GovCon Academy · Beginner

SAM.gov Registration

15 min read

SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the mandatory federal database every business must be registered in before receiving a federal contract or grant. Registration is free and must be renewed annually. Here's the complete step-by-step process.

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Scam Alert: SAM.gov registration is completely free. Never pay a third-party service to register or maintain your SAM.gov account. The only legitimate site is sam.gov.

Registration Steps

  1. 1

    Get Your UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)

    Go to sam.gov and click "Get Started." SAM.gov now assigns UEIs directly — you no longer need a DUNS number. The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric code that identifies your business permanently.

    💡 The UEI is free and instant. Never pay a third party to get one.
  2. 2

    Gather Required Business Information

    Before starting registration, collect: Legal business name and address, EIN (Employer Identification Number) or TIN, NAICS codes for your business, bank account info for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), and fiscal year end date.

    💡 Your legal name must match your IRS records exactly — mismatches are the #1 cause of registration delays.
  3. 3

    Create a Login.gov Account

    SAM.gov requires a Login.gov account with identity verification. Go to login.gov, create an account with your email, then complete identity verification with a government-issued ID and a phone number or address.

    💡 Use a work email address, not a personal Gmail, for your Login.gov account.
  4. 4

    Complete Core Data

    Enter your business information: legal name, physical address, mailing address, congressional district, business start date, fiscal year end, and primary NAICS code. This section builds the foundation of your profile.

    💡 Double-check your EIN/TIN — errors here can delay activation by weeks.
  5. 5

    Select Your NAICS Codes

    Add all NAICS codes that apply to your business — you can add multiple. The primary code determines your small business size standard. Use our NAICS Finder tool if you're unsure which codes apply.

    💡 Add every relevant NAICS code. Agencies filter by NAICS — missing a code means missing opportunities.
  6. 6

    Submit Representations & Certifications (Reps & Certs)

    Answer a series of compliance questions covering FAR and DFARS clauses. Key certifications include small business status, set-aside eligibility (SDVOSB, 8(a), WOSB, HUBZone), and debarment status.

    💡 The system will auto-populate your small business status based on your NAICS code and reported revenue.
  7. 7

    Add Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Information

    Enter your bank routing and account number so the government can pay you via ACH direct deposit. This is mandatory — you cannot receive payments without it.

    💡 Use a dedicated business bank account, not a personal account.
  8. 8

    Submit and Wait for Activation

    After submission, SAM.gov validates your information with the IRS and other federal databases. Activation typically takes 7–12 business days. You'll receive an email confirmation when active.

    💡 Set a calendar reminder to renew annually — registrations expire every 365 days.

Keeping Your Registration Current

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Annual Renewal

Renew every 365 days or your registration lapses and you cannot receive payments.

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Update Reps & Certs

Review and re-certify your representations & certifications at least annually.

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Keep EFT Current

If your bank account changes, update SAM.gov immediately to avoid payment delays.

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Update Address / NAICS

Any change in business address, name, or primary NAICS must be reflected in SAM.gov.

Next Steps

NAICS Codes Guide →Full Contractor Checklist