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By: Stephanie Hagan on August 15th, 2022

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What is SAM.gov Entity Validation and Why Does it Matter to GSA Contractors?

GSA Schedule | 4 Min Read

Whether you are registering your entity for the first time or you are renewing your registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov), you need to understand how entity validation works. Some contractors are getting stuck on this process, and it can hold up their contract award or prevent them from getting their annual renewal completed on time. You might be wondering: why are we just talking about this now if SAM.gov has been around for a long time? When the federal government transitioned from the DUNS Number to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) , the entity validation process changed. This is because it can all be done in SAM.gov instead of a third party source. Here’s what you need to know about entity validation in SAM and how to complete it successfully.

What is SAM.gov Entity Validation?

Entity validation is an important process for the federal awards ecosystem—validation prevents improper payments, procurement fraud, and helps ensure the integrity of government contracts. So, how does this tie into SAM.gov? SAM uses an Entity Validation Service (EVS) to independently verify entities.

Validation is required in SAM when you:

• Register an entity for the first time
• Renew your entity registration annually
• Get a Unique Entity ID (UEI)
• Update or change your entity’s name or address

Since the switchover from DUNS to UEI happened in early 2022, some contractors are discovering they need to provide EVS documentation to verify their entity information. While this might seem like a pain, once the information is in you will not need to validate again unless some of your information changes.

How Does Entity Validation Work in SAM.gov?

When you have to validate your entity, the first step is to enter your entity and incorporation information into SAM.gov. If your entity information is not correct/doesn’t match or you can’t find your entity at all, you will need to verify your entity’s:

• Legal business name
• Physical address
• Date of incorporation
• State of incorporation or national identifier

This is done by submitting certain authorized documents to SAM, which we’ll cover below.

What Documents Are Required for SAM.gov Validation?

If you don’t see your current, correct entity legal name and physical address after entering it in SAM.gov, you must submit documentation to SAM to prove your entity information. In this case, you will be assigned an incident number. It’s important to note that only documentation certified by authorized sources is accepted. If any documents you submit are not accepted, SAM will send you an email requesting additional documentation.

SAM has provided 3 lists of acceptable documentation for:

• Proof of name and/or address
• Proof of entity start year and date
• Proof of your national identifier

You can find the full list at FSD.gov .

However, as you are probably familiar with from other government processes like going to the DMV, even if you send the right documentation, there’s a chance it could still be rejected. Here’s a list of tips for a successful validation:

• If sending a bank statement or utility bill, make sure it is less than five years old.
• Send documents that match your current, correct name and address you have provided to SAM.gov
• If your documents are in a language other than English, send both non-English-language originals and a certified English translation.
• Make sure your scans or photos do not obscure or cut off information, and are not low contrast or out of focus.
• An original application, typed document, or screenshots of a form where you entered data on a website are not accepted.
• O. boxes are not accepted for your physical address

Be sure to check your email for any updates regarding your documentation so the process isn’t held up any longer than it needs to be.

My Entity is Validated—What Happens Next?

When your entity is validated, you will receive an email. Then you can begin registering, renewing, or getting your Unique Entity ID. The next step depends on your entity’s status.

If your entity is “Pending ID Assignment”: Select “Get Started” from your Entities Workspace, then enter your entity information. This time, you should see an exact match for your entity’s name and physical address.

If your entity is in the “ID Assigned” status: Go to your entity’s workspace by selecting the “ID Assigned” bubble. If there’s an “Entity Validation” alert, select “Validate Entity” from the Actions to complete the process. You should find an exact match for your entity’s name and physical address.

If your entity is in the “Work in Progress (WIP)” registration status: you can continue registration where you left off. Select “Update” from the Actions Menu to continue. If your WIP displays an incorrect entity name or physical address, you must delete it and start a new update.

Do You Need Help with Your GSA Schedule?

Dealing with SAM registration and renewal can be just another hurdle you have to cross to get a GSA Schedule or maintain compliance with your pre-existing contract. Some contractors fall into the trap of having to pay a third party site for SAM registration or renewal, which is a commonly run scam. SAM registration or renewal should always be free.

