help you set up your SBA account and then we will link it to your SAM account, as well. This step is included in our SAM registration fee.

Should I Become A Federal Contractor?

In general, the first step you need to take is to determine if there is a market for your goods and services. To do this, you can go to SAM.gov and click on the Contract Opportunities tab. From there, click on Advanced Search. In the drop-down menu, you can search by Product or Service Information. We recommend using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for this search.

NAICS codes describe the type of goods or services a company provides, and once you enter your codes, this should generate government contracting results. If you see multiple contracts that your company could fulfill, chances are you could find government contracting to be a profitable endeavor.

While bidding on federal contracting jobs can seem like a daunting task, once you have gone through the process a few times, it does become easier. It can take a year or more to win your first contract, so it’s important to be patient and keep trying.

Once you earn that first contract, earning additional contracts can be easier simply because you are building a government resume. Additionally, we recommend that you also look for state and county government contractor jobs, as these can be quite profitable, as well.

Take The First Step & Get Your CAGE Code

If you want to bid on contracts and would like the team at Federal Contractor Registry to complete your SAM registration/CAGE code registration, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage. We will quickly and accurately complete your registration, as well as help you with SBA registration, so that you can start bidding on government contracts as soon as possible.

SDVOSB Certification & SAM Registration: We Can Help

August 14, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

If you are a service-disabled veteran that owns a small business, you may be eligible for the SDVOSB certification program. Participation in this program can make it easier to win government contracts, and there are several other benefits, as well. Let’s take a quick look at SDVOSB certification and how it can help your business.

What Is SDVOSB Certification?

SDVOSB stands for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. The SDVOSB certification is part of a program established by the US federal government to help service-disabled veteran business owners gain access to exclusive contracting opportunities.

This certification provides various benefits that can make it attractive for eligible businesses to apply. This program used to be handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but it is now consolidated within the Small Business Administration along with other small business programs. Here are some reasons why you might want to consider SDVOSB certification:

Exclusive Contracting Opportunities

A significant portion of federal contracting dollars is set aside specifically for businesses that have SDVOSB certification. Federal agencies have a goal to award at least 3% of all federal contracting dollars to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and other types of small businesses. This translates to billions of dollars in potential contracts that are exclusively available to SDVOSB-certified businesses.

These special contracts are known as set-aside contracts, because they are set aside specifically for small businesses. Even if you don’t qualify as a SDVOSB, there are set asides for veteran-owned small businesses (VOSB), woman-owned small businesses (WOSB), HUBZone certifications, 8a certification and more. The team at Federal Contractor Registry can help determine which designations are the best fit for your business.

Competitive Advantage

Being SDVOSB-certified provides a competitive advantage when seeking federal contracts. If your business competes for a contract against businesses that do not have SDVOSB certification, your certification might make a difference in winning the contract.

Sole Source Contracts

In some cases, federal agencies can award sole source contracts to SDVOSB businesses. This means that the contract can be awarded without a competitive bidding process, which can be a significant advantage for SDVOSB-certified businesses.

Public Image & Corporate Responsibility

Being recognized as a service-disabled veteran-owned business can enhance your company’s public image. Many consumers and businesses prefer to do business with companies that support veterans and being SDVOSB-certified is a clear way to demonstrate this support. It also can demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility.

Access to Resources & Support

SDVOSB-certified businesses can also gain access to resources and support, including business training, counseling, and financial assistance, through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) network of Veteran Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs).

To apply for SDVOSB certification, a business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans. The certification process involves an evaluation of the business and its owners to verify eligibility.

The process of obtaining SDVOSB certification can be rigorous, but the potential benefits in terms of exclusive contracting opportunities, competitive advantages, and access to resources and support make it a worthwhile consideration for any service-disabled veteran-owned small business. While it can be tricky to get certified, the team at Federal Contractor Registry can help, and that’s not the only service we provide.

SDVOSB Certification & SAM Registration Assistance

If you wish to bid on any federal contractor jobs, you must register with the System for Award Management (SAM). This is the central database for all government contractors. Even if you’ve already received your SDVOSB certification, if you want to do business with the federal government, you still must complete SAM registration.

