U.S. Federal Contracting Identifiers: DUNS, UEI, and CAGE Guide

Compiled & reviewed by the EntityCodes Editorial Team (Tech Labs FZ LLC) · Data verified: 2026-06-28

Securing U.S. federal contracts and grant awards requires obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code.

Required Identifiers for SAM.gov Registration

Before bidding on federal solicitations, businesses must register in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) ^[1]. The registration process issues two primary identifiers required under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR):

Unique Entity ID (UEI): A 12-character alphanumeric code used as the official entity identifier for federal financial transactions ^[1].
CAGE Code: A 5-character identifier assigned by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to verify physical facility locations performing defense and civilian contracts ^[2].

These codes are required to establish corporate eligibility, receive invoice payments, and verify security clearances ^[3].

Federal Procurement & Contractor Registries

To support the core compliance tasks detailed in this guide on U.S. Federal Contracting Identifiers: DUNS, UEI, and CAGE Guide, compliance officers and corporate attorneys must consult several government contractor registries. CAGE codes are issued and verified through the Defense Logistics Agency Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) CAGE Search and Registration. The central platform for all entity registrations is the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) System for Award Management (SAM.gov) Unique Entity ID Guide. Details regarding the unique entity ID format are outlined in the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) GSA Unique Entity Identifier Transition Guidance. Procurement programs and set-asides are regulated under the Acquisition.gov Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19 - Small Business Programs. SAM registration requirements are codified under Acquisition.gov FAR Subpart 4.11 - System for Award Management Registration, while CAGE code reporting requirements are codified under Acquisition.gov FAR Subpart 4.18 - Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE). Foreign companies must register following the NATO Codification System (AC/135) NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Registration Rules. The official timeline for retiring legacy numbers is published in the Federal Register Transition from DUNS Number to Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Notice. Registration workflows are checked via the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) SAM.gov Entity Registration Checklist and Directives, and audit integrity guidelines are outlined in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) Federal Contractor Registry: Improvements Needed in SAM.gov.

💡 Expert Guidance: Federal Identifier Registration Delays

Waiting until a solicitation is published to register for a CAGE code, UEI, or SAM.gov profile is a major bottleneck. The validation process, which involves IRS tax matching and physical address checks, can take up to 4 weeks. Contract bids cannot be submitted without an active, validated UEI in the registry.

Deep-Dive Guides in this Category

The DUNS to UEI Transition: Key Information for Contractors - Explains the transition from the proprietary D&B DUNS identifier to the GSA-owned Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) on SAM.gov.
How to Request and Maintain a CAGE Code for Federal Awards - Step-by-step instructions on requesting a CAGE code from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and aligning registration details.
SAM.gov Registration Guide: Unique Entity ID Setup and Requirements - A practical walkthrough detailing the registration process on SAM.gov, verification steps, and maintaining active status.
Understanding NCAGE Codes for International (Non-U.S.) Entities - An overview of CAGE requirements for foreign firms, explaining how to secure an NCAGE code before registering on SAM.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

What codes do I need to bid on government contracts? ▾

You need a Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov and a CAGE code from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).

Is SAM.gov registration free? ▾

Yes. Registering on SAM.gov, obtaining a UEI, and receiving a CAGE code are completely free services provided by the U.S. government.

What are the three primary identifiers required for U.S. federal contractors? ▾

The three primary identifiers are: the Unique Entity ID (UEI) generated by SAM.gov, the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency, and the IRS Employer Identification Number (EIN) for tax validation.

Who assigns CAGE codes to federal contractors? ▾

CAGE codes are assigned and administered by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Program Office to verify the physical location and facility details of entities transacting with the government.

Is a fee required to obtain federal contracting identifiers? ▾

No, obtaining a Unique Entity ID (UEI) on SAM.gov and receiving a CAGE code from the DLA are completely free services provided by the U.S. government. Beware of third-party consultants charging fees for these registrations.

How does the UEI formatting differ from the legacy DUNS number? ▾

The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric code that excludes the letters I and O to prevent transcription errors, while the retired DUNS number was a proprietary 9-digit purely numeric code owned by Dun & Bradstreet.

What is the purpose of the NATO NCAGE code? ▾

The NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) code is a specialized identifier required for international (non-U.S.) entities bidding on federal contracts, which must be secured before registering in SAM.gov.

Can an individual operate as a federal contractor using a Social Security Number? ▾

Yes, sole proprietors can register in SAM.gov and obtain a UEI using their Social Security Number (SSN) as their Taxpayer Identification Number, though obtaining an EIN is highly recommended for privacy.

How do federal identifiers support agency payment systems? ▾

Federal systems link your bank account information and EFT details directly to your Unique Entity ID (UEI) and CAGE code inside the SAM.gov registry to ensure secure electronic invoice payments.

What is the role of address validation in federal entity registrations? ▾

The GSA uses third-party registry systems to validate that the physical business address declared on SAM.gov is a legitimate, deliverable address. Address discrepancies will block the assignment of a UEI.