🦅 What are UEI and CAGE codes?
They are the two IDs the government uses to identify your business. Federal agencies need them before they can award you a contract, and many state and local buyers ask for them too.
Unique Entity ID
UEI
12 letters & numbers
Your business’s official ID across the federal government. It replaced the DUNS number in 2022 and is issued free through SAM.gov.
Commercial and Government Entity
CAGE code
5 letters & numbers
Identifies your business location. It is assigned automatically when you complete a full SAM.gov registration, and defense buyers rely on it heavily.
Why they matter
- You cannot be awarded a federal contract without an active SAM.gov registration, which gives you both codes.
- Federal grants and many state and local bids that use federal money require them.
- Prime contractors check them before taking you on as a subcontractor.
- Once we have your codes, GovDirections pulls in your SAM.gov profile so your certifications and NAICS codes work for you.
How to get them
- Gather your details: legal business name and address exactly as the IRS has them, your EIN, and your bank account for payments.
- Create a Login.gov account and sign in to SAM.gov.
- Get your UEI, then complete the full “entity registration” to bid on contracts.
- Wait for activation. SAM.gov validates your information; your CAGE code is assigned as part of this.
- Renew every year. Registration expires after 365 days, and an expired registration can cost you an award.
SAM.gov registration is always free. Be careful with companies that email you demanding a fee to “register” or “renew” you. They are not the government.
Want help getting registered?
Book a free session to talk through our technical assistance package. We help you apply for your UEI and CAGE code, or update a registration you already have.
Already have your codes? Add them to your account →