what is SAM registration Archives - SAM Registration, SAM.gov Registration

Want to work with the federal government? There are dozens of federal agencies and all of them offer government contracting jobs, but you cannot do business with the federal government without completing SAM registration. What does this entail? Is government contracting worth the effort? How can you make your company more attractive to procurement agents? Find answers to all these questions and more in our guide below.

What Is SAM Registration?

The System for Award Management (SAM) is the federal government’s official database for the entire procurement process, managed by the General Services Administration (GSA). SAM.gov consolidates various acquisition systems into one centralized site, aligning federal contractors, grantees, and vendors with government needs, ensuring transparency and fairness throughout the bidding and awarding stages.

Previously, organizations navigated multiple systems (ORCA, CCR.gov, etc), handling different components such as registration, bidding, and payment processing. The consolidation under SAM.gov simplifies these elements, facilitating smoother connections between government agencies and private entities. Federal agencies use the SAM database to verify vital information such as legal names, physical addresses, and financial details before awarding contracts or grants.

Is SAM Registration Required?

If you wish to bid on government contracting jobs for any federal agency, SAM registration is required. Additionally, if you run a nonprofit and plan to apply for federal grants, you will need to complete SAM registration.

Not only will you need to register with SAM, but you also must complete SAM registration renewal every year. Government agencies cannot work with companies that do not have an active SAM account. Many procurement agents won’t select companies if their registration is about to expire, so it is wise to renew your SAM account at least six weeks before its expiration date, as it can take time for your renewal to be approved.

Is SAM Registration Required For Subcontractors?

Subcontractors are not required to register with SAM, however, they do need a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI number. You will need to register for this number at SAM.gov.

Subcontracting is an excellent option for smaller companies that are just getting started with government contracting. Typically, it is a good idea for subcontractors to complete SAM registration as you may discover contracts you wish to bid on, and you won’t be able to bid as a prime contractor unless you have an active SAM account.

Is SAM Registration Free?

The government charges no fee for SAM registration, but the process is complicated and time-consuming, especially for newcomers to government contracting or those unfamiliar with federal norms or terms. Consequently, some businesses choose to employ a third-party service to handle their SAM registration.

Using a third-party service can simplify the process greatly. Our team of SAM registration experts will ensure all necessary steps are completed 100% accurately and as quickly as possible. Additionally, we can help with SAM renewal as we monitor all federal regulation changes, sparing you the hassle of deciphering new rules each year.

Additionally, we also will help you procure your UEI number, and we can help your company get signed up with the Small Business Administration, if applicable. We will link your SBA account to your new SAM account and can help determine which small business set-asides match your company.

Set-asides are special government contracts set aside specifically for small businesses, and these include programs such as HUBZone certification, Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOSB), Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), 8a certification and more.

What Documents Are Needed For SAM Registration?

To complete your SAM registration, we will need you to gather several important documents and information beforehand:

EIN/TIN (Employer Identification Number/Taxpayer Identification Number) – This is issued by the IRS and serves as your business’s tax ID.

Unique Entity Identifier – You will need to apply for this before SAM registration, but we can apply for you if you use our registration service. It can take up to 10 business days to receive your number.

Banking Information – You’ll need your business bank account information, including:

Bank routing number
Bank account number
Bank account type
Bank name and address
Contact person for electronic funds transfer

Business Information – We also will need additional details about your company including:

Legal business name and any DBA (“doing business as”) names
Physical address and mailing address
Business start date
State of incorporation
Company website
Number of employees
Annual revenue

NAICS Codes – The North American Industry Classification System codes that best represent your primary business activities. If you aren’t sure which NAICS codes are the best fit for your company, we can determine this for you.

Point of Contact Information – Names, titles, phone numbers, and email addresses for various points of contact:

Entity registration point of contact
Electronic business point of contact
Government business point of contact
Alternate points of contact

Once your registration is complete, the government will assign you a Commercial and Government Entity Code, or CAGE code. This code is a five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency to entities doing business with the federal government, serving as a unique identifier for your business in the procurement system.

We also will create a Marketing Partner Identification Number, or MPIN number, for you. While sharing your CAGE code is essential, you should never share your MPIN with anyone as this is a code used to access your SAM account, much like a password.

How Do I Find Contracting Opportunities?

The primary resource for finding federal government contracting opportunities is SAM.gov (System for Award Management). Here’s how to navigate this process effectively:

SAM.gov Contract Opportunities

The Contract Opportunities section on SAM.gov (formerly known as FedBizOpps or FBO) is the official source for federal procurement opportunities over $25,000. To use this resource:

Navigate to the “Contract Opportunities” section at SAM.gov
Use the search filters to narrow down opportunities by:

Agency/department
Location
NAICS code
Set-aside type (for small business certifications)
Dollar value
Solicitation type

Additional Sources for Opportunities

Beyond SAM.gov, consider these other valuable resources:

Agency websites: Many agencies post smaller opportunities (under $25,000) on their own websites
Small Business Administration (SBA): Provides resources specifically for small businesses
GSA Schedules: If you have a GSA Schedule contract, you can access opportunities through GSA eBuy
SubNet database: For subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors

Tips for Finding Relevant Opportunities

Set up saved searches and email alerts on SAM.gov for opportunities matching your criteria
Research agency procurement forecasts to anticipate upcoming opportunities
Network with agency small business specialists and procurement officers
Attend industry days, pre-solicitation conferences, and government contracting events
Consider working as a subcontractor to gain experience before pursuing prime contracts

Local and State Government Opportunities

For state, local, and municipal contracting opportunities:

Check individual state procurement websites
Look into county and city government procurement portals
Research special districts (transportation, water, etc.) that may have their own procurement systems

Regularly monitoring these resources and building relationships with contracting officers will help you identify the most relevant opportunities for your business.

