Registering in SAM.gov is the gate every federal contractor passes through, and it delays more first-time firms than any other administrative step. The process is not hard, but it is unforgiving of small errors.

Start with your Unique Entity ID. SAM.gov now issues the UEI directly, replacing the old DUNS number. Your legal business name and address must match your other records exactly — IRS and bank records included — because mismatches are the single most common cause of validation holds.

Next comes the CAGE code, assigned during registration and used across federal systems to identify your entity. Budget time here: CAGE assignment can add days, and it must complete before your registration goes active.

Finally, work through the representations and certifications carefully. These answers carry legal weight and shape your eligibility for set-asides. Do not rush them, and revisit them annually — your registration must be renewed every year, and a lapsed registration quietly removes you from eligibility for award.