What is SAM.gov used for?

SAM.gov serves as the primary official U.S. government system for entities to register to do business with the federal government, manage their entity information, and find federal contract opportunities and assistance listings. It's a critical platform for anyone looking to engage with the federal sector, whether through contracts or grants.

Central Hub for Federal Business and Grants

SAM.gov functions as a government-wide registry for vendors doing business with the Federal government. This means that any individual, business, or organization seeking to receive federal contracts, grants, or other financial assistance must register and maintain an active account on SAM.gov. This registration is not a one-time process; SAM registration requires annual renewal to ensure that entity information remains current and accurate.

Beyond just vendor registration, SAM.gov also plays a vital role for recipients of federal financial assistance. It centralizes information about grant recipients and further provides a central location for grant recipients to change organizational information, streamlining administrative processes for both the government and the recipient organizations.

Key Functions of SAM.gov

SAM.gov consolidates multiple federal procurement and award systems, offering a comprehensive suite of services:

• Entity Registration: Businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and state/local governments must register here to be eligible for federal contracts and financial assistance (grants). This unique registration allows the government to track and manage its relationships with these entities.
• Finding Opportunities: Users can search for federal contract opportunities, past contract awards, and sales of government property. It also lists federal assistance listings, providing details on various grant programs and non-financial assistance.
• Reporting: Federal agencies use SAM.gov to report contract actions, and in some cases, entities must submit required reports through the system.
• Wage Determinations: The site provides access to wage determinations, which are crucial for federal contractors to ensure they pay employees fair wages as required by law.
• Exclusions: It maintains a list of entities and individuals debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from receiving federal contracts or certain subcontracts, ensuring that the government only does business with responsible parties.

Who Needs to Register on SAM.gov?

Registration on SAM.gov is mandatory for a wide range of entities that wish to interact financially with the U.S. federal government. This includes:

• Businesses interested in bidding on federal contracts.
• Organizations applying for federal grants or other financial assistance.
• State, local, and tribal governments receiving federal funds.
• Educational institutions seeking federal research grants or other aid.
• Non-profit organizations applying for federal program funding.

The Registration Process

Registering or renewing your registration on SAM.gov involves several steps to ensure your entity is properly identified and compliant with federal requirements:

1. Get a Unique Entity ID (UEI): The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned by SAM.gov and is the primary identifier for all entities doing business with the government.
2. Validate Your Entity: SAM.gov performs a validation process to verify the entity's existence and address.
3. Complete the SAM.gov Registration: This involves providing detailed information about your entity, including financial, organizational, and business type data.
4. Annual Renewal: As mentioned, annual renewal is required to keep your registration active and ensure continued eligibility for federal opportunities. Failure to renew can result in a lapse in eligibility.

Benefits of Using SAM.gov

SAM.gov centralizes essential functions, providing significant benefits for both the federal government and entities seeking to do business with it.

For more detailed information or to register, visit the official SAM.gov website. For grant-specific registration help, refer to resources available on Grants.gov.