If you have more questions about SAM entity validation, check out our blog “7 Tips for Successful Entity Validation in SAM.” If you want to talk to someone about your GSA Schedule or about getting one, feel free to reach out to one of our consultants .

About Stephanie Hagan

Stephanie Hagan is the Training and Communications Manager for Winvale. Stephanie grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and earned her Bachelor's of Arts in Journalism and Rhetoric/Communications from the University of Richmond.

3951 Westerre Parkway, Suite 250 Richmond, VA 23233 Email: [email protected] Phone: (202) 296-5505 Fax: (202) 296-5506

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Information about SAM.GOV and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Requirements

The process to obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and initial SAM.gov registration, as well as maintain the annual registration is entirely FREE.  EXIM offers assistance to our customers with this process as a service at no charge.

About SAM.gov and the Unique Entity Identifier

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that all firms seeking federal financial assistance (FFA) from the U.S. Government are required to obtain an active SAM.gov registration including the issuance of a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).  For GSA, the 12-digit UEI number replaces the 9-digit DUNS number provided by Dun & Bradstreet which were previously used by the agency to uniquely identify organizations receiving FFA.  The only method of getting a free UEI number is directly through the official government website SAM.gov (SAM is abbreviated for System for Award Management).

Unique Entity Identifier Q&A

Who needs a uei and active sam.gov registration at exim.

• Insurance products – the insured needs a UEI and active gov registration
• For Working Capital Guarantees – the guaranteed lender needs a UEI and active gov registration
• For Loan Guarantees – the guaranteed lender/facility agent needs a UEI and active SAM.gov registration
• For Direct Loans – the borrower, or special purpose vehicle (SPV) or special purpose company (SPC), needs a UEI and active gov registration

What do I need to know before I apply for a UEI and active SAM.gov registration?

It is the customer’s responsibility to visit the SAM.gov website (https://sam.gov) , create and maintain a user account, and apply for a UEI and SAM.gov registration.  Registration is for Federal Financial Assistance Award only.

The name and address associated with your account should match your EXIM transaction(s). The UEI and SAM.gov registration is unique to an entity at a specific address.

Review the EXIM Bank Client Workbook to understand the required information for obtaining a UEI and completing the registration process.

What’s the application process to obtain a UEI and SAM.gov registration?

The following is an overview of the process for U.S. and Non-U.S. entities.

• The first time SAM.gov is accessed, the user must select “Sign In” and they will be taken to the Login.gov account page and “Create an account”.
• Login.gov (https://login.gov/) allows an individual to create login credentials (email, password, and 2-factor authentication method) that they can use to sign into multiple U.S. government websites such as SAM.gov and the Federal Service Desk (FSD.gov)
• Once back in SAM.gov, the user profile needs to be completed
• The person who will be acting as your Entity Administrator is the one who should create these login credentials.
• Do not proceed until you complete this step.
• You must have completed the previous step to get a SAM.gov login and have a profile.
• Though it is possible to request a Unique Entity ID without doing the full SAM.gov registration, EXIM applicants/participants are required to do the full registration.
• After selecting “Get Started” from the home page, select “Create New Entity” on the next page
• “I want to do business”… “Directly with the U.S. federal government”
• “Select the answer the best fits your intentions today:” – “Apply for federal financial assistance”
• Federal government
• 083 – EXPORT-IMPORT BANK OF THE U.S.
• Select “Financial Assistance”
• If your business intends to bid on federal government contracts to provide goods and/or services, you must Select “All Awards”
• Since the registration involves multiple steps/screens, it is ok to save work in progress and come back to complete it in another session. Your registration data entry is completed when you “Submit”.
• When you have an Active registration (UEI and annual registration expiration date), please email the information to [email protected] so we may record it in your EXIM account record.
• The Entity Administrator is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of an entity registration in SAM. An entity registration must be renewed every 365 days in order to remain active and will expire if it is not updated in a timely manner.  An expired registration may affect the ability to do business with the Federal government.

