How to Register Your SDVOSB in SAM.gov
SAM.gov is the federal government's official registration system. No business can receive a federal award without an active SAM.gov registration and a Unique Entity ID (UEI). Registration is free — never pay a third party for it. This guide covers the registration end to end, including the representations and certifications every contractor must complete.
Before You Start
What you'll need
- Legal business name and physical address exactly as registered with your state
- Taxpayer Identification Number (EIN) and matching IRS records
- Bank routing and account number for electronic payment (CAGE/EFT setup)
- Your primary and secondary NAICS codes
Systems used: SAM.gov · Login.gov account · IRS EIN documentation
Create a Login.gov account
SAM.gov uses Login.gov for sign-in. Set up an account with multi-factor authentication before starting your registration.
Validate your entity and get a Unique Entity ID
Begin the entity validation process in SAM.gov. You will confirm your legal business name and physical address against authoritative records. Once validated, SAM.gov issues your 12-character UEI — the identifier that replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
Tip: Entity validation is the most common point of delay. Make sure your business name and address match your state registration and incorporation documents exactly, including punctuation.
Enter core entity and financial data
Complete the entity's core data: business types, NAICS codes, points of contact, and electronic funds transfer (banking) information used to receive payment. SAM.gov assigns a CAGE code automatically for U.S. entities.
Complete representations and certifications
Answer the FAR and DFARS representations and certifications (reps and certs). These cover your business size, socioeconomic status, and compliance attestations. They are legally binding and are relied upon by contracting officers, so answer carefully and keep them current.
Submit and wait for active status
Submit the registration and monitor its status. New registrations require IRS and CAGE validation before they go active. Once active, you are eligible to bid and receive awards.
Set a renewal reminder
SAM.gov registrations must be renewed every 12 months. An expired registration makes you ineligible for award and can stall payments, so renew at least 30 days before expiration.
Tip: SDVOSB certification through VetCert is separate from SAM.gov registration — but VetCert pulls your entity data from SAM.gov, so register in SAM.gov first.
Primary Sources
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Verify current requirements against the cited regulations and your contracting officer before acting.
Change log (1)
- LaunchedPublished the how-to guide library covering SDVOSB certification, SAM.gov registration, recertification, limitations on subcontracting, status protests, finding set-asides, and joint ventures — each with HowTo structured data, primary-source citations, and cross-links into the glossary, FAQ, and calculators.