Short answer: SAM.gov registration is free, it gives you a Unique Entity ID (UEI), and it has to be renewed every 365 days. Allow up to 10 business days for a new registration to go active, and more if your entity validation gets kicked back. If anyone asks you to pay for it, that's a private company, not the government.
What Changed Recently
- The UEI replaced the DUNS number on April 4, 2022. If any of your paperwork still says DUNS, update it.
- FPDS and eSRS moved into SAM.gov in February 2026. Contract award search and subcontract reporting now happen in SAM.gov, and award searches require you to sign in.
- Subaward reporting (FSRS) is retired and folded into SAM.gov too.
How to Register, Step by Step
- Gather your documents. Your exact legal business name and physical address as the IRS and your state have them, your EIN, banking information for electronic payments, and your NAICS codes.
- Create a Login.gov account tied to your business email.
- Get your UEI. You can request a UEI by itself if you only need it for grants or subawards. To bid as a prime, keep going.
- Complete the full entity registration, including the representations and certifications.
- Wait for the IRS check and CAGE code. The IRS taxpayer match often takes 1 to 3 business days, and the CAGE code assignment another few days. No paid service can speed these up.
- Write down your renewal date. Set a reminder 60 days before it.
The Mistakes That Get Registrations Rejected
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Name doesn't match exactly ("ABC, Inc." vs. "ABC Company") | Use the name exactly as it appears on your IRS and state documents |
| P.O. box as the physical address | Use your real physical location |
| Uploading a W-9 or an old document as proof | Upload current formation or IRS documents that show the legal name and address |
| Blurry scans | Upload clean, readable PDFs |
| Vague help desk tickets | Say exactly what was rejected and attach the document that fixes it |
Tips That Save You Weeks
- Start 4 to 6 weeks before you need it. Especially before bidding on a contract with a deadline.
- Don't pay a registration service. Some charge $400 to $600 for something that's free. Your local APEX Accelerator will help you for free.
- Ignore "renewal notices" with payment links. Real reminders come from SAM.gov or GSA, and renewing costs nothing.
- Pick NAICS codes you can actually do. Contracting officers and primes search by them. A long list of codes you can't support looks careless.
- Fill out the SBA Small Business Search profile too. It pulls from SAM.gov, and it's how many buyers and primes find small businesses.
- Never let it lapse during a bid. An expired registration at award time can cost you the contract.
- Update internal links and habits. If you still bookmark FPDS ezSearch, it's gone. Award searches live in SAM.gov now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SAM.gov registration free?
Yes. Registering and getting a Unique Entity ID cost nothing. GSA warns that the government will never ask you to pay.
How long does SAM.gov registration take in 2026?
Allow up to 10 business days for activation once you submit, and longer if your entity validation needs extra documents. Start 4 to 6 weeks before you need it to be safe.
How often do I renew SAM.gov?
Every 365 days. Renewal is free.
Where did FPDS go?
FPDS public search shut down in February 2026. Contract award data and searching are now in SAM.gov and require signing in.