CAGE code registration guide to unlock federal contracts and streamline SAM enrollment for small businesses — GovScout

TL;DR

• Get a CAGE code when you register your SAM.gov entity. This code helps you bid, win awards, and get paid by federal agencies.
• Use correct legal documents, get your Unique Entity ID (UEI) in SAM, and finish your registration. DLA then adds a CAGE code for you.
• Keep your SAM record active. Update your details and use tools like GovScout to find set-asides and draft proposal outlines that meet rules.
• Stop delays. Check that legal names, addresses, and banking details match and that your registration is current.

Context — why this matters now
The CAGE code links your business to federal buyers. It verifies vendors, helps match certifications, and sends payments. Agencies check your SAM record closely. A clear and active CAGE code plus a correct SAM record let your business work with the government. Errors in your CAGE or SAM record can drop your bid or slow a contract.

How to do it — step-by-step

Step 0 — Know your CAGE code terms and why you need one
• A CAGE code is a unique tag that the Defense Logistics Agency assigns to a business.
• For non-U.S. vendors, an NCAGE is given.
• This tag helps match offers, check past work, and confirm security status. It is needed for awards and payments.

Key sources:
• DLA CAGE/NCAGE program: https://cage.dla.mil/
• SAM.gov entity registration: https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration
• USAspending.gov award data: https://www.usaspending.gov/

Step 1 — Gather your documents and info (avoid delays)
SAM checks that names, TIN/EIN, and addresses match. A mismatch can force a manual extra step.
• Your legal business name as in your IRS records (EIN/TIN).
• UEI from SAM.gov (see instructions next).
• Business type and ownership papers (e.g. LLC Operating Agreement, Articles of Incorporation).
• Physical and mailing addresses.
• NAICS codes (one main code and up to 9 more).
• PSC/FSC codes you will work under.
• EFT banking info (routing and account details).
• Contact names, emails, and phone numbers.
• Past performance details (agency contracts, amounts, dates).

Step 2 — Get your Unique Entity ID (UEI) in SAM.gov (UEI comes before CAGE)
How:

1. Create a Login.gov account if you need one.
2. On SAM.gov, ask for a UEI or claim one you already have.
   This step is key because the UEI now stands in for the old DUNS. You need it to finish your registration.

Reference: SAM.gov UEI guidance — https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration

Step 3 — Complete your SAM.gov registration (this triggers CAGE assignment)

How:

1. Sign in to SAM.gov via your Login.gov account.
2. Begin a new registration. Enter your legal name and TIN/EIN exactly.
3. Add your core data: UEI, physical address, NAICS codes, and other details. Leave the CAGE field blank. DLA will fill it later.
4. Submit your representations and certifications as required in Section K.
   This step makes your record the one that agencies use. When SAM is complete, DLA sends you a CAGE code.

Step 4 — Wait for the CAGE code and check its accuracy
• DLA sends a CAGE code once SAM confirms your details. Look at your SAM Entity Management page to see your code.
• If you are not in the U.S., follow the NCAGE steps at https://cage.dla.mil/.
Checking your CAGE code makes sure that federal systems can see your record correctly.

Step 5 — Update your SAM and CAGE data often
• Renew your SAM registration at least every year or when key details change (such as a new address, change in ownership, or bank info).
• Make updates within 30 days when important changes occur.
• Watch your SAM expiration date and use alerts.
Your active status is the gate that lets you win awards and get paid. Officials check SAM status during bid reviews.

Evaluator Insight
Contracting staff check for an active SAM record and a matching CAGE code. If your SAM record is out of date or your CAGE code does not match your legal name, your bid may be dropped before review. A correct SAM record and CAGE code mark you as a qualified vendor.

Common step-by-step example (short)
• A small IT firm gets a Login.gov account.
• It then requests a UEI from SAM.
• The firm completes SAM registration with NAICS codes 541512 and 541511.
• It submits the required representations and certifications.
• DLA sends a CAGE code in about 1–7 days.
• The firm confirms the CAGE in SAM.
• It then uses GovScout to search for solicitations that match its NAICS and CAGE for more work.

Mini case example — Blue Ridge IT Services (SMB)
• Blue Ridge needed a bid for a set-aside with the VA but lacked a CAGE code and had no active SAM record.
• They used their EIN and made a UEI on SAM, which took about 30 minutes.
• They registered on SAM with the IRS legal name, added EFT banking, and chose NAICS 541512 as their main code.
• DLA gave them a CAGE code in 48 hours.
• They then used GovScout to look up a VA solicitation that suited their NAICS. They saved the lead and made an outline that met the rules.
• This process let them bid and avoid disqualification from non-compliance.

