Definition · Plain-language
SAM.gov registration
SAM.gov registration is the mandatory enrolment in the federal System for Award Management that an entity must complete before it can receive U.S. federal grants or contracts.
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What registration enables
Federal awarding agencies are required to verify that an entity is registered in SAM.gov before issuing a grant, cooperative agreement or contract. Registration links the organisation to its banking, representations and certifications, and points of contact, allowing payments and reporting to flow. Without an active SAM registration, an entity is generally ineligible to receive a federal award, so research institutions, businesses and non-profits maintain it as a baseline requirement.
The Unique Entity ID (UEI)
Every successful registration is tied to a Unique Entity ID, a 12-character alphanumeric code generated within SAM.gov. The UEI uniquely identifies the entity across federal systems. In April 2022 the UEI replaced the DUNS number — a proprietary nine-digit identifier formerly issued by Dun & Bradstreet — removing reliance on a third-party vendor. Existing entities transitioned automatically, and new registrants receive a UEI as part of validation.
Maintaining registration
A SAM.gov registration is not permanent. Entities must renew at least annually; an expired registration can interrupt eligibility for new awards and disrupt payments on active ones. Validation of the entity’s legal business name and physical address is part of activation and renewal. Because lapses cause delays, research administration offices typically track renewal dates well in advance of expiry.
Key facts
At a glance
- Definition: enrolment in the System for Award Management
- System: SAM.gov (U.S. General Services Administration)
- Identifier: Unique Entity ID (UEI), 12-character alphanumeric
- Replaced: the DUNS number, in April 2022
- Purpose: prerequisite to receive federal awards
- Renewal: at least annually to stay active
Common misconceptions
What people often get wrong
Often heard: You still need a DUNS number for federal awards.
Actually: The Unique Entity ID (UEI) generated in SAM.gov replaced the DUNS number in April 2022. The UEI is now the official federal entity identifier.
Often heard: SAM.gov registration is a one-time step.
Actually: Registration must be renewed at least annually; an expired registration can make an entity ineligible for new federal awards.
Often heard: You have to pay a third party to register in SAM.gov.
Actually: Registration in SAM.gov is free and done directly with the government; paid intermediaries are unnecessary.
Going deeper
