The Unique Entity Identifier, or UEI number, is a 12-character ID assigned to any organization or individual doing business with the United States federal government. This ID is used to track entities across all federal systems, including the System for Award Management (SAM). Let’s dive in and discuss some important facts about UEIs.
Who Needs A UEI Number?
If you fall into any of the following categories, you will need to attain this ID. Additionally, all of these individuals or organizations also will need to create a SAM.gov account.
- Federal Contractors
If you wish to bid on any federal contractor jobs, you must have a UEI, and you must complete your SAM.gov registration. During the SAM registration process, you can apply for a UEI. If you have previously completed SAM registration, the government already will have assigned you a UEI.
- Federal Grant Recipients
The U.S. government offers many different types of grants and financial assistance. For instance, if you are a college student, you might apply for federal grants, such as a Pell Grant, to fund your education. A small business might apply for a research and development grant. A preschool might apply for a Head Start grant to help it better serve people in its community. All of these individuals or groups will need a unique entity ID.
- Cooperative Agreement Partners
This is a bit more complex, but cooperative agreements are meant to support a specific public purpose with substantial federal government involvement. For instance, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) might study a coastal ecosystem, partnering with local scientists as well as bringing in federal scientists.
UEI Number& DUNS Number: Which Do You Need?
If you have been researching government contracting, you might be wondering if you need a DUNS number, a UEI number, or both. For many years, entities and individuals needed a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) code before they could register in SAM.
However, the necessity of a DUNS number was phased out several years ago and was replaced by the UEI. You will still hear people talk about needing a DUNS, but this is no longer required.
What About SAM Registration?
SAM.gov registrants are the only ones that can do legal business with the federal government. So, if you wish to bid on any federal government contracts, you must complete the SAM registration process, and we can help!
The government does not charge a fee for SAM registration or for attaining the UEI number, but the registration process is very complex and can take ten or more hours to complete. Many people hire a third-party registration service to complete the process, such as Federal Contractor Registry.
We handle hundreds of SAM registrations every year, and our team can complete your entity registration quickly and 100% accurately. It is very easy for those unfamiliar with SAM.gov to make mistakes, which delays your approval and your ability to bid on government contracting jobs.
Additionally, you must maintain an active registration to bid on government contracting jobs. If you need help renewing your registration, our team provides SAM renewal services, as well as initial registrations.
Our service includes applying for your UEI number, which is one of the first steps in the SAM registration process. In addition to completing your registration and getting your UEI, we also will help you with the SAM notarized letter requirement. All registrants must send the federal government a notarized letter listing their Entity Administrator, which is the person at your company authorized to make changes or update your SAM.gov account.
Additionally, if you are a small business owner, we can help you sign up with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and link your SBA account to your SAM account. The SBA offers grants, loans and helpful information for small business owners, and oversees the government’s subcontracting database, SUBNet. Becoming a subcontractor is a great option for anyone new to contracting, because the prime contractor handles all of the details while you learn the ropes.
The government also sets aside a portion of contracts just for small businesses, these are known as a small business set aside, or set-aside contracts. For instance, there are contracts set aside just for service-disabled, veteran-owned businesses, or SDVOSB. There are set asides for a woman-owned small business, or WOSB. These are just a few of the options, and our team can help determine which set asides best fit your situation and help you sign up for these programs.
What About The CAGE Code & MPIN Number?
Getting started with government contractor jobs includes learning a huge amount of “government-speak,” such as SAM and UEI and also CAGE codes and MPIN, not to mention things like Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and much more.
Once you complete SAM registration and are approved, the government will issue you a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. This is the code that procurement agents and prime contractors will use to look up information about your business in SAM. You will put this code on your website and your capability statement, so that it’s easy for government agencies and other contractors to research your company.
On the flip side, the Marketing Partner Identification Number, or MPIN, should never be shared with anyone. This is a code that you use to access and make changes to your SAM account, and it should always remain private. If anyone asks for your MPIN, do not provide it. It’s fine to provide you CAGE code, but not the MPIN.
Get Help With SAM & UEI
If you want to get started with federal contracting, we can help by completing your SAM registration, as well as obtaining your UEI number. We help companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 corporations to small and mid-size companies. To get started, just click on the green New Registration tab on our homepage.