U.S. Federal Contracting Identifiers: DUNS, UEI, and CAGE Guide

Securing U.S. federal contracts and grant awards requires obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code.

Required Identifiers for SAM.gov Registration

Before bidding on federal solicitations, businesses must register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) ^[1]. The registration process issues two primary identifiers required under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR):

Unique Entity ID (UEI): A 12-character alphanumeric code used as the official entity identifier for federal financial transactions ^[1].
CAGE Code: A 5-character identifier assigned by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to verify physical facility locations performing defense and civilian contracts ^[2].

These codes are required to establish corporate eligibility, receive invoice payments, and verify security clearances ^[3].

Deep-Dive Guides in this Category

The DUNS to UEI Transition: Key Information for Contractors - Explains the transition from the proprietary D&B DUNS identifier to the GSA-owned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on SAM.gov.

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.

SAM.gov Registration Guide: Unique Entity ID Setup and Requirements - A practical walkthrough detailing the registration process on SAM.gov, verification steps, and maintaining active status.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What codes do I need to bid on government contracts?

You need a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov and a CAGE code from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Q: Is SAM.gov registration free?

Yes. Registering on SAM.gov, obtaining a UEI, and receiving a CAGE code are completely free services provided by the U.S. government.

U.S. Federal Contracting Identifiers: DUNS, UEI, and CAGE Guide

Required Identifiers for SAM.gov Registration

Deep-Dive Guides in this Category

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources & References