SAM.gov Registration
SAM.gov registration is the free, mandatory process of listing your business in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) so it can receive federal contracts and grants. Registration generates your [UEI](/glossary/uei) and [CAGE code](/glossary/cage-code), captures your [NAICS codes](/glossary/naics-code) and certifications, and must be renewed every year to stay active.
What registration gives you
- A Unique Entity ID (UEI) — your primary federal identifier.
- A CAGE code assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency.
- An entity record with your NAICS codes, size status, points of contact, and banking details for payment.
- Eligibility to be awarded federal contracts and grants (you can search opportunities without it, but not receive an award).
Registration is free — and expires
SAM.gov registration costs nothing; ignore any third party that charges a fee to "register" you. Registration lapses after one year, so set a reminder to renew — an expired registration can cost you an award.
You don’t need to be registered to start researching. SAM.gov Hunter lets you search and fit-score federal and state opportunities before you register, so you can confirm there’s real work for your business first.
See what’s out there for your business before you register — free.
Search opportunities →Frequently asked questions
Is SAM.gov registration free?
Yes. Registering in SAM.gov is completely free. Be cautious of third-party services that charge a fee to do it for you — the government does not charge to register.
How often do I renew my SAM.gov registration?
Annually. A SAM.gov registration is active for one year and must be renewed before it expires to remain eligible for awards.
Do I need to register before I can search for contracts?
No. You can search and analyze opportunities without registering. Registration is required to be awarded a federal contract or grant, not to research them.