UEI NUMBER & SAM REGISTRATION
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Who needs a UEI number?
Any entity that wishes to do business with the federal government and who will receive federal funds or a subaward
must have a UEI number issued via www.SAM.gov as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov. Individuals are not
required to have a UEI or be registered in SAM.gov.
How much will it cost to get a UEI number or to register in SAM.gov?
Obtaining the new, government-owned UEI number is FREE for all federal grant and agreements, and contract
applicants, through the registration process in SAM.gov.
How do I obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number?
All entities/organizations applying for grants (except individuals) or receiving a federal assistance or non-assistance
award must register in www.SAM.gov to generate a UEI number. (See SAM Registration, Page 3)
My organization is not in the United States. Does my organization still need a UEI number?
UEI numbers are required for all organizations, foreign or domestic, when doing business with the Federal
Government. In rare instances, a foreign cooperator whose award or subaward is less than $25,000 can request a
waiver from ARS by communicating with the Financial Management and Agreements Division Authorized
Departmental Officer. The request will be reviewed against the exceptions in 2 CFR Part 25.
My organization has more than one UEI number. How do I know which UEI to use?
UEI numbers are issued by the physical location of the organization. Therefore, some organizations may have
multiple UEI numbers. Use the UEI number associated with the location of the organization that is doing business
with the Federal awarding Agency.
How do I find out if my organization already has a UEI number?
Your chief fiscal officer, treasurer, business manager, executive director, or accountant is likely to be able to provide
your organization’s UEI number, particularly if your organization is already registered in SAM. If your organization is
already registered in SAM, your UEI has already been assigned and is viewable in your SAM.gov entity registration.
SAM created UEIs for all existing registrations, both active and expired.
If your organization has never been registered in SAM, then your chief fiscal officer, treasurer, business manager,
executive director, or accountant will be provided a UEI through the registration process at SAM.GOV.
SAM Registration Requirement
What is SAM?
The System for Award Management (SAM) is an official website of the U.S. government and a large central database
that includes information about all government contractors and entities receiving grant and cooperative
agreements. It is managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) and SAM.gov is free for entities to register
to do business with the U.S. government.
Who must register with SAM?
For entities to do business with any federal government agency, receives federal funds, they must complete the SAM
registration. Once the SAM registration has been completed, the government assigns the entity a Commercial and
Government Entities Code, or CAGE Code, and a UEI number. All entities must also register with SAM before a proposal
can be submitted and before an agency-funded agreement or contract can be issued. If an organization plans to issue
a contract or sub-award, those entities must also be registered in SAM.gov and have a UEI number.