UEI and CAGE codes: what they are and how to get them
The Unique Entity ID and the CAGE code identify your business to federal buyers. What each one is, how you get it for free, and what neither one does.
On this page
A UEI (Unique Entity ID) is the 12-character ID SAM.gov assigns to your business, and a CAGE code is a five-character ID federal systems use to identify it, especially in defense buying. Both are free: you get the UEI at SAM.gov, and a U.S. business gets its CAGE code during SAM.gov registration.
The two IDs side by side
| UEI | CAGE code | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | The main ID for your business in federal systems | An ID for your business location, used heavily by defense buyers |
| Length | 12 characters, letters and numbers | 5 characters, letters and numbers |
| Who assigns it | SAM.gov | The CAGE program run by the Defense Logistics Agency |
| How you get it | Request it at SAM.gov, alone or as part of registering | Assigned after you submit your SAM.gov registration |
| Cost | Free | Free |
How to get a UEI
- Sign in to SAM.gov with a Login.gov account.
- Choose to get a Unique Entity ID only, or start a full registration, which also gives you one.
- Enter your legal business name and physical address exactly as they appear in your official records.
- Confirm the match SAM.gov shows you, or correct your details.
A UEI alone lets you appear in some federal systems, for example as a subcontractor or a grant applicant. It does not let you submit federal offers. For that you need a full, active registration with the purpose "All Awards". SAM.gov registration is free.
How to get a CAGE code
A U.S. business that does not already have a CAGE code answers "No" when SAM.gov asks for one. After you submit your registration, it goes to the CAGE program for validation, and a code is assigned. If validation fails, you get an email explaining what to fix. Businesses outside the United States get an NCAGE code through their own country's process first.
Where you will use them
- On SAM.gov and in the representations you make there.
- On federal forms, such as the cover forms of many solicitations.
- On your capability statement, so buyers and primes can look you up.
- When a prime contractor adds you to its team or subcontracting plan.
What these IDs do not do
They identify your business. They do not prove you can do a job, give you a certification, or bring work by themselves. Buyers still judge your offer on what the solicitation asks.
Common mistakes
- Entering a name or address that differs from your official records, which stalls validation.
- Assuming a UEI means you are registered to bid.
- Paying a website to "get" a UEI or CAGE code. Both are free.
Do I need a new UEI if I move?
No. Update your address in SAM.gov. Your CAGE code may change when your physical location changes, so check it after the update.
Can I bid with only a UEI?
Not on most federal solicitations. You need an active registration at the time you submit.
Sources
- SAM.gov: Entity registration(opens in a new tab)
- SAM.gov: Entity registration checklist(opens in a new tab)
- DLA: Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) program(opens in a new tab)
- Federal Service Desk(opens in a new tab)
This lesson is general information, not legal advice. Rules change. Check the official source before you act.
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