Understanding the UEI and SAM.gov: Your First Steps to Winning Government Contracts
If you're a business owner looking to enter the government contracting market, there's one essential starting point: registering with SAM.gov and securing a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). These two foundational steps are not just formalities — they are required for doing business with federal agencies and unlocking a world of local and state opportunities.
What is the UEI and Why Does it Matter?
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to every business that registers in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov). As of April 2022, the UEI replaced the DUNS number for all federal contract-related identification.
This identifier ensures:
You are recognized as a legal business entity by federal agencies.
Your business is eligible for federal grants and contracts.
Your organization can submit bids, receive awards, and be paid by the U.S. government.
Without a UEI, you cannot compete for or win federal contracts — and increasingly, state and local agencies are requiring SAM registration for grant and bid eligibility as well.
Visit SAM.gov to begin the registration process: https://sam.gov
How GovDirections Helps You Navigate the Process
At GovDirections, we know how overwhelming federal registration can feel — especially for small business owners new to the space. That’s why we’ve integrated registration guidance directly into our onboarding experience, and why our GovAdvice service includes step-by-step assistance for:
Creating your SAM.gov account
Completing your entity registration
Understanding your NAICS codes and business classifications
Uploading a powerful Capability Statement
Highlighting your past performance, key personnel, and services
We also help you verify that your UEI and SAM status are visible and accurate, a frequent issue that disqualifies otherwise eligible bidders.
The Power of Proactive Positioning
Once you’ve registered, it’s not enough to just wait for opportunity to knock. Our RFP Delivery service sends daily bid matches from federal, state, and local governments directly to your inbox — all based on the profile you create during registration.
More importantly, our GovDirections RFP Writer GPT uses your Capability Statement and Indicators of Success to evaluate each opportunity and determine if it’s worth pursuing. This tool is particularly helpful in identifying which contracts you are realistically prepared to compete for — saving you time and resources.
Final Thoughts: Don't Let Paperwork Stand in Your Way
While the UEI and SAM.gov registration process can seem bureaucratic, it’s a necessary gatekeeper to billions of dollars in available contract work. Whether you're a supplier, consultant, service provider, or construction contractor — GovDirections is here to help you find and win in the public sector.
Need help completing your SAM.gov profile?
Schedule a complimentary one-on-one session with our GovAdvice team: https://rfpdelivery.com/home/demo
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Title: What is the UEI and SAM.gov? How to Register and Start Winning Government Contracts
Description: Learn why registering with SAM.gov and getting a UEI is the first step to doing business with the government. Discover how GovDirections helps simplify the process.
Keywords: UEI, SAM.gov, Unique Entity Identifier, government contracts, GovDirections, federal contracting, SAM registration, capability statement, RFP Delivery