How to Use SAM.gov for GSA Registration and Contract Management
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the federal government's centralized contractor registration database. Every company that wants to do business with the federal government — including applying for a GSA Schedule — must maintain an active SAM.gov registration. This guide covers registration, renewal, the Unique Entity ID (UEI), and how federal buyers use SAM.gov to verify contractor eligibility.
Creating and Maintaining Your Registration
Go to sam.gov and create an account with your work email address, then register your entity. You will need your company's legal name exactly as registered with your Secretary of State, your EIN or TIN, your CAGE code (assigned automatically for new registrants during the process), your NAICS codes, and your company's financial and points-of-contact information. Registration typically processes in 3–10 business days for new registrants. Renewals for existing registrations process faster — usually 1–5 business days.
The Unique Entity ID (UEI)
The UEI replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. Your UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by SAM.gov. There is no longer any need to interact with Dun and Bradstreet for federal contracting registration. Your UEI is specific to your legal entity and business address — if you have multiple office locations registered separately, each may have a distinct UEI. When applying for a GSA Schedule, your SAM.gov UEI must be listed on your offer.
Exclusions and Responsibility Determinations
SAM.gov maintains the System for Award Management exclusions list (formerly EPLS/DEBARMENT). If a company or individual is debarred, suspended, or proposed for debarment, they appear in the SAM exclusions database and are ineligible for federal contracts. Contracting officers are required to check SAM exclusions before awarding any contract. Schedule applicants with exclusions will have their offers rejected. Subcontractors on contracts above the micro-purchase threshold ($10,000) must also not appear on the exclusions list.
| Action | Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New registration | 3–10 business days | Must be active before eOffer submission |
| Annual renewal | 1–5 business days | Must renew within 365 days of last renewal |
| Address/banking updates | 5–10 business days | Banking changes require IRS verification |
| NAICS code additions | 1–3 business days | Immediate effect once processed |
SAM.gov and Your GSA Schedule Contract
Your GSA Schedule contract is tied to your SAM.gov UEI and CAGE code. If your SAM.gov registration lapses, you cannot receive new orders and GSA may suspend your contract. Set up calendar renewals 60 days before your annual expiration date — this provides a buffer for processing delays and any issues that arise during renewal. GSA sends reminder emails, but do not rely solely on those — track renewal dates in your own system.