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CAGE Definition

Commercial and Government Entity code. A five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to facilities performing federal contracts.

CAGE vs. NCAGE Code Specifications

Feature	CAGE Code	NCAGE Code
Target Entities	U.S.-based business facilities	International (non-U.S.) business facilities
Issuing Office	U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)	NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)
Registration Portal	SAM.gov (issued automatically)	NATO NSPA online portal (prior to SAM)
Renewal Period	Keep SAM.gov active (every 12 months)	Keep NSPA registration active on change

💡 Expert Guidance

Expert Guidance: If your CAGE code registration is placed on a DLA Hold, do not submit a new SAM.gov registration. Instead, log directly into the DLA CAGE portal, retrieve your business address verification ticket, and submit corporate documentation (like state filings or utility bills) that match your SAM address exactly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official definition of CAGE in compliance registry records? ▾

The term 'CAGE' is defined in compliance registers as: Commercial and Government Entity code. A five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency to facilities performing federal contracts. This concept forms a primary component of corporate entity resolution and industry classification frameworks.

Which governing authority is responsible for publishing and maintaining the CAGE standard? ▾

The standard for CAGE is published, validated, and maintained under the direct oversight of the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). They verify updates and publish the official registers for compliance audits.

What is the standard format and character length used for CAGE entries? ▾

The standard format for CAGE is structured as a 5-character alphanumeric code unique to each physical facility location performing government work. This specific layout guarantees formatting uniformity and prevents collisions in corporate databases.

How is CAGE utilized during regulatory compliance and entity registration? ▾

Organizations utilize CAGE during verifying facility security clearances, routing defense logistics shipments, and processing invoice payments for federal awards. Having a verified identifier is essential to transact with government bodies and complete bank KYC reviews.

Are there mathematical checks or checksum algorithms associated with CAGE codes? ▾

Many corporate identifiers associated with CAGE utilize mathematical checks (such as the ISO 7064 Mod 97-10 check digit routine or the omission of confusing characters) to detect transcription errors during manual entries.

Does an organization's CAGE identifier expire or require periodic renewal? ▾

Depending on the specific registry, identifiers associated with CAGE require annual renewal (e.g. keeping SAM.gov active every 12 months, or renewing LEIs with an LOU) to ensure the registry data remains accurate.

Can a business have more than one CAGE code assigned to it? ▾

For entity registrations or classification standards like CAGE, a business typically has a single primary identifier or code. For secondary classifications, a business can list multiple additional CAGE codes depending on the registry rules.

Is obtaining a CAGE identifier free or are there registration fees? ▾

Whether obtaining a CAGE identifier or standard is free depends on the registry. Federal identifiers (such as SAM.gov UEIs and CAGE codes) are completely free to obtain. However, international standards like the LEI require paying registration and annual renewal fees to the issuing LOU.

How can an auditor or compliance officer verify the status of a CAGE entry? ▾

A compliance officer can verify the status of a CAGE entry by querying the official registry database (such as the GLEIF index, SAM.gov public search, or the DLA portal) or by using the instant lookup tools on our site.

Is the CAGE classification standard uniform across all states in the U.S.? ▾

Yes, standard guidelines governed by federal or international agencies for CAGE are uniform nationwide, ensuring consistent compliance verification across all jurisdictions.

Related Guides & Tools

U.S. Federal Contracting Identifiers: DUNS, UEI, and CAGE Guide — A comprehensive reference detailing the required structural identifiers needed to transact with the U.S. federal government.
How to Request and Maintain a CAGE Code for Federal Awards — Step-by-step instructions on requesting a CAGE code from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and aligning registration details.
Understanding NCAGE Codes for International (Non-U.S.) Entities — An overview of CAGE requirements for foreign firms, explaining how to secure an NCAGE code before registering on SAM.gov.
SIC ↔ NAICS Concordance Crosswalk — Search and map old SIC codes to modern formats.