Imperial
An identifier is not a registration
The UEI identifies your entity. Registration is the record that lets you receive an award. Obtaining the first does not complete the second, and an entity can hold a UEI while its registration is inactive or was never finished.
What registration is for
Registration establishes and validates your entity details, your banking information for payment, and the representations and certifications a federal award depends on.
Information to prepare
Your legal business name and address exactly as they appear on official records, your taxpayer identification details, and your banking information. Mismatches between these records are the most common cause of delay.
Renewal
Registration is not permanent. It has to be renewed, and an expired registration can block a submission at the point it matters most. Track the renewal date rather than discovering it.
DUNS is no longer the federal identifier
The transition to the UEI took place in April 2022. Guidance that tells you to obtain a DUNS number for federal registration is out of date.
Official help is available and free
SAM.gov provides its own help resources, and the registration itself carries no government charge. Any consultant fee, including ours, is for optional assistance with the process. It is not a government fee and should never be presented as one.
Registration is not eligibility
Being registered means you can receive an award. It does not mean you qualify for a particular opportunity, hold a certification, or meet a set-aside requirement. Those are separate determinations with their own criteria.