SAM.gov Registration
Administered by U.S. General Services Administration (GSA)
Private consulting firm, not a government agency. We are not affiliated with any city, state or federal agency. You can apply directly with any agency yourself, and NYC and NYS M/WBE certification are free to apply for. We charge for our help, not for the certification. Official agency links are listed at the bottom of this page.
What this program is
SAM.gov is the federal government's system for registering businesses that want to bid on government contracts or apply for federal assistance. Registration gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI), a 12-character ID used across federal contracting.
What it unlocks
Eligibility to receive federal awards as a prime. Many local programs ask for it too: HPD's prequalified list application, for example, requires SAM.gov registration, and it is needed before federal certifications like 8(a) and VetCert.
Key facts at a glance
- Cost
- Free to register and renew
- Activation
- Allow at least 10 business days after you submit
- Renewal
- Every 365 days (start 45 to 60 days before it expires)
Can I bid on federal work? Start with SAM.gov.
Loading the free eligibility check. If it does not appear, take the full eligibility check here.
You may qualify if
- You want to bid on federal contracts or work on projects that require a SAM.gov registration
- Your legal name and physical address can be validated against official records
These are screening indicators only, not a guarantee of eligibility. Eligibility is determined solely by the certifying agency.
Documents you'll need to gather
Most delays come from missing paperwork, not the questions. Here's what to pull together, organized by where you'll find it.
Business information
- Legal business name and physical address exactly as registered
- Taxpayer ID (TIN/EIN) that matches IRS records
- Start date and state of incorporation, if asked during validation
- CAGE code, if you already have one
Banking
- Bank account information for electronic payments
Typical preparation flow
- 1Make sure your legal name and address match your IRS records exactly.
- 2Create your SAM.gov login and start the entity registration.
- 3If the system can't validate your entity, upload the documents it asks for and wait for the validation service to update your record.
- 4Submit and allow at least 10 business days for activation.
- 5Set a reminder to renew every year, starting 45 to 60 days ahead.
Where applications get held up
- Entity validation: if SAM.gov can't match your information, you wait on the validation service, with no fixed timeframe.
- A failed TIN or CAGE check may mean sorting it out with the IRS or DLA before you can resubmit.
- Third parties sometimes charge for SAM.gov registration. The registration itself is free.
Official sources
Last reviewed October 2026. Agencies change their rules; always confirm on the agency's site before you file.
Not sure if SAM.gov is the right one for you?
Take the free eligibility check and see every program your company may qualify to pursue (city, state, federal and agency) in the right order.
or call 212-812-2219Other programs you may qualify for
NYC Get Certified is an independent consulting service powered by Managed Construction. We are not a government agency. We do not guarantee certification approval, prequalification, or contract awards. Program requirements are set by the certifying agencies and change over time.