How to Register in the System for Award Management (SAM)
A Quick User Guide for Contract Registrations can be found at:
https://www.sam.gov/sam/transcript/Quick_Guide_for_Contract_Registrations.pdf
Helpful Information
What is an Entity?
In SAM, your company / business /
organization is referred to as an
“Entity.” You register your entity to do
business with the U.S. Federal
government by completing the
registration process in SAM.
SAM is the official free, governmentoperated
website – there is NO charge to
register or maintain your entity registration
record in SAM.
What do I need to get started?
DUNS Number
You need a Data Universal Numbering
System (DUNS) Number to register your
entity in SAM. DUNS Numbers are
unique for each physical location you
are registering.
If you do not have one, you can request
a DUNS number for free to do business
with the U.S. Federal government by
visiting Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) at
http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform
It takes no more than 1-2 business days to
obtain a DUNS number.
Taxpayer Identification Number
You need your entity’s Taxpayer ID
Number (TIN) and Taxpayer Name (as it
appears on your most recent tax return).
Foreign entities that do not pay
employees within the U.S. do not need to
provide a TIN. Your TIN is usually your
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
assigned by the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS).
Sole proprietors may use their Social
Security Number (SSN) assigned by the
Social Security Administration (SSA) as
their TIN, but are strongly encouraged to
obtain a free EIN from the IRS by visiting:
http:// www.irs.gov/Businesses/SmallBusinesses-&
-Self-Employed/How-toApply-for-an-EIN
Allow approximately two
weeks before your new EIN is ready for
use when registering in SAM.
Steps for Registering
1. Type www.sam.gov in your Internet browser address bar.
2. Create a SAM Individual User Account (be sure to validate your e-mail
address), then Log In.
3. On the My SAM page select Entity Registrations and then select Register New
Entity.
4. Select your type of Entity. Definitions are in the Content Glossary.
5. If you are registering in SAM.gov so you can conduct business with the
government through contracts, select “I want to be able to bid on federal
contracts or other procurement opportunities. I also want to be able to
apply for grants, loans, and other financial assistance programs.”
6. Complete the Core Data section:
Validate your DUNS Number information.
Enter Business Information (TIN, etc.) This page is also where you create your
Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN). Remember your MPIN as it
will serve as your electronic signature for the IRS’ Consent to Disclosure of
Tax Information on the following page.
Enter your CAGE Code if you have one. CAGE codes are tied to DUNS
Numbers and cannot be reused. Don’t worry if you don’t have a CAGE
Code for the DUNS Number you are registering: one will be assigned to you
after your registration is submitted. Foreign registrants must enter their
NCAGE Code before proceeding.
Enter General Information (business types, organization structure, etc.)
about your entity.
Provide your entity’s Financial Information, i.e. U.S. bank Electronic
Funds Transfer (EFT) Information for Federal government payment purposes.
Foreign entities do not need to provide EFT information.
Answer the Executive Compensation questions.
Answer the Proceedings Details questions.
Provide your public search authorization.
7. Complete the Assertions section:
Enter your entity’s goods and services using NAICS Codes and PSCs.
Enter your entity’s size metrics.
Enter optional Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) information.
Enter optional Disaster Relief Information.
8. Complete the Representations & Certifications section, which is comprised
of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement (DFARS) provisions/clauses, and Architect-Engineer
Responses (SF330 Part II).
9. Complete the Points of Contact section: Your Electronic Business POC is
integral to the procurement process. Your Government POC will be used by
other government systems, such as the CAGE program, when they contact
you. List someone with direct knowledge of this registration for both of those
POCs.
10. Make sure to select Submit after your final review. You will get a
Congratulations message on the screen. If you do not see this message, you
have not submitted your registration.
There are two external validation steps, one with the IRS and another with the
CAGE program, after you submit. You will receive an email from SAM.gov when
your registration is active. Allow up to 10-12business days after you submit before
your registration is active in SAM.
For help registering in SAM, contact the supporting
Federal Service Desk (FSD) at https://www.fsd.gov/