Table — When a CAGE code is required (common cases)

Scenario	CAGE Required?	Why
Competitive RFP for federal services	Yes	SAM registration with a CAGE code is needed for awards and payments
GSA Schedule offer submission	Yes	GSA and agencies check SAM/CAGE data before making an award
Agency subcontracting (as a sub to prime)	Often	The prime firm needs a SAM/CAGE record from all subcontractors
Sole-source commercial purchase (micro-purchase)	Sometimes	This may depend on the agency; SAM is still used to check the vendor

Compliance Watch
Watch out for these points:
• Legal business names or EIN/TIN must match IRS records and SAM.
• Do not let your SAM registration expire when you submit a proposal.
• Banking info or codes (PSC/NAICS) must be correct.
• Clear any exclusion or debarment marks in SAM.gov.

Data Snapshot — What to check and where
• SAM.gov: Look for your entity count, registration status, and certifications. Use the SAM Entity Management pages at https://sam.gov/
• USAspending.gov: You can search award data by NAICS or agency to see which agencies buy your services. Visit https://www.usaspending.gov/
• DLA CAGE: This is the official site for the program and NCAGE for non-U.S. vendors. Go to https://cage.dla.mil/
• SBA: Find small business program details that work with SAM/CAGE at https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting
Always check SAM and the DLA CAGE site for the only official CAGE code info.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them
• Pitfall: Using a DBA name instead of your legal name.
Fix: Use the exact IRS legal name and add the DBA in separate name fields.
• Pitfall: Waiting until the last moment to register.
Fix: Begin SAM registration early as validation may take days or weeks if details do not match.
• Pitfall: Picking incorrect NAICS or PSC codes.
Fix: Look up past award data on USAspending for the correct codes in your target agency.
• Pitfall: Not updating ownership changes.
Fix: Update your SAM record within 30 days to avoid a suspension.

Quick FAQ
Q: How long does it take to get a CAGE code?
A: For U.S. businesses, DLA sends a CAGE code after SAM validates your registration. This usually takes 1–7 days when your data is correct. For international vendors, check the NCAGE info at DLA.

Q: Do subcontractors need a CAGE code?
A: Yes, most of the time. Prime contractors ask that their subcontractors have an active SAM record and a CAGE code for billing and performance records.

Q: What if my SAM record shows “Entity Invalid”?
A: Fix the error by checking your data against IRS records. Update your SAM record and submit proposals only when the status is “Active.”

Q: Does a CAGE code expire?
A: The CAGE does not expire. However, you must keep your SAM record active by renewing it at least once a year.

Q: Can GovScout help me find bids once I have a CAGE code?
A: Yes. GovScout lets you search SAM notices, save opportunities, and draft proposal outlines that meet submission rules.

Call to action
Use GovScout for SAM searches, saving leads, and drafting outlines that meet Section L/M rules. Start with a clear SAM search (/search), save your leads (/pipeline), and then draft an outline that shows your compliance (/ai-proposals).

Next steps — quick checklist
• Make a Login.gov account and get your UEI in SAM.
• Gather your legal docs (EIN, formation papers, banking info).
• Finish your SAM registration and submit the needed reps and certifications.
• Check that DLA has added your CAGE code in SAM.
• Use GovScout to see set-aside bids, save leads, and draft proposal outlines.
• Renew SAM every year and update it within 30 days of any changes.

Author bio
Written by GovScout (Cartisien Interactive), a team that has completed over 100 government and enterprise projects; CAGE 5GG89. Editorial note
This guide was checked for accuracy against primary sources like SAM.gov, DLA CAGE, USAspending.gov, and SBA.

Primary sources cited
• SAM.gov entity registration — https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration
• DLA CAGE program — https://cage.dla.mil/
• USAspending — https://www.usaspending.gov/
• SBA contracting — https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting
• Acquisition regulations — https://www.acquisition.gov/

Meta description (150–160 chars)
Learn how to get a CAGE code with a step-by-step SAM.gov guide, required documents, common pitfalls, and ways GovScout helps bid and win work.

SEO tags
CAGE code, CAGE code registration, SAM.gov, federal contracting, UEI, small business, DLA CAGE, GovScout

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About GovScout

GovScout helps SMBs and consultants win more public-sector work: search SAM.gov fast, save & track opportunities, and draft AI-assisted proposal outlines grounded in the RFP.

Contact: hello@govscout.io

Editorial Standards
We cite primary sources (SAM.gov, USAspending, FAR, SBA, GSA). Posts are reviewed for compliance accuracy. We don’t fabricate figures. If a rule changes, we update.

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