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SAM.gov registration: what you need and how long it takes

SAM.gov is the U.S. government's System for Award Management. To be awarded a federal contract, your business needs an active SAM.gov registration. Registering is free, and you do it yourself at SAM.gov.

Who can register

Any business that can legally contract in the U.S.: corporations, LLCs, partnerships and sole proprietors. A sole proprietor can register under the owner's name or a "doing business as" name, using an SSN or an EIN as the taxpayer ID. Many consultants recommend getting a free EIN from the IRS first, so you don't put your Social Security number on government forms.

What you need before you start

  • Your legal business name and physical address, exactly as the IRS has them
  • Your taxpayer identification number (EIN or SSN) and the name it is registered to
  • Bank details for electronic payments (routing and account number)
  • The NAICS codes for the work you do, and whether you are a small business for each one
  • People who will be your points of contact for government business and for payments
  • A Login.gov account, which SAM.gov uses for sign-in

The steps

  1. Get a Unique Entity ID. SAM.gov assigns this 12-character ID for free. It replaced the old DUNS number in 2022.
  2. Complete the entity registration. Core data (who you are, tax and bank details), assertions (NAICS codes, size), representations and certifications (the legal answers that used to go into every bid), and points of contact.
  3. Wait for validation. SAM.gov checks your name and address, and the IRS checks your taxpayer ID. A CAGE code is assigned along the way. If something doesn't match exactly, you will be asked for documents, which is where most delays happen.
  4. Watch for the activation email. Once active, your registration shows in SAM.gov and contracting officers can award to you.

The first registration often takes a few weeks, sometimes longer if documents are requested. Register before you need it, not the week a bid is due.

Keep it active

Registrations expire after one year. SAM.gov sends reminders, but put the date in your calendar: an expired registration can stop an award or a payment. Update it whenever your address, bank account or ownership changes.

Avoid the scams

Registration in SAM.gov is free. Companies that email you claiming your registration is "expiring" and charging a fee to renew it are not the government. You can do every step yourself at SAM.gov, and free help is available from APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) and Small Business Development Centers.

After you register

Registration doesn't bring work by itself. Next, find notices that fit your trade: browse open federal contracts by state, look up your NAICS code, or let BidFox email you the matches every morning.

Last reviewed October 20, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and dollar thresholds change, so check the solicitation and the official sources linked above.