XL EagleNCAGE code (NATO Commercial and Government Entity code)
NCAGE code stands for NATO Commercial and Government Entity code. An NCAGE code is the version of a CAGE code assigned to businesses located outside the United States. It is issued by the national codification bureau of the company's own country, or by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency for countries without one.
Foreign companies must have an NCAGE code before they can complete a SAM.gov registration. The format looks like a CAGE code, and U.S. systems treat it the same way once it is in SAM.
Why it matters to a small contractor
If you are a U.S. small business, you will not need an NCAGE code. It matters if you team with a supplier based abroad, because they cannot register in SAM until they get one, which can add weeks to their setup.
Example
A Canadian equipment maker wants to sell parts to a U.S. Army base. It first requests an NCAGE code from Canada's codification office, then registers in SAM.gov.
NCAGE