SAM.gov Registration: Your First Step Toward Federal Contracts

Every journey into federal contracting begins with SAM.gov registration. The System for Award Management is the federal government's official database of vendors, and no agency can award you a contract without it. While the process is free, it can be confusing for first-timers. This guide walks you through every step.

What Is SAM.gov?

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) consolidates several former federal systems:

Central Contractor Registration (CCR)

Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA)

Excluded Parties List System (EPLS)

Federal Agency Registration (FedReg)

It serves as the single authoritative source for vendor information used by the entire federal government.

Before You Start: What You'll Need

Required Information

Legal business name — Exactly as registered with your state

Physical address — Must be a physical location, not a P.O. Box

Mailing address — Can be different from physical

Tax Identification Number (TIN/EIN) — From the IRS

Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) — Assigned during registration

NAICS codes — At least one, preferably several

Product Service Codes (PSC) — What you sell to the government

Banking information — For electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Points of contact — Government business, electronic business, past performance

Required Documents

IRS Letter 147C or CP-575 (confirming your EIN)

Notarized letter (for certain entity types)

Banking information on company letterhead

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Get Your UEI

The Unique Entity Identifier replaced the DUNS number in 2022.

Go to SAM.gov and click "Get Started"

Request a UEI through the registration process

Processing time: Typically 1-2 business days

It's free — beware of third-party sites that charge

Step 2: Create Your SAM.gov Account

Go to login.gov and create an account

Use your business email address

Set up multi-factor authentication

Link your login.gov account to SAM.gov

Step 3: Start Your Entity Registration

Navigate to "Entity Registration" and select "Register New Entity"

Core Data:

Legal business name

Physical and mailing addresses

Business start date

Fiscal year end date

Entity structure (LLC, Corporation, Sole Proprietorship, etc.)

State of incorporation

Business Types:

Select all applicable categories

Small business designations

Socioeconomic categories (minority-owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned)

Organization type

Step 4: NAICS and PSC Codes

Select your primary NAICS code

Add additional NAICS codes for all your capabilities

Select relevant Product Service Codes

Research codes at census.gov/naics

Step 5: Financial Information

Enter banking information for EFT payments

Provide accounts receivable contact

Enter financial institution details

This information is encrypted and secure

Step 6: Representations and Certifications

Complete the online representations:

Small business size standards

Socioeconomic status

Trade agreements compliance

Tax delinquency status

Felony conviction status

Organizational conflicts of interest

Step 7: Points of Contact

Designate contacts for:

Government Business POC — Primary contact for contracting

Electronic Business POC — Technical/system contact

Past Performance POC — References and performance data

Alternate POCs — Backup contacts for each role

Step 8: Review and Submit

Review all entered information carefully

Submit your registration

Processing time: 7-10 business days (can take longer)

You'll receive email confirmation when active

After Registration

Annual Renewal

Registration must be renewed annually

Set calendar reminders 60 days before expiration

Update any changed information during renewal

Expired registration = ineligible for contract awards

Keep Information Current

Update SAM.gov whenever:

Your address changes

Banking information changes

Key personnel change

You add new NAICS codes

Certifications are obtained or renewed

Business structure changes

Leverage Your Registration

Once registered, you can:

Search for contract opportunities on SAM.gov

Be found by government buyers searching for vendors

Bid on solicitations

Receive contract awards

Get paid for government work

Common Registration Mistakes

Using a P.O. Box as physical address (not allowed)

Mismatched information between SAM.gov and IRS records

Wrong NAICS codes — Research carefully

Incomplete banking information — Delays payment setup

Letting registration expire — Set renewal reminders

Not updating information — Outdated data causes problems

Paying a third party — Registration is free; don't pay for it

Beyond SAM.gov: Additional Registrations

DSBS (Dynamic Small Business Search)

Automatically populated from SAM.gov

Used by contracting officers to find small businesses

Ensure your profile is complete and compelling

SBIR/STTR Registration

Required for Small Business Innovation Research proposals

Separate registration at sbir.gov

Agency-Specific Portals

GSA eBuy (for GSA Schedule holders)

Army CHESS (IT products)

Navy NECO (Navy opportunities)

Air Force AFWAY (IT products)

Conclusion

SAM.gov registration is your entry ticket to the federal marketplace. Take the time to do it right, keep it current, and use it as the foundation for your government contracting business. It's free, it's mandatory, and it's the first step on your path to federal contracts.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you're a small manufacturer seeking defense contracts, a government buyer looking for qualified suppliers, or a business owner pursuing CMMC certification, KDM & Associates and the V+KDM Consortium are here to help.

Join the KDM Consortium Platform today:

Schedule a free introductory session to learn how we can accelerate your path to government contracting success.

Whether you're a small manufacturer seeking defense contracts, a government buyer looking for qualified suppliers, or a business owner pursuing CMMC certification, KDM & Associates and the V+KDM Consortium are here to help.

Join the KDM Consortium Platform today:

[Register as a Supplier (SME)](/register?type=sme) — Get matched with government contract opportunities, access capacity-building resources, and connect with prime contractors.

[Register as a Government Buyer](/register?type=buyer) — Discover qualified, defense-ready small businesses and streamline your procurement process.

*Schedule a free introductory session to learn how we can accelerate your path to government contracting success.*