CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity Code)

A CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity Code) is a five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to entities that manufacture, supply, or provide services to the US federal government, used across procurement, quality management, and supply chain systems.

What is a CAGE Code?

CAGE Codes are maintained by DLA's Battle Creek, Michigan facility and have been in use since the 1960s. Every entity doing business with the Department of Defense needs a CAGE Code, and the code is now linked to SAM.gov entity registration, making it effectively required for any federal contractor. The five-character code (letters and numbers, no special characters) is unique to each business location - a company with offices in multiple cities may hold multiple CAGE Codes, one for each distinct physical location.

CAGE Codes serve several purposes across federal procurement and logistics systems. In procurement, the code identifies the supplier or manufacturer on contract documents, quality system certifications, and supply chain records. In defense logistics, CAGE Codes appear in technical data packages, qualified products lists, and parts procurement records to identify who manufactured a specific item. DoD quality management systems (like AS9100 and ISO registrations) are tied to CAGE Codes rather than company names, because company names can change through mergers and acquisitions while the CAGE Code remains constant.

The CAGE Code is obtained through the SAM.gov registration process for new entities. Existing entities with SAM.gov registrations already have a CAGE Code assigned. For entities outside the United States, the equivalent code is an NCAGE (NATO CAGE) Code, which follows the same format but is assigned by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for foreign suppliers.

Why CAGE Code matters for government contractors

The CAGE Code is required on virtually every DoD procurement form, technical data package, and quality certification. A company that has completed SAM.gov registration but has not yet received its CAGE Code cannot be awarded a DoD contract. The code also serves as a persistent identifier through corporate name changes, acquisitions, and restructuring - when a company is acquired, the acquiring company must update the CAGE Code record but the code itself can be retained or transferred, maintaining continuity in the supply chain and quality records.

Example

A manufacturer of precision aerospace components establishes a new production facility in a second state to expand capacity. DLA assigns a new CAGE Code to the new facility location because it is a distinct manufacturing site with its own quality management system certification. The original facility retains its existing CAGE Code. When the company bids on a DoD contract requiring supply from the new facility, it lists the new facility's CAGE Code in the proposal. Quality audits and inspection records are filed against the facility's specific CAGE Code, creating a traceable record for each manufacturing location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a CAGE Code?

CAGE Codes are assigned automatically through the SAM.gov entity registration process for US entities. When you complete your SAM.gov registration, a CAGE Code is assigned to your entity if one does not already exist. You do not apply for a CAGE Code separately from SAM.gov registration. Foreign entities not required to register in SAM.gov can request an NCAGE Code directly from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.

Can a company have more than one CAGE Code?

Yes. A company can hold multiple CAGE Codes if it operates from multiple distinct physical locations, particularly when those locations have separate quality management system registrations, manufacturing capabilities, or procurement identities. Holding multiple CAGE Codes is common for larger defense contractors with geographically distributed operations.

What is the difference between a CAGE Code and a UEI?

The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is the SAM.gov-assigned identifier for tracking federal award recipients in the procurement and spending data systems. The CAGE Code is the DLA-assigned identifier used in supply chain, logistics, and quality management systems with defense-specific applications. Both codes appear in SAM.gov and both are used on federal contract documents, but they serve different functions in different systems.

Does my CAGE Code change if my company name changes?

No. The CAGE Code remains assigned to the entity and does not change when the business name changes, as long as the entity and its location remain the same. When a name change occurs, the CAGE Code record is updated to reflect the new name, but the five-character code is retained. This continuity is a key benefit - quality records, past performance history, and supply chain data tied to the CAGE Code remain connected through name changes.