Can I see my Entity Status in SAM.gov?

The Entity Administrator can select “Workspace” in the menu bar (next to “Sign Out”) and the various UEI/Registration statuses are shown.  These are shown as widgets/bubbles and a “1” indicates the entity status.

• Active Registration – A UEI has been assigned and the registration process has been completed, and the expiration date is one year after the date the registration was submitted
• ID Assigned – A UEI has been assigned, but the registration process has not been started
• Inactive Registration – A UEI has been assigned and there was an active registration, but it has expired and must be renewed
• Pending ID Assignment – The entity is in the Entity Validation process and a Federal Service Desk (FSD) incident is being reviewed
• Work in Progress Registration – The registration process has been started but additional information must be provided
• Submitted Registration – All the required registration information has been entered and the final validations are being done

My UEI has been assigned.  Do I need to do anything else?

You must complete the SAM.gov Registration Process (registration for Federal Financial Assistance Award only).

To complete the registration process after your UEI is assigned, proceed with the following steps:

• In your SAM.gov workspace, select “ID Assigned”. Click on the “1” in the “ID Assigned” widget/bubble.
• Select “Register” from the entity’s actions menu (the three vertical dots) in your Entity’s workspace.
• Complete the required sections of the registration Select “Submit”.

Once the registration application is submitted, it can take up to 10 business days for your registration to become active. An email will be sent to confirm an active registration.  You can also track the status of your registration by clicking “Check Entity Status” on the SAM.gov home page.  You will be required to enter your UEI to obtain your status.

I submitted my SAM.gov registration.  What happens next?  

Once the registration is submitted, the SAM.gov system will perform two additional validations:  IRS verification and CAGE Code validation (for “All Awards” only).  After those validations are completed, the SAM registration will be activated. 

It can take up to ten business days from submission for a company’s registration to be activated.  To check registration status, log into SAM.gov and click on “Check Entity Status” on the SAM.gov homepage. 

If the registration is stopped by the IRS and/or CAGE code validations:

• For an IRS discrepancy, the validation is checking to ensure that the taxpayer EIN, company name and address provided in the “IRS Consent” section of the registration matches the taxpayer EIN, company name and address provided on your recent tax returns. You will have to return to SAM.gov to update your “Work In Progress” registration and change the information to match exactly what is listed on your company’s most recent tax return.
• For CAGE code discrepancies, the SAM.gov system is verifying that the company name and address provided on your SAM registration matches the address listed with the Department of Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). You might receive an email from the CAGE system with a request for information or validation. It is essential that you act on this email within 3 calendar days. For questions related to this situation, please contact (877) 352-2255.  You may be required to return to SAM.gov to update your “Work In Progress” registration.

Does my UEI and/or SAM.gov registration expire?

An assigned UEI does not expire. A SAM.gov registration is valid for 1 year after the registration submission date. A UEI without an Active SAM.gov registration is not acceptable to do business with EXIM.

You can view your entity’s registration activation and expiration dates through the SAM.gov website.

The Entity Administrator will receive emails from SAM.gov at 60 days, 30 days, and 15 days prior to the expiration date reminding them to select to renew your registration. Renewal is an active process; the entity administrator must login to their SAM.gov account, select “Renew Entity”, and follow the steps to submit your renewal request.

As of September 2023, EXIM will also send reminder emails to the primary policy/guarantee contact at 45 days, 20 days, and 10 days prior to the expiration date.

I have a UEI but my SAM.gov registration is expired.  What should I do?

If you are the Entity Administrator, log in to your SAM.gov account and select the “Inactive Registration” in your workspace. Click on the “1” in the “Inactive Registration” widget/bubble.

Select “Update” from the entity’s actions menu (the three vertical dots) in your Entity’s Workspace.

Provide the required information to re-validate and re-register your Entity.

If you are not the Entity Administrator for your company’s SAM.gov account, you will need to coordinate with the Entity Administrator to gain access to get the registration reactivated.

I cannot identify our company’s Entity Administrator.  What should I do?

