Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is the 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov to every entity that registers to do business with the US federal government, replacing the legacy DUNS number system that was retired in April 2022.

What is the Unique Entity Identifier?

The UEI was introduced as part of GSA's effort to bring the entity identification system in-house rather than relying on the private Dun and Bradstreet DUNS number system that had served as the primary federal contractor identifier since the 1990s. Starting April 4, 2022, all federal awards - contracts, grants, loans, and other financial assistance - use the UEI as the entity identifier. DUNS numbers are no longer accepted for new registrations or award transactions.

UEIs are assigned automatically during the SAM.gov entity registration process. An entity that previously had a DUNS number had its UEI assigned when it renewed or updated its SAM.gov registration. Unlike DUNS numbers, which were assigned by Dun and Bradstreet as a private company with associated costs, UEIs are assigned by GSA at no charge as part of the registration process.

The UEI appears in federal award records, USAspending.gov data, SAM.gov entity profiles, and all federal procurement and assistance documentation. It is the key lookup field for identifying a specific entity across federal systems. Parent-subsidiary relationships are tracked through the UEI system: a parent company has its own UEI and its subsidiaries have their own UEIs, with the relationship documented in SAM.gov. This hierarchy matters for small business size determinations and affiliation rules.

Why UEI matters for government contractors

Every federal procurement interaction now uses the UEI as the primary identifier. Proposals, invoices, WAWF submissions, eSRS reports, and FSRS reports all require the correct UEI. An incorrect or lapsed UEI creates processing errors across multiple federal systems. New market entrants who have never held a federal contract must obtain a UEI through SAM.gov registration before submitting any proposal or receiving any award. The UEI is also the primary search key for researching a company's federal contracting history in USAspending.gov.

Example

A technology consulting firm completes its SAM.gov entity registration and receives UEI P6Q7F3HKLM09. The firm's contracts administrator adds the UEI to all proposal headers, WAWF invoicing profiles, and the firm's standard representations and certifications. When a competitor research analyst searches USAspending.gov for the firm's award history, they search by UEI to retrieve all contracts awarded to exactly that entity rather than contending with name variations. The UEI creates a reliable, unique identifier thread connecting every federal award the firm has ever received.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find my company's UEI?

Log in to SAM.gov with your account credentials. Your entity registration record displays the UEI in the entity overview. If your company has an active SAM.gov registration, a UEI has been assigned. If you have never registered, you will receive a UEI upon completing your first SAM.gov registration.

Is the UEI the same as the CAGE Code?

No. The UEI and CAGE Code are different identifiers that coexist in federal systems. The UEI is assigned by SAM.gov specifically for tracking federal award recipients. The CAGE Code (Commercial and Government Entity Code) is a five-character code assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency and used primarily for DoD procurement, quality management, and supply chain purposes. Both are required for DoD contracts; both appear in your SAM.gov registration.

What happened to my DUNS number?

DUNS numbers were retired from federal procurement systems on April 4, 2022. Entities that had DUNS numbers had a UEI assigned to them when they updated their SAM.gov registration before the transition deadline. The DUNS number is no longer accepted for any federal award transaction, though historical USAspending records before 2022 may still reference the DUNS number.

Can I look up another company's UEI?

Yes. SAM.gov has a public entity search function that allows anyone to search for registered entities by name and retrieve their UEI, CAGE Code, address, and registration status. USAspending.gov also surfaces UEIs in award records. This is useful for competitive research and for verifying that a teaming partner or subcontractor has an active SAM.gov registration.