If you have a registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and you are steadily approaching its expiration date, it’s time to think about SAM renewal. Here are some facts you need to know before you get started with this process.
- SAM Registration Expires Every Year
Your SAM account is active for 365 days from the time of your initial registration. Many people mistakenly assume that this account never expires or that renewal is automatic. SAM.gov will send out email reminders ahead of your expiration date, but you would be surprised how many times these messages are skipped over or end up in your spam folder. It is smart to set a calendar alert to remind you that your registration is expiring.
- Start Your SAM Renewal Early
Your SAM registration expires every year, and if you let it expire without handling your renewal, you will no longer be eligible to bid on any government contracts. Likewise, if you are in the middle of a contract and the registration expires, this could lead to payment delays.
We recommend beginning the renewal process a month or more ahead of the expiration date. There are two reasons for this. One, you have no idea how long it will take for the government to review your renewal and approve it.
Sometimes, this process is completed within a few business days, but if the agency is swamped with registrations and renewals, this can cause a delay, which could lead to your registration expiring and prohibit you from bidding on any federal contractor jobs.
Additionally, if there is a backlog of renewal and registration applications, and you are delayed, or you are bidding on contracts and the contracting officials see that your registration is expiring soon, they may put your company at the bottom of the pile. A swiftly approaching expiration is a red flag to procurement agents because they cannot do business with any entity that does not have an active SAM registration. Renewing early ensures that your listing stays active.
- Look Over Your Contact Information Carefully
At Federal Contractor Registry, our team handles hundreds of SAM registrations and SAM renewals every year. Some of the most common mistakes we encounter with renewals are a lack of current or correct contact information.
An incorrect digit in a phone number or a missing letter in an email address are common errors, and they can prevent you from winning a contract simply because the contracting officers cannot contact you. It is crucial that you look over this information carefully and update it if anything has changed.
- Don’t Rush Through The Renewal
Many people think SAM renewal is just checking a few boxes or filling out a few questions, but it can be almost as involved a process as your initial SAM registration. As you gained experience in the federal marketplace during your first year as a contractor, you may need to update your profile accordingly.
For instance, perhaps you bypassed certain certifications on your initial registration. Many small business owners often forget to consider that they may qualify for small business set aside programs, such as WOSB (Woman-Owned Small Business) certification, VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business) certification, or HUBZone certification.
The federal government sets aside certain government contracting jobs just for small business owners, but you do need to sign up with the Small Business Administration and apply for these programs. You then need to make sure that these certifications are listed in your SAM profile.
Additionally, perhaps your business has added some capabilities or certifications. These should be listed in your SAM profile. You may even need to update or add new North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes to your profile.
Too often, business owners don’t optimize their SAM profile as much as they should. Federal procurement agents and prime contractors study these listings carefully, so you should include as much information as possible to truly make your business stand out from the pack.
- Hiring a Pro Can Be a Smart Move
SAM registration and renewal can be a complicated and time-consuming endeavor. If you make any mistakes, this can delay your approval by the Federal Service Desk, the agency that oversees the System for Award Management.
A SAM renewal expert can update any changes you need to make, as well as review your current listing to identify any errors or any missing information. They also can identify any relevant listings or programs you might want to explore.
This might include the aforementioned SBA certifications or perhaps you want to be included on the Disaster Response Registry, which is a registry of businesses that offer goods and services that might be needed after a natural disaster.
SAM experts understand all the complexities of SAM registration, and they are up to date with any changes to Federal Acquisition Regulations. They can ensure that your profile truly showcases your abilities and qualifications.
Federal Contractor Registry: Fast & Accurate SAM Renewal
Whether you need your initial SAM registration completed or need SAM renewal services, the team at FCR is here to help. In addition to providing fast SAM renewal services, we also can help you sign up with the SBA if you missed out on that opportunity during your initial registration. To get started, simply head to our homepage and click on the blue “Renew Registration” tab.