SAM.gov requires an entity administrator to handle the maintenance of a company’s registration. If the entity administrator is unknown or no longer with the company, a notarized letter is required to update the assignment of the entity administrator. Select this GSAFSD Tier 0 Knowledge Base - How can I become the new administrator for our entity registration? to navigate to FSD.gov for the steps required to request an update to the entity administrator’s designation. The necessary form to complete is also included with the link provided above.  Template 1 – Single Entity will meet the needs of most EXIM customers.

My policy is up for renewal.  Do I need a UEI and active SAM.gov registration?

Yes. You must maintain an active SAM.gov registration through the life of your transaction with EXIM.

I need to amend my transaction.  Do I need a UEI and active SAM.gov registration?

What is the federal service desk (fsd).

It is a website for those who make, receive, and manage federal awards.  It provides support for government-wide systems required by federal policy.

For EXIM customer purposes, this site is where you can track any FSD tickets that are generated as part of obtaining a UEI or managing your SAM.gov registration.  The login credentials for accessing FSD.gov are the same as those used to log in to SAM.gov. 

FSD tickets will be created for two reasons:

• To validate your entity if matching information is not found in the Entity Validation Database. This requires the uploading of documentation to show your entity’s legal name at the physical address you entered and/or the date and state of your entity’s incorporation.
• To request the designation of a new Entity Administrator.   

What do I do if I have a pending Federal Service Desk (FSD) ticket?

You will receive email updates, such as notifications about what the issue is, how to resolve it, and when it is resolved. For more information, refer to the FSD.gov gsafsd_kb_category - GSA Federal Service Desk Service Portal

Who do I call if I need further assistance with my FSD ticket?

The FSD Help Desk number is (866) 606-8220. When you reach the FSD Help Desk, you will be asked to provide the email address and/or phone number associated with your user account. Be sure to have this information available.

Another way to obtain status of your ticket is to log into FSD.gov, select “My Incidents” in the upper right-hand corner and view the status of your ticket.

I received an email that my FSD ticket has been resolved.  Now what do I do?

The FSD ticket resolution does not update your entity’s information. You must login to SAM.gov and restart from the step where the ticket was issued. See below for common touchpoints where ticket resolution occurs:

• Entity Verification has been completed – Log in to SAM.gov and select “Get Started” to reinitiate the UEI assignment/registration process.
• Entity Administrator assignment has been completed – Log in to SAM.gov and select the “Inactive Registration” in your workspace. Click on the “1” in the “Inactive Registration” widget/bubble. Select “Update” from the entity’s actions menu (the three vertical dots) in your Entity’s Workspace.  Provide the required information to re-validate and re-register your Entity.

Are there companies who provide SAM.gov registration services assistance? 

If you are located in the U.S. and its outlying areas, you can get FREE support from your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), an official resource for government contracting assistance.  Go to http://www.aptac-us.org/ to find your closes PTAC.

There are vendors who provide support for obtaining the UEI and initial registration, as well as the annual registration renewal for a fee.  Please see the Client Workbook/Resources to Help section. 

I would like to make an appointment with a member of the EXIM UEI Assistance Support Team.  How do I do that?

Please click on the link below to make an appointment:

• https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/[email protected]/bookings/

The UEI Assistance Support Team works with EXIM customers by utilizing the Microsoft Teams Screen Share functionality and “sitting with” the customer as they go through the SAM.gov process together.

Do I still need a DUNS Number?  

Yes.  A DUNS number is required for the underwriting credit check.

While in SAM.gov and working  on my UEI/SAM.gov registration  I was presented with a screen and/or pop-up that concerned me.   What should I do?   

If you can, take a screen shot and then contact the UEI Assistance Support Team.  Or, schedule an appointment and have a member of the team sitting with you as you repeat the steps.

I don’t see my questions answered here.  Who do I contact for additional information?

Please contact the EXIM UEI Assistance Support Team:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: (800) 565-3946 / (202) 565-3946 / TDD (202) 565-3377 – Option #4
• Appointment: See previous FAQ

Tips for SAM.gov Entity Validation Support

On April 4, 2022, the federal government implemented a new process in SAM.gov to validate entities as a first step in requesting a Unique Entity ID and for completing a SAM.gov entity registration. This entity validation process includes checking that your entity name and address match. 

