# Register in SAM.gov. It is free.

> What SAM.gov registration is, what you need before you start, how long it takes, your UEI and CAGE code, and the scams to avoid.

Last verified October 2026. Page: https://victavio.com/learn/register-in-sam

SAM.gov, the System for Award Management, is the federal government's official site where businesses register to sell to it. SAM.gov registration is free. There is no charge to get a Unique Entity ID, to register, or to keep your registration active.

## Why register

Your business must be registered in SAM.gov at the time you submit a federal offer or quote. Federal payments also go to the bank account in your registration. Some state and local buyers look up vendors there too.

Registration does not bring work by itself. It lets buyers consider you.

You do not need to be registered to answer market research, such as a Sources Sought notice or a Request for Information.

## What you need before you start

Gather these first, so you can finish in one sitting:

- Your **legal business name and physical address**, exactly as the IRS has them. A P.O. box cannot be your physical address.
- Your **taxpayer identification number** and the name the IRS has on file for it.
- Your **date and state of formation**, if you formed an entity.
- Your **bank routing and account numbers** for electronic payment.
- Your **NAICS codes**, plus your revenue and employee counts for size.
- **Points of contact** for your business.
- A **Login.gov account**, which SAM.gov uses for sign-in.

Choose the purpose **All Awards**. It lets you bid on contracts and other procurements. "Financial Assistance Awards Only" is for grants and loans and does not let you bid.

## Your UEI and CAGE code

- **UEI (Unique Entity ID)** is a 12-character ID that SAM.gov assigns to your business. You can get a UEI without a full registration, but a UEI alone does not let you bid.
- **CAGE code** is a five-character ID that federal systems use to identify your business, especially in defense buying. A U.S. business that does not have one answers "No" when asked, and one is assigned after it submits its registration.

Neither ID proves you can do a job. They only identify your business.

## Answer the reps and certs carefully

SAM.gov asks you to make representations and certifications about your business, such as your size, your ownership and certain equipment you use. These are formal statements to the government. Answer each one knowingly and claim only what is true. Update them when facts change, and at least once a year. See [Reps and certs are pass or fail](https://victavio.com/learn/reps-and-certs).

## How long it takes

Allow at least 10 business days after you submit for your registration to become active. If your taxpayer ID or CAGE validation fails, SAM.gov emails you instructions to fix it and resubmit. Watch your spam folder during this time.

Renew every 365 days. Set a reminder about 60 days before your registration expires.

## Read everything before you certify

At the end, SAM.gov shows your entity data. Read the whole page before you submit. Check your contacts, bank details and codes. Unless you have a reason not to, keep your record visible in public search, because state and local buyers may look for you there.

## Scams to avoid

Because SAM.gov is free, any email or website that asks you to pay to register or renew is not the government. Some companies send official-looking messages that your registration is about to expire, with a link to a payment page. Ignore them and go straight to SAM.gov. Never share your Login.gov password with anyone.

Victavio never registers you, never asks for your SAM.gov or Login.gov password, and is not a government agency.

## Free help

If you get stuck, the Federal Service Desk at fsd.gov answers SAM.gov questions for free, and an APEX Accelerator can walk you through registration at no cost.

## Official sources
- [SAM.gov: Entity registration](https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration)
- [SAM.gov entity registration checklist](https://sam.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/entity-checklist.pdf)
- [FAR 4.1102: SAM registration policy](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.1102)
- [FAR 4.1201: Annual representations and certifications](https://www.acquisition.gov/far/4.1201)
- [GSA Federal Service Desk: warning about paid registration offers](https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp?id=kb_article_view&sysparm_article=KB0016309)
- [Login.gov](https://login.gov/)

This lesson is general information, not legal advice. Rules change. Check the official source before you act.
Victavio is a Kilobytez LLC product.
Not a government agency. SAM.gov registration is free.