What is a SAM.gov?
Also known as: System for Award Management
SAM.gov (the System for Award Management) is the U.S. government's official site for two things: registering as a federal contractor (entity registration) and finding federal contract opportunities. A vendor must have an active SAM.gov registration with a UEI to be eligible for award.
What SAM.gov is used for
- Registering your business to do work with the federal government (free).
- Getting a Unique Entity ID (UEI), which replaced the DUNS number.
- Searching and tracking federal contract opportunities and notices.
- Holding representations and certifications used in award decisions.
SAM.gov and opportunity tracking
SAM.gov publishes federal solicitations, but its native search is limited. Most capture teams pull SAM.gov data into a dedicated platform to filter by NAICS, set-aside, agency, and value, save searches, and get alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Is SAM.gov free?
Yes. Registering on SAM.gov and searching opportunities is free. Beware of third-party sites that charge to register you.
What replaced the DUNS number?
The Unique Entity ID (UEI), assigned in SAM.gov, replaced the DUNS number for federal awards in 2022.
Find these opportunities in GovPrimer
Search live SAM.gov opportunities, award data, and set-asides in one place. Free forever plan — no credit card required.