Before you can win a federal government contract, you need to be registered in SAM.gov — the System for Award Management. It's mandatory. No registration, no contract.
The process takes most businesses 1–3 business days to complete, though the registration itself can take up to 10 business days to activate. Here's exactly how to do it.
What You Need Before You Start
- EIN (Employer Identification Number) — your federal tax ID. Get one free from the IRS at irs.gov if you don't have one.
- Legal business name as it appears on your tax return
- Physical business address (no P.O. boxes)
- NAICS codes — the codes that describe what your business does
- Banking information for Electronic Funds Transfer (for payment)
⚠️ Common mistake: Using a business name that doesn't exactly match your IRS records will cause your registration to be rejected. Double-check your exact legal name at irs.gov before starting.
Step-by-Step Registration
Step 1
Create a Login.gov Account
Go to sam.gov and click "Sign In." You'll be redirected to Login.gov to create an account. Use your business email address. You'll need to set up two-factor authentication (an authenticator app or phone number).
Step 2
Get Your UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)
Once logged in, click "Register New Entity." SAM.gov will assign you a UEI — a 12-character alphanumeric identifier that replaced the old DUNS number. This happens instantly. Write it down; you'll use it for every federal contract application.
Step 3
Enter Core Business Information
Fill in your legal business name, address, and business type. Select your entity type (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, etc.). This must match your IRS records exactly.
Step 4
IRS Validation (automated)
SAM.gov validates your EIN and business name against IRS records. This is instant if your name matches exactly. If it fails, your registration will be rejected — double-check your IRS records at irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses.
Step 5
Select Your NAICS Codes
Choose the NAICS codes that describe your business. You can select multiple. Pick your primary code first — this is what contracting officers will use to find you. Be thorough: if you do IT consulting and cybersecurity, list both.
Step 6
Complete the Representations & Certifications
This is the longest section. You're certifying your business size, ownership, and compliance with dozens of federal acquisition regulations. Most answers are "No" unless you have specific circumstances. Read each one; incorrect certifications can disqualify you from contracts.
Step 7
Enter Banking Information
Add your bank account details for Electronic Funds Transfer — this is how the government pays you. You'll need your bank's routing number and your account number.
Step 8
Submit and Wait
After submission, SAM.gov does a final validation. Full activation takes up to 10 business days. You'll receive an email when your registration is active.
Common Rejection Reasons (and How to Fix Them)
- Name mismatch with IRS — Your legal name must match exactly. Check your CP-575 letter from the IRS.
- Address mismatch — Use the same address you have on file with the IRS. P.O. boxes are not allowed.
- EIN not recognized — If your EIN is new (less than 2 weeks old), the IRS database may not have it yet. Wait a few days and try again.
- Expired registration — SAM.gov registrations must be renewed annually. Set a calendar reminder 60 days before yours expires.
💡 Pro tip: Once you're registered in SAM.gov, set up BidWatchHQ to monitor for opportunities matching your NAICS codes. You'll get a daily email of new bids instead of checking SAM.gov manually — which resets your filters every session.
Renewing Your SAM.gov Registration
SAM.gov registrations expire annually. The renewal process takes about 30 minutes and must be completed within the 12-month window. Set a reminder — if your registration lapses, you cannot receive federal contract awards until it's renewed and active again.
Next Steps After Registration
With your SAM.gov registration active, you're eligible to bid on federal contracts. Your next step is finding relevant opportunities. SAM.gov has a search tool, but it's cumbersome — filters reset between sessions, there's no email digest, and it doesn't cover state or local contracts.
BidWatchHQ monitors SAM.gov automatically and emails you a daily digest of matched opportunities based on your NAICS codes and set-aside certifications.