What Is SAM.gov?
SAM.gov (System for Award Management) is the official U.S. government system for entity registration, contract opportunities, wage determinations, and federal assistance listings. Registration in SAM.gov is mandatory for any organization that wants to receive federal contracts, grants, or other financial assistance. Without an active SAM registration, you cannot bid on or receive federal contracts.
SAM.gov consolidated multiple legacy systems including the Central Contractor Registration (CCR), the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA), and the Excluded Parties List System (EPLS). Today, it serves as the single authoritative source for vendor information in the federal procurement ecosystem.
Registration Process
To register in SAM.gov, you first need a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), which is assigned through SAM.gov itself (previously, a DUNS number from Dun & Bradstreet was required). The registration process requires detailed information about your company including legal business name, physical address, banking information for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), NAICS codes, Product Service Codes (PSCs), and points of contact.
You will also need to complete representations and certifications, including your small business size status, ownership information, and various compliance certifications. The initial registration process can take several weeks, so plan ahead. Registration must be renewed annually to remain active.
Finding Contract Opportunities
SAM.gov hosts the Contract Opportunities section (formerly FedBizOpps/FBO), where agencies post solicitations, pre-solicitation notices, sources sought notices, and award information. You can search by keyword, NAICS code, set-aside type, agency, or location. Set up saved searches and email notifications to receive alerts when relevant opportunities are posted.
Pay attention to the full range of notices: Sources Sought notices reveal upcoming requirements, Pre-Solicitation notices announce planned procurements, and Synopsis/Solicitation pairs contain the actual bidding documents. Special notices may announce industry days, draft RFPs for comment, or market research inquiries.
Maintaining Your Registration
Your SAM.gov registration must be updated and renewed annually. Set calendar reminders 60 days before expiration. An expired registration means you cannot receive new contracts or modifications, and payments on existing contracts may be delayed.
Keep your banking information, points of contact, NAICS codes, and certifications current. If your company undergoes changes - new address, name change, merger, or ownership change - update SAM.gov promptly. Review your entity registration regularly to ensure all representations and certifications remain accurate, as inaccurate information can result in penalties.