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UEI Number Lookup
Find any entity registered in SAM.gov by company name, UEI, or CAGE code.
The Unique Entity Identifier replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 as the primary identifier for government contractors.
What is a UEI number?
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov to every organization that registers to do business with the federal government. It replaced the 9-digit DUNS number — previously issued by Dun & Bradstreet — as the primary contractor identifier on April 4, 2022.
Every entity that wants to bid on federal contracts, apply for federal grants, or receive federal financial assistance must have an active SAM.gov registration with a valid UEI. The identifier appears on all federal awards, sub-awards, and USASpending.gov records.
How to get a UEI number
- Go to sam.gov and sign in with a Login.gov account.
- Select “Register New Entity.” Choose the registration type (domestic business, foreign entity, individual, etc.).
- Enter your business information — legal name, physical address, EIN, primary NAICS code.
- Your UEI is assigned instantly. Full registration activation takes 7–14 business days while SAM.gov validates your data against IRS and other federal databases.
Key facts about the UEI
- The UEI transition from DUNS was completed on April 4, 2022.
- Getting a UEI via SAM.gov is 100% free.
- Each legal entity gets exactly one UEI.
- SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually to remain active.
- An expired registration means your UEI is technically valid but you cannot receive new federal awards.
UEI vs. DUNS number
The federal government moved away from the DUNS system to eliminate reliance on a private vendor. Here is how the two identifiers compare.
| Feature | UEI (current) | DUNS (retired) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing authority | SAM.gov (U.S. GSA) | Dun & Bradstreet (private) |
| Cost | Free | Free for basic; paid for updates |
| Format | 12 alphanumeric characters | 9-digit number |
| Assignment | Automatic upon SAM.gov registration | Required separate D&B application |
| Required for federal contracts since | April 4, 2022 | Phased out April 4, 2022 |
| Tied to | SAM.gov entity record | D&B business credit profile |
Source: SAM.gov and the Federal Register (86 FR 34060, effective April 4, 2022). The UEI transition applies to all civilian and defense agencies.
Frequently asked questions about UEI numbers
Researched by the BidStride Research Team
Log in to SAM.gov and navigate to your entity registration. Your UEI is displayed at the top of the entity record. It was assigned automatically when your entity was registered or renewed after April 2022. You can also use the search tool above — enter your company name and your UEI will appear in the results.
No. The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) replaced the DUNS number as the official government contractor identifier starting April 4, 2022. DUNS numbers were issued by Dun & Bradstreet and cost money. UEIs are issued free of charge directly by SAM.gov. If you had a DUNS number, SAM.gov automatically assigned you a UEI when the transition occurred — you don't need to do anything to get one if you were already registered.
A UEI is assigned instantly when you register or update your entity on SAM.gov. However, full SAM.gov registration (which activates your UEI for contracting purposes) typically takes 7–14 business days because SAM.gov must validate your information with the IRS and other federal databases. During this validation period, your UEI exists but your registration status shows as 'pending.'
No. Each legal business entity in SAM.gov has exactly one UEI. The UEI is tied to your legal business name, physical address, and EIN/TIN combination. If you have multiple subsidiaries or divisions that each need to receive federal awards separately, each must register as a separate legal entity and will receive its own UEI.
Log in to SAM.gov and submit an update to your entity registration. Changes to legal business name or address go through a re-validation process that typically takes 3–5 business days. If your UEI was assigned in error or you believe there is a data issue, contact the SAM.gov Federal Service Desk at fsd.gov or 1-866-606-8220.
Not always. The UEI is required for federal contracts and federal financial assistance (grants, cooperative agreements). Many state and local governments use their own vendor registration systems and do not require a SAM.gov UEI. However, having an active SAM.gov registration with a valid UEI is often viewed favorably even by non-federal buyers because it signals credibility and compliance.
No. You can have a UEI without a complete SAM.gov registration. SAM.gov offers a 'UEI-only' registration path for entities that need a unique identifier (for example, for sub-awards under the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act) but do not yet need to receive prime federal contracts. Full entity registration is required to bid on federal contracts directly.
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