Get Started With SAM Registration!

At Federal Contractor Registry, we can provide you with fast, accurate SAM registration services. Once we complete the process, you will be eligible to bid on federal contractor jobs, including DOD contracts, FEMA contractor jobs and much more. Contracting can serve as an excellent way to grow your business, so click here to get started with our registration process.

If you’ve been thinking about diving into the world of government contracting and researching the process, you may have noticed a lot of talk about SAM registration, CAGE codes and other government-speak. But what is SAM registration and why is it important? Let’s take a look at this process, which is one of the first steps you must take before becoming a government contractor.

The System For Award Management (SAM)

The System for Award Management (SAM) is a database that contains information about all government contractors. Government procurement agents, the people tasked with fulfilling government contracting jobs will use this database to research potential contractors.

No one can do business with the federal government without completing SAM registration, which is typically considered the first step to take if you want to become a government contractor. Once your listing is approved, you will receive your CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code, and every procurement agent will need to see this code to verify that you have an active SAM listing.

If your listing is not active (expired), the agency cannot do business with you. SAM registrations expire every year, so it is crucial that you remember to handle your SAM renewal in a timely fashion, and we recommend completing this task several months prior to the expiration date, as a nearing expiration date can be a red flag for some procurement agents or contracting officers, who might worry that your listing will expire before the contract is complete.

You can either complete SAM registration on your (the government does not charge you a fee to register with SAM) or you can hire a third party to complete your registration. This can be a much easier option for several reasons, including:

The SAM Registration Process Is Time-Consuming

The SAM application is long and completing each section can take several hours. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to spend 10 or more hours working on their SAM registration. It can simply be easier to just hire a pro and avoid this huge hassle.

SAM Registration Can Be Frustrating

The SAM registration is filled with confusing government-speak and it can be difficult for those without SAM-related experience to wade through the mire and figure out what everything means.

Mistakes Can Be Costly

If you make a mistake with your SAM registration, your listing will not be approved until you correct the mistake. This delays your ability to bid on government contracting jobs and you may miss out on some lucrative contract opportunities. Using a SAM expert can ensure that your SAM registration is handled quickly and accurately.

At Federal Contractor Registry, we handle hundreds of SAM registration each year and can complete your application quickly and 100% accurately, so that you will be approved as quickly as possible. We also will send you a reminder before your listing’s expiration date, and you can use our service for SAM renewals, as well as your initial registration. We also help with several other tasks, including:

The Unique Entity Identifier

In past years, business owners were asked to provide their Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number as part of SAM registration. This number has been phased out and the government assigns a number known as the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) to each business before they register with SAM. We can help you acquire this number, and you cannot proceed with SAM registration until you obtain your UEI.

The Notarized Letter Requirement

Every new SAM registrant must submit a notarized letter to the government listing the person in their business that is allowed to make changes to their SAM user account. This person is known as your Entity Administrator. We can help you with the template for this letter so that all you need to do is get it notarized and mail it in.

Small Business Administration (SBA) Registration

If you qualify as a small business, we can help you sign up with the SBA. The federal government sets aside a portion of all government contracts for small businesses, so it’s important to set up your SBA account and link this account to your SAM registration. The SBA also runs a database that lists subcontracting jobs, and working under a prime contractor can be a great way for a small business to get started with government contract jobs.

Should You Register With SAM?

Before completing SAM registration, we recommend first doing some research to discover if the type of goods and services you offer are in demand by government agencies. The easiest way to do this is to head to SAM.gov and click on the Contract Opportunities tab and then click on the Advanced Search option.

From there, we recommend using your North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes as these codes describe your goods and/or services. Once you are in the Advanced Search option, you can click on Product or Service Information, and enter your NAICS codes or your Product Service Codes (PSCs). Not sure which codes match your business? You can find them at Census.gov or we can find them for you when we complete your SAM registration.

If you find that several agencies seem to need your goods and services, chances are that government contracting can be a good option to consider. Contracting is not just about DOD contracts or disaster relief jobs, either. The federal government purchases a wide range of goods and services from the private sector. This includes security services, repair services, medical supplies, office supplies and much more.

While it can take time to learn how to apply for government contracting jobs, these can be quite lucrative and once you’ve earned your first contract, it tends to become easier to win additional contracts. Don’t forget to also apply for state-level government contracting jobs as these can be just as lucrative as the federal contracting jobs.

Contact Federal Contractor Registry Now

If you’ve been wondering what is SAM registration, we hope this article clears up some confusion. If you would like for us to complete your SAM registration or renewal, you can get started by heading to our homepage and either clicking on the green New Registration tab or the blue SAM renewal tab. Then simply fill out our quick contact form and we will be in touch shortly to gather some information and get started on your registration.

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