SAM.gov registration and UEI

What it is

SAM.gov is the federal government's System for Award Management. When you register your organization, SAM.gov assigns it a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which identifies it on every federal application.

SAM.gov offers two options. Full registration lets you apply for federal grants. Getting only a UEI needs just your legal name and physical address, but SAM.gov says that "you cannot apply directly for federal awards" with a UEI alone.

Why you need it

Grants.gov says an organization "must register as an entity with SAM.gov first" before it can apply on Grants.gov. SAM.gov notes that a UEI alone may be enough in some cases, such as reporting as a sub-awardee of a federal grant.

How to get it

1. Create a SAM.gov account (it signs in through Login.gov).
2. Gather your organization's details with SAM.gov's Entity Registration Checklist.
3. Complete full registration at SAM.gov.
4. When it's active, add the registration summary with the UEI to the client's Documents, and add the expiry date so GrantAssembly reminds you to renew.

How long it takes and what it costs

Grants.gov says to allow up to 10 business days for SAM.gov registration to become active, and that it can take weeks or months if information can't be verified. Grants.gov also says "It's free to register." You don't need to pay anyone to do it for you.

Registration must be renewed every 365 days to stay active.

Common mistakes

• Starting registration a week before a federal deadline.
• Letting it lapse. You can't apply while it's inactive.
• A legal name or address that doesn't match IRS records, which slows verification.