Registering your Entity 

An entity registration allows your organization the opportunity to receive a contract or assistance directly from the federal government, not from another contractor or awardee. You need to register your entity in SAM.gov when you want to bid on federal contracts as a prime contractor or seek federal assistance as a prime awardee. 

The process for entity registrations includes getting the Unique Entity ID and requires assertions, representations and certifications, and other information about your business. For more information on registering a new entity, click here (KB0038643).

The Unique Entity ID does not expire. However, registrations must be updated and renewed each year to remain in the “active registration” status. If you do not update or renew your registration, it will be in an “inactive” status, but your entity will still have its same Unique Entity ID. Note: No awards or payments can be processed while the registration is in "inactive" status. Follow these steps to renew an existing entity (KB0016307).

 

Getting a Unique Entity ID only

 Some entities who do business with the government may choose not to register in SAM.gov, for example, sub-awardees. In this case, those entities cannot bid directly on federal contracts as a prime contractor or seek federal assistance as a prime awardee. If this is the goal of the entity, they can go to SAM.gov and get a Unique Entity ID only (no entity registration required). The information required for getting a Unique Entity ID without registration is minimal. It only validates your organization's legal business name and address. Start here to request a new UEI in SAM.gov (KB0060383)