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What is a UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)?
The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is a 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to your business when you register in SAM.gov. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 as the official identifier for government contracting.
Note: If you previously had a DUNS number, it is no longer used for government contracting. Your UEI was automatically assigned when SAM.gov transitioned. You can find your UEI by logging into SAM.gov.
Why Do You Need a UEI?
- Required for all federal government contracting and grants
- Required by most state vendor registration systems
- Used to verify your business identity and track your contracting history
- Your CAGE code is also assigned through this process
How to Get Your UEI
Your UEI is obtained by registering your business in SAM.gov (System for Award Management). This is a free process managed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA).
- Go to SAM.gov
- Click “Get Started” and create a Login.gov account (if you don’t have one)
- Select “Register Entity” and follow the registration wizard
- You will need your FEIN/EIN, business address, banking information, and NAICS codes
- SAM.gov will validate your information and assign your UEI
- Registration typically takes 7-10 business days to process
Important: SAM.gov registration is completely FREE. Do not pay any third-party service to register you. Also, your SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually to remain active.
What Happened to the DUNS Number?
The DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number was previously issued by Dun & Bradstreet and was required for government contracting. In April 2022, the federal government transitioned to the UEI system managed directly by SAM.gov, eliminating the dependency on a third-party provider. If you had a DUNS number, your entity was automatically assigned a UEI during the transition.
Next Steps
When your SAM.gov registration is processed, you will also receive a CAGE code. Once you have your FEIN, UEI, and CAGE code, you are ready to begin registering as a vendor with individual states.
Last updated: April 2026.