How to Register on SAM.gov: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough for First-Time Vendors

Before you start: gather these five things

Missing information mid-registration is the single biggest cause of abandoned applications. Pull these together before you open the browser.

• Legal business name and physical address exactly as they appear on your EIN/IRS documents
• Your EIN (Employer Identification Number) or, for sole proprietors, SSN for IRS validation
• NAICS codes you intend to register under (use naics.com to look them up)
• Bank account and ABA routing number for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) setup — required for payment
• Your login.gov account credentials — SAM.gov requires login.gov identity verification before you can begin

Step 1: Create or verify your login.gov account

SAM.gov uses login.gov as its identity provider. Go to login.gov and create an account with your work email. You'll need to complete identity proofing (a photo of a government-issued ID and a selfie). This step trips up first-timers because it looks like a separate process — it isn't. Identity proofing is required before SAM.gov will let you create an entity registration.

Step 2: Start a new entity registration at SAM.gov

Log in at sam.gov, go to Get Started → Register Your Entity → Start a New Registration. You'll work through four main sections: Core Data, Assertions, Representations & Certifications, and Points of Contact. Don't rush Reps & Certs — this is where you certify your business size, set-aside eligibility, and socioeconomic status. Errors here can disqualify you from set-aside awards later.

Step 3: Complete the IRS validation

SAM.gov runs an automated check against the IRS TIN database to confirm your EIN and legal name match IRS records. If they don't match — even a missing comma or 'Inc.' vs 'Incorporated' — the validation fails and your registration stalls. This is the most common delay reason. Check your IRS-issued EIN confirmation letter (CP-575) for the exact legal name format, and use that exact string.

Step 4: EFT setup (do not skip)

Electronic Funds Transfer is mandatory for federal payments. Enter your bank's ABA routing number and your checking account number. If you skip this section, your registration will appear active but agencies cannot pay you — a problem you won't discover until after award.

Step 5: Wait for activation and check the status

After submitting, typical activation time is 3–5 business days for domestic businesses, up to 12 business days if there are data validation issues. Log back into SAM.gov and check your entity status — it should progress from Submitted → Pending → Active. You'll receive a confirmation email when active. Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is visible in your entity record the moment you submit, even before activation.

Renewal: set the reminder before you forget

SAM.gov registrations expire exactly 365 days from activation. A lapsed registration disqualifies you from new awards — agencies are prohibited from awarding to a vendor without an active registration. SAM.gov sends reminder emails starting 60 days out, but system emails are notoriously easy to miss. Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before your expiration date. Renewal takes 15–20 minutes if nothing has changed.

What to do if your registration is stuck

If your registration has been in "Pending" status for more than 10 business days, call the Federal Service Desk (1-866-606-8220, M–F 8am–8pm ET). Have your case number ready. Common resolution paths: IRS name mismatch (correct your legal name field), CAGE code assignment delay (common for new registrations with no prior federal activity), and banking validation failure (re-enter EFT details).