Guides

SAM.gov registration 2026: how to register in SAM step by step (free)

How a small contractor registers in SAM.gov to bid federal jobs: what you need before you start, each step, how long it takes, and how to keep it active.

By the Seal the Bid team · Updated October 29, 2026

Before you can be awarded a federal contract, your business needs an active registration in SAM.gov, the government's System for Award Management. Registration is free. Companies that charge for "SAM registration" are charging you for something you can do yourself in an afternoon of paperwork.

What to have ready

  • Your company's legal name and physical address, exactly as they appear with the IRS and your state.
  • Your EIN (federal tax ID) and the exact legal name the IRS has on file for it. Mismatches are the most common cause of delay.
  • Bank account and routing number for electronic payments.
  • Your NAICS codes: the industry codes for the work you do (for example 238160 roofing, 238220 HVAC and plumbing, 238210 electrical, 236220 commercial building).
  • Basic company facts: start date, fiscal year end, number of employees, average annual revenue.
  • A person authorized to register the company, with an email address and phone.

The steps

  1. Create a Login.gov account and sign in to SAM.gov with it.
  2. Get your Unique Entity ID (UEI). SAM.gov validates your legal name and address. If it can't match them automatically, you upload documents; this is where delays happen.
  3. Register the entity for "all awards" (needed to bid on contracts, not just receive grants).
  4. Fill in core data: business information, taxpayer information, financial information for payments, and points of contact.
  5. Add your NAICS codes and confirm you're small for each (SAM.gov calculates this from your answers).
  6. Complete representations and certifications (FAR 52.212-3 and related). These answers are reused on every bid, so read them carefully.
  7. Submit. The IRS check and validation follow. You receive a CAGE code when the registration is active.

How long it takes

From a few days to several weeks, depending mostly on whether your name, address and tax records match. Start well before the bid you want; a registration can be in progress while you prepare a quote, but it must be active before award.

Keeping it active

  • Renew every year. Registrations expire after 365 days. SAM.gov emails reminders; don't ignore them.
  • Update it when your address, bank or ownership changes.
  • If you're eligible for a set-aside certification, that's a separate, also free, application with the SBA (see set-asides explained).

Stuck? APEX Accelerators help with registration at no cost, and we're happy to point you through it too, free.

Does SAM.gov registration cost anything?

No. Registering in SAM.gov is always free. So are your Unique Entity ID and CAGE code. GSA warns businesses about companies that charge for registration or send official-looking renewal notices. You can pay someone to help, but you never have to, and free help exists from APEX Accelerators.

SAM registration vs. getting a UEI only

  • Get a Unique Entity ID only: enough to be a subcontractor, to report as a sub-recipient, or for some grants. You can't be awarded a federal prime contract with only a UEI.
  • Register Entity (full registration): needed to bid on and be awarded federal contracts. Includes the UEI and a CAGE code. See what is a UEI number and what is a CAGE code.

Common reasons registration gets stuck

  1. Name or address doesn't match IRS or state records exactly (abbreviations, suite numbers, old addresses).
  2. EIN and legal name mismatch with the IRS. Use the name on your IRS letter (CP 575 or 147C).
  3. Entity validation asks for documents, such as articles of incorporation or a utility bill. Upload clear copies matching the entered details.
  4. Bank details entered for an account not in the company's name.
  5. Missed emails: SAM.gov sends requests to the registration contact. Check spam.

SAM.gov registration checklist

  • Login.gov account for the person registering
  • Legal business name and physical address, exactly as with the IRS and state
  • EIN, and the IRS letter showing the name tied to it
  • Bank routing and account number
  • NAICS codes (use our NAICS code lookup)
  • Number of employees, average annual revenue, fiscal year end
  • Points of contact: an electronic business POC and a government business POC

Frequently asked questions

How much does SAM.gov registration cost?

Nothing. SAM.gov registration, the UEI and the CAGE code are free.

How long does SAM.gov registration take?

Usually 1 to 4 weeks, depending on whether your name, address and tax records match. It can be faster if everything validates automatically.

How often do I renew SAM.gov registration?

Every year. Registrations expire 365 days after activation; renew before then so you can keep receiving awards and payments.

Do I need SAM.gov registration to bid on government contracts?

You need an active registration to be awarded a federal contract. Many solicitations also require it at the time you submit your offer.

Registered? Next: how to get government contracts and open contracts you can bid on.