SAM.gov Registration: Fast & Accurate Services

March 21, 2023 fcr Leave a comment

If you want to bid on lucrative federal contractor jobs, completing your SAM.gov registration is required. The government doesn’t charge a fee to register, but many people opt to hire a third-party registration service. Why would you hire us instead of doing it on your own? There are several compelling reasons.

We Complete SAM.gov Registration Quickly & Accurately

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the database that includes information for all government contractors. You cannot bid on government contractor jobs unless you complete SAM.gov registration, gain approval and receive your Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. The CAGE code is the unique identifier that all government agencies will ask for when you bid on contracts.

We handled hundreds of SAM registrations every year and the main reason that people hire us is that we can save you time and frustration. SAM registration may be free if you do it yourself, but it’s far from easy and can take 10 or more hours to complete. If you make mistakes, this will delay your approval and you will have to keep submitting your registration until the mistakes are corrected.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we will complete your SAM registration quickly and 100% accurately, which will speed up your approval time. Once you are approved, you will be eligible to bid on government contracting jobs.

We Can Help With Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

In the past, part of SAM.gov registration included providing the government with your Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number. This SAM DUNS number requirement has been phased out and the government now asks for a Unique Entity Identifier.

To get your UEI, which is a SAM requirement, you have to take a couple of steps, including filling out an application. As part of our SAM registration services, we will complete this process for you so that you can avoid this hassle.

We’ll Help You Prepare The Notarized Letter

All new SAM registrants must complete a notarized letter and send this letter to the Federal Service Desk (FSD), the agency that runs SAM. This letter identifies your company’s Entity Administrator, which is just the person authorized to make changes to your SAM account. We can provide you with a template for this letter and ensure that you have filled it out correctly, then you just need to get it notarized and send it to the FSD.

We Help You Sign Up With SBA

Did you know that more than 27% of all government contracts went to small businesses om 2021? That equates to more than $154 billion in federal contracting money. If your business qualifies as a small business, this will allow you to bid on special “set-aside” contracts. These are contracts set aside specifically for small businesses, but you must register with the SBA, and we can help.

Our team will determine which set-asides match your business and help you register with SBA as well as link your SAM registration to your SBA account. While general small businesses qualify, there are also several very specific set-asides including the Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) set aside and the Economically-Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) set aside.

For these two set-asides, your company must be 51% owned and operated by a woman or women. For the EDWOSB set aside, you must be 51% owned by one or more women that would be considered economically disadvantaged and this means that the woman or women must have a personal net worth of less than $850,000 (per person) and less than $6.5 million in personal assets. Your adjusted gross income also must be $450,000 or less per year (they will look at an average income over the last three years).

Other set-asides include Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (VOSB) and Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). This set aside used to be handled by the Department of Veterans Affairs, but the verification is now handled by SBA.

The SBA also runs several other set-aside programs for small businesses, including the HUBZone program and the 8(a) Business Development Program. We can determine which set-asides you qualify for, whether it be WOSB, VOSB, HUBZone or perhaps 8a certification or something else.

SAM Renewal Services

In order to do business with the federal government, you must always have an active SAM registration. Your SAM registration is active for 12 months, and then it must be renewed. We recommend that you renew several months in advance because some agencies won’t grant federal awards to companies if their entity registrations are about to expire.

SAM renewals tend to be easier than the initial registration process and you don’t have to send in the notarized letter or sign up again with SBA. Still, if you are making any changes to your account, it can be challenging. In addition to your initial SAM contractor registration, we also can handle your SAM renewal process if you want. As a side, note, if you have an active user account currently, you also don’t have to worry about the UEI as that was assigned automatically to anyone with an active SAM account.

Get Started Today!

If you are interested in becoming a government contractor, we can help with your SAM.gov registration as well as your SBA registration and we can even introduce Super 8a contractors to other contractors in our Federal Contractor Registry network. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage and fill out our quick contact form.