If your entity name and address match what is displayed in sam.gov, you can continue to request a unique entity id and, if needed, complete an entity registration. , if you do not get a name and address match , then you must create an incident (which is basically a help ticket) directly from sam.gov and attach the documents required to prove the information you entered is correct.  , we review these entity validation help tickets in the order they were received. due to extremely high demand, it is taking longer than anticipated to complete this review. we will respond through the ticket if we have any questions. , you can help. please only update your entity registration if you need to change information.  very few entities with existing registrations actually need to go through this entity validation process right now. , remember, you   do not need to update your entity registration to get a unique entity id. it is already assigned and part of your entity registration. follow these steps if you need help finding your unique entity id., here are answers to some of your questions and a few useful tips about the new process:.

Do I need to update my entity registration and go through this new entity validation right now? No. If you have an active entity registration, you will validate your name and address in SAM.gov when you go through the annual renewal process. Unless your registration is expiring soon, you most likely do not need to update your entity registration.  You can locate your expiration date by searching for your entity registration in SAM.gov or viewing it from your Workspace.  

What do I need to do if there is no match? If you receive a no match message on the Validate Entity Information step, that means you must use the Create Incident button directly in SAM.gov to request entity validation support and attach the required documentation which proves your entity’s legal business name and physical address.  

What documentation is required for entity name or address validation?  

When you create the incident, fully describe your problem in the text box and attach one or more documents that prove your entity’s legal business name and physical address to validate your entity information. The supporting documents can be:

Do I need to create an incident in SAM.gov if my legal business name or physical address do not match what is displayed in SAM.gov?  Yes. You will need to use the Create Incident button on the Validate Entity Information page to create an incident through SAM.gov to update that information. Here are some helpful hints to get the best results:

• Always include the required documentation.   We cannot process your ticket without the required documentation.  Make sure that the documentation submitted supports your requested change.  Any tickets submitted without documentation will be closed and you will be required  to create a new incident with documentation.  
• Only create one incident .  Creating multiple incidents does not expedite our handling of your issue and actually slows down the overall process.  If you received a ticket number, which will look like INC-GSAFSD1234567, you should not create another incident in SAM.gov.  
• Only create entity validation tickets through SAM.gov. Do not use the Create Incident button in SAM.gov for any issue not related to your entity name and address validation.  If you need assistance with any other part of the SAM.gov entity registration process, go to our supporting service desk at FSD.gov to search for answers or create a ticket. 
• Do not attach entity validation documents to an FSD.gov ticket. Remember, this entity validation process goes through SAM.gov. You provide the name and address documentation, as required, to the ticket in SAM.gov. Do not, under any circumstances, attach name and address-related documentation to a regular FSD.gov ticket. If a service desk agent sees additional documentation is required, the agent will tell you how to attach the documentation in SAM.gov.  

What can I expect once I submit an entity validation ticket?   Given the current volume of requests, your ticket will take at least several days to process. Tickets are handled in the order received. Contacting the Federal Service Desk (FSD) via phone or chat or creating another incident in SAM.gov will not make the review go faster. Service desk agents cannot expedite your ticket review or provide you more information than you can see in the ticket.  Follow these instructions to check your ticket status or view processing notes.

Remember, just because the government is now using the Unique Entity ID does not mean you need to update your entity registration. An active registration is valid until it expires. You can help others who are just getting started, or who do need to update their information, by waiting until your renewal is required.

As always, we invite you to learn more about the Unique Entity ID transition by reviewing our available resources.

