What Is a UEI Number and How to Get One (Free)

A UEI number is a 12-character identifier that SAM.gov assigns to a business or other entity. Get one free through SAM.gov; if you plan to bid on federal prime contracts, complete a full SAM registration.

You can request a UEI without completing full registration, but the UEI alone does not make your business eligible to bid as a federal prime contractor. The right route depends on what you need the identifier for.

What is a UEI number?

A Unique Entity ID, or UEI, is a 12-character ID assigned by SAM.gov to identify an entity doing business with the federal government. The ID helps agencies distinguish your business from other organizations, including those with similar names.

A UEI is tied to an entity record. If your company has more than one legal entity, such as a parent company and a separately registered subsidiary, each may need its own record and identifier. Use the legal business name and address associated with the entity, and check them carefully before submitting information.

A UEI is not a business license, certification, or contract award. It identifies your entity, while other requirements determine whether you can compete for a particular opportunity.

When do you need a UEI?

Federal agencies use UEIs to identify organizations in procurement and other federal processes. If you want to bid directly on a federal prime contract, you need an active, complete SAM registration. That registration includes a UEI, but receiving a UEI by itself does not complete the registration.

A contracting officer or a federal program may also ask for an entity's UEI for a specific process. Follow the instructions for that opportunity or program, since the request may call for only the identifier or for an active SAM registration.

Before looking for work, learn what SAM is and what the registration requires. You can also review open federal bids from SAM.gov, filterable by industry, state and set-aside to see what opportunities may fit your business.

How to get a UEI number for free

Start at SAM.gov. Getting a UEI and registering directly through SAM.gov costs nothing. Paid third-party registration services are not required. Take time to enter accurate entity details, since mismatched names or addresses can cause delays or create problems with your record.

SAM.gov provides a path to request a UEI without completing a full registration, as well as a path to register an entity. Choose based on your purpose. If you intend to compete for federal prime contracts, follow the full registration path rather than stopping after you receive an ID.

1. Gather your entity's legal business name, physical address, and other information requested in the SAM.gov workflow. Check that the details match your business records.
2. Go to SAM.gov and use its entity registration process. Choose the UEI-only option if you only need an identifier, or proceed with full registration if you need to bid on federal prime contracts.
3. Complete the requested information and submit it through SAM.gov. Save the UEI and any confirmation details for your records.
4. If you chose full registration, finish all required sections and check that your registration is active before relying on it for a bid.

UEI-only request or full SAM registration?

A UEI-only request gives your entity an identifier without completing all the steps needed to register as a federal contractor. This can meet a requirement that asks only for a UEI. It does not activate your entity for federal prime contracting.

Full SAM registration collects additional entity and business information and is required to bid on federal prime contracts. The process also assigns a CAGE code to US businesses through the Defense Logistics Agency. A CAGE code and a UEI serve different identification purposes.

If you are preparing to compete, review the SAM registration requirements before starting. After registration, keep track of your system for award management renewal: a SAM registration must be renewed every 365 days to remain active.

UEI number lookup

To look up an entity's UEI, search entity records on SAM.gov using the business or organization name and other available identifying details. Check the result against the entity's legal name and address. Similar names can make it easy to select the wrong record.

A lookup can help you confirm an identifier, but it does not prove that a contractor's SAM registration is active or that the entity meets a solicitation's requirements. Check the current entity record and follow the solicitation's instructions when you are preparing an offer.

If you are researching federal work, pair a UEI lookup with market research. You can find a suitable industry code with the free NAICS code lookup, then use that code and other filters to review relevant opportunities.

UEI vs. DUNS and other business identifiers

The UEI replaced the DUNS number for federal entity identification in April 2022. DUNS numbers were issued by Dun & Bradstreet; SAM.gov now assigns UEIs for free. Do not pay for a DUNS number to get a federal UEI.

Your UEI is also different from your CAGE code, Employer Identification Number, and NAICS codes. A CAGE code is assigned during SAM registration for US businesses. An EIN relates to tax administration, while NAICS codes classify the type of economic activity a business performs.

NAICS codes are six-digit industry codes, and the SBA sets a small-business size standard for each one. You may need to identify applicable NAICS codes as part of contracting preparation, but a code does not replace your UEI or SAM registration.

If you have trouble getting or using a UEI

Review the information you entered if SAM.gov cannot match your entity or you see a record that does not look right. Check spelling, legal name, address, and whether you are working with the correct entity. Do not create a second record simply to get around a mismatch.

For help with SAM.gov itself, contact the Federal Service Desk. Free contracting help is also available through APEX Accelerators, Small Business Development Centers, and SCORE mentors. If your issue concerns a full registration, see these steps for SAM.gov registration problems.

Keep your UEI with your business records, and check your entity information before submitting a bid or responding to a request. Treat the UEI and SAM registration status as separate checks: your identifier may be available even when your registration is incomplete or inactive.

Frequently asked questions

Is a UEI the same as a DUNS number?

No. The UEI replaced the DUNS number for federal entity identification in April 2022. SAM.gov assigns a UEI for free, and you do not need to buy a DUNS number to get one.

Can I get a UEI without registering in SAM?

Yes. You can request a UEI without completing full SAM registration. However, you must complete full registration to bid on federal prime contracts.

Is SAM registration free?

Yes. Registering through SAM.gov is free, and you do not need a paid third-party registration service. Be cautious of companies that charge a fee to complete a process you can do directly.

How do I do a UEI number lookup?

Search entity records on SAM.gov by the business or organization name and verify the result against its legal name and address. A lookup identifies an entity, but you should separately check whether its SAM registration is active if that matters for your purpose.

What is a unique entity ID used for?

A unique entity ID identifies a business or organization in federal processes, including contracting. It is not a certification or proof that the entity has completed SAM registration or qualifies for a particular contract.