How to Register in SAM.gov for Free (and Skip the Scams)

If you want to bid on federal contracts as a prime contractor, you need an active registration in SAM.gov, the government’s official system for contractors. The good news: it costs nothing. The not-so-good news: it asks for a lot of details, and they have to match your records exactly.

Here’s how to get through it without stress, or paying anyone you don’t need to.

First, the free part (seriously)

Registering in SAM.gov is always free. The General Services Administration, which runs SAM.gov, says the government will never ask you to pay to register, update or renew.

You may get official-looking emails or letters offering to “register” or “renew” you for a fee. Some are legitimate services you can choose to pay for. Others are scams. Either way, any message asking for money is not from the government. Real SAM.gov links end in .gov.

Registration or just a UEI?

SAM.gov gives you two options:

• Full registration. For businesses that want to bid on contracts directly. Your UEI is assigned during the process.
• UEI only. For businesses that only need an ID, like some subcontractors reporting their work. It only asks for your legal business name and physical address.

If you plan to win your own federal contracts, choose full registration.

What to gather before you start

SAM.gov publishes an Entity Registration Checklist on its registration page, and it’s worth downloading first. In practice, most businesses need:

• Your exact legal business name and physical address, as they appear in your IRS records
• Your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Sole owners can often use a Social Security number, but an EIN keeps it off forms you share.
• Bank account details for getting paid by direct deposit
• Your NAICS codes, the industry codes for what you sell
• Contact information for the people who handle your registration, contracts and payments

The biggest time sink is mismatched details. “Suite 200” in one place and “#200” in another can slow things down, so copy your information exactly as the IRS has it.

The steps, at a glance

1. Create your account. Sign in through Login.gov from SAM.gov. That’s where your username and password live.
2. Choose “Get Started” and “Register Entity.” Then work through the sections in order.
3. Validate your business. SAM.gov checks that your business is who it says it is. If something doesn’t match, you may be asked for documents.
4. Answer the representations and certifications. These are standard questions about your business. Answer them carefully, because you’re confirming they’re true.
5. Submit and watch your email. Registration isn’t instant, so start well before you want to bid.

We won our first federal contract as a prime within months of our first bid. It’s very doable when you’re prepared.

Don’t let it lapse

Your registration has to be renewed every 365 days to stay active. If it expires, you can’t receive new awards until it’s active again. Set a calendar reminder a couple of months ahead, and update your registration anytime something changes, like your address or bank account.

Stuck? Free help is out there

• Federal Service Desk: the official help desk for SAM.gov problems
• APEX Accelerators: no-cost guidance for businesses new to government contracting, with offices across the country

Want to know what comes after registration? Our free Beginner’s Guide walks you through your first steps, and our free Federal Readiness Checklist shows what else to have in place.

Ready for the next step?

Registration gets you in the door. Knowing where to find opportunities is what gets you paid. If you’d like a second set of eyes on your plan, book a free 30-minute intro call.

Last reviewed: October 20, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official sources linked here.