Call USBRI Help Desk:

• Check SAM Registration Status & Expiration Date
• Register a New SAM Registration
• Renew SAM Registration
• Non Profit Sam Registration
• What is System for Award Management (SAM)
• Federal Grants
• Federal Small Business Certification Options
• Woman-Owned Small Business Certification (WOSB/EDWOSB) Eligibility
• Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification (VOSB/SDVOSB) Eligibility
• HUBZone Certification & Eligibility
• 8(a) Program Minority Owned Small Business Certification Eligibility
• FEMA Disaster Relief & Response Contracts
• Small Business Contracts – Simplified Acquisition
• NAICS Code Look Up Tool
• Small Business Certification Eligibility Calculator
• HUBZone Map Lookup Tool
• SAM Registration SCAMS & Companies
• Government Capabilities Statement
• USBRI Government Contracting Services
• Registration Assistance & Filing Services
• Request Additional Information
• About USBRI

Why is my SAM Registration pending ID assignment?

If you login to SAM and your SAM Registration has a pending ID assignment, that means you do NOT have an active SAM Registration. There are a few steps to completing the SAM Registration and getting a UEI is the first one. If the UEI assignment is pending, you need to be uploading the proper documentation.

USBRI has been offering filing assistance for SAM Registrations for over 12 years. if you have any questions or need additional assistance, reach out to the USBRI Help Desk at 1-888-646-9998 and someone will answer your questions.

You may access the SAM Registration lookup tool by clicking below

Need to Register or Renew?

If your SAM Registration is within 60 days of expiring, begin the renewal process NOW. Processing times are taking longer due to new policies so get in touch with a CRS today by calling the USBRI Help Desk at 1-888-646-9998. You can also browse the USBRI Services page by clicking below to learn more.

• Legal Business Name *
• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) or CAGE Code
• Last Name *
• First Name *
• Daytime Phone *
• Email This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Toll Free: (833)336-3988

7 of the Most Common SAM Registration Mistakes – and How to Avoid Them

by Jason Bortz | May 10, 2021 | Press , SAM Registration

Avoid being among the 120,000 businesses with SAM.gov registration issues.

You must register your company with the federal government’s vendor database to get government contracts. It is called the System for Award Management (SAM). Registration is free. You do not need help to register, but many choose to get assistance to avoid mistakes and better position themselves to market to government customers.

SAM.gov registration issues are much more common than you might think. Shockingly, an analysis from Georgia Tech found that 1 in 5 registrations within SAM contain errors. The university’s research revealed that an estimated 120,000 companies’ records had mistakes. (Keep in mind that figure only relates to live registrations, not including ones that are flagged for review by the government.)

This piece looks at some of the most common mistakes.

Top SAM Registration Issues to Avoid

Mistake #1: thinking user account creation amounts to registration.

Registration is not on an individual basis but on an entity basis. However, an individual must first create a user account to register an entity in SAM.

Typically when new contractors think they are registered but are irretrievable via public search, they have not registered. They have simply created a user account and thought the process was complete.

Mistake #2: Incorrectly identifying the company as disadvantaged

One of the two most problematic SAM.gov registration issues is errant self-certification as a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB). Regardless if you register this way in error, it is considered misrepresentation and carries penalties. Unfortunately, it is also easy to make this mistake.

Your business must be owned 51 percent or more by economically and socially disadvantaged people to be classified as an SDB. Five percent or more of federal contract money is to go to Small Disadvantaged Businesses, per government objectives.

It is incredibly common for business owners to register incorrectly as SDBs, per the Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) . Be careful, advises PTAC, because the design of the registration confuses many registrants into accidentally stating that they are disadvantaged.

Mistake #3: When entering the number of employees and total receipts, failing to include affiliates

Many companies are small and do not have affiliated businesses, so this concern is irrelevant. However, if you are larger, this miscalculation is the other of the SAM.gov registration issues (along with Mistake #2) that can be the most problematic.

It is also extremely common . In fact, it might even be more likely than not that a company will make this SAM registration mistake. If you are a large business, even if via affiliation, you need to be clear that you are not a small business – as indicated by your staff and receipt numbers.

If you are unsure if you should count another organization as an affiliate, you can look over the Small Business Administration’s rules on the subject.

Mistake #4: Not using the legal business name to register

A DBA (“doing business as”), fictitious name, or trade name is an assumed business name rather than a legal name. That distinction is important because SAM registration can only be completed with your legal business name – so that the contract is valid.

The federal government verifies that your legal business name is correct via the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) record from Dun & Bradstreet. Make certain your D&B record is accurate before SAM registration. If it needs correction in D&B, you will have to wait 1-2 business days to register to avoid problems.

Note that sole proprietors should enter their legal business name in the format “[last name], [first name] [middle initial].”

Mistake #5: Failing to respond rapidly and accurately to the CAGE code office

Various SAM.gov registration issues can trigger an email from the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code office. The subject line of the email will start out “RESPONSE REQUIRED” and include your DUNS number.

This email could arise because a previous building tenant has a registration with a matching physical address or because another company has a similar name to yours. Whatever the case, you must follow the instructions within the CAGE office email exactly – and you have just three business days to do so.

Mistake #6: Incorrect completion of the Automated Clearing House (ACH) “U.S. Phone” field

Of all the SAM.gov registration issues, this one may occur more often than any other.

People incorrectly put in their number, whether for their personal or business phone, rather than for their bank. It is important to input a number for your bank – specifically for its ACH department or coordinator – rather than entering your phone number. This number is necessary so that the government can resolve any problems that might occur during EFT transfer (so you can get paid).

Mistake #7: Following submission, not following up with an authorized administrator letter

Physical letters that have been officially notarized are now part of the registration process. Since this requirement has only been around since March 2018, neglecting to send the letter is one of the most frequent SAM.gov registration issues.

A partner, officer, executive, or another individual with signatory authority must sign the letter and send it to the Federal Service Desk (FSD) . The letter designates the individual who will be the SAM authorized administrator. Once your registration is active, this letter must be received by the FSD within 60 days.

Getting The Help You Need

If you want to form a business relationship with the federal government and secure contracts, the first step is correct SAM registration. While you can complete the registration yourself, it often results in errors such as the above. That’s why a consultant can be invaluable. At Select GCR, our strategic involvement simplifies the overall process and allows business owners to focus efforts on their principal business activities. Contact us today to discover how we can help you.

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An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov

A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. .

SAM.gov Overview

SAM.gov and FEMA GO have a working relationship. Automated sweeps of SAM.gov are conducted nightly by FEMA GO to pull over updated information.

SAM.gov is a free site where entities go to register to do business with the U.S government.

Additionally, SAM.gov is where entities can update, renew, check status of, and search for entity registration.

When using FEMA GO entities MUST have an active SAM.gov registered account in order to apply to FEMA through the FEMA GO System.

The FEMA GO System will validate SAM.gov prior to any funding from FEMA through FEMA GO.

How to Register on SAM.gov

To register in SAM.gov, at a minimum, you will need the following information:

• Name of organization
• Organization phone number
• Organization eBIZ POC
• Organization email
• Unique Entity Identifier

After your registration is complete, FEMA GO will automatically import and add certain information from SAM.gov. Please be sure to check the information for accuracy.

Any updates that are made to your SAM record may take up to 48 hours to reflect in FEMA GO, this can impact your ability to begin an application until after the sync is complete.

Your SAM.gov account:

• Will generate a UEI number.
• Must remain active throughout the evaluation process.
• Is only active for one year and must be renewed annually.
• Has an expiration date.

NOTE : Registering with SAM.gov is required to start and apply for FEMA Grants.

Only the eBIZ POC can add you to an organization in FEMA GO. For more information go to:

• SAM.gov Help
• GSA Federal Service Desk Service Portal

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

• Explore sell to government
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• Per Diem Lookup

Unique Entity ID is Here

The unique entity id is here here’s what you need to know.

The Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov is now the authoritative identifier for those doing business with the federal government.  The DUNS Number is no longer valid for federal award identification.

All of the Integrated Award Environment (IAE) systems—SAM.gov, eSRS, FSRS, FPDS, FAPIIS, and CPARS—as well as all other GSA systems, are now only using the Unique Entity ID to identify entities.

The Unique Entity ID is generated in SAM.gov.  If you are registered in SAM.gov (active or not), you already have a Unique Entity ID.  It is viewable at SAM.gov.  If you are new to SAM.gov and will be registering for the first time, you will get your Unique Entity ID (SAM) during registration.  

 Here is a summary of what you need to know: 

• The DUNS Number was removed, and the Unique Entity ID is now the identifier of record for all entities in IAE systems.
• SAM.gov generates the Unique Entity ID, which is used in federal award systems.
• SAM.gov searches, contract data, ad hoc reports, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), and extracts use the Unique Entity ID. You can no longer find the DUNS number in SAM.gov searches, views, or extracts.
• Entities make updates to their legal business name and physical address through SAM.gov. If you need to submit documentation to validate your entity, monitor the status of your ticket in your SAM.gov Workspace or in the Federal Service Desk (FSD.gov).
• Entities registering for the first time are assigned a Unique Entity ID as part of the registration process.

Here are frequently asked questions about Unique Entity ID and entity validation.

Keep reading for more detail based on the type of work you do in SAM.gov.

For Non-Federal Users: 

Entities update their entity information for federal award purposes through their SAM.gov Workspace.  You need to validate your entity information in SAM.gov when renewing your registration or changing your legal business name or address. Learn how to update your entity information here .

Entities who are prime awardees reporting on subawardees in FSRS should use the subawardee’s Unique Entity ID. You can search SAM.gov for another entity’s information. 

Those new to SAM.gov can register their entity or just get a Unique Entity ID by signing in to SAM.gov and creating a new entity. If you want to bid directly on contracts or grants from the federal government, choose an All Awards or Financial Assistance registration type. If you are a subawardee who just needs a Unique Entity ID for subaward reporting, choose Unique Entity ID only . 

Remember, the Unique Entity ID in SAM.gov  does not affect CAGE codes .

For Federal Users Managing Federal Entities: 

Federal entities registering in SAM.gov for the first time get a Unique Entity ID during the registration process. Make updates your federal entity information at SAM.gov.

For Federal Awarding Officials:

To search for an entity in SAM.gov, you can use the entity’s legal business name, CAGE code, or Unique Entity ID. You can not use the DUNS Number to search entities or exclusions.

For Federal and Non-Federal Users who Use SAM.gov data:

SAM.gov APIs and extracts use the Unique Entity ID.  If they contain the fields for DUNS Numbers, the fields are empty.  

If you discover your saved searches  or contract data ad hoc reports   aren’t returning information as expected, make sure you replace the DUNS Number fields with Unique Entity ID fields.  

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Don’t have a Unique Entity ID yet? Here’s how to get one .

Learn more about the Unique Entity ID here .

IAE News and Updates

Guide for State and Local Governments Applying for Federal Financial Assistance [PDF - 84 KB]

Follow Us on GSA Interact to be Notified of IAE Updates

A unique number for businesses and required in order to do business with the federal government. By April of 2022, GSA is expected to automatically assign entities registered in SAM a unique entity identifier.

PER DIEM LOOK-UP

1 choose a location.

Error, The Per Diem API is not responding. Please try again later.

No results could be found for the location you've entered.

Rates for Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Territories and Possessions are set by the Department of Defense .

Rates for foreign countries are set by the State Department .

2 Choose a date

Rates are available between 10/1/2021 and 09/30/2024.

The End Date of your trip can not occur before the Start Date.

Traveler reimbursement is based on the location of the work activities and not the accommodations, unless lodging is not available at the work activity, then the agency may authorize the rate where lodging is obtained.

Unless otherwise specified, the per diem locality is defined as "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city, including independent entities located within those boundaries."

Per diem localities with county definitions shall include "all locations within, or entirely surrounded by, the corporate limits of the key city as well as the boundaries of the listed counties, including independent entities located within the boundaries of the key city and the listed counties (unless otherwise listed separately)."

When a military installation or Government - related facility(whether or not specifically named) is located partially within more than one city or county boundary, the applicable per diem rate for the entire installation or facility is the higher of the rates which apply to the cities and / or counties, even though part(s) of such activities may be located outside the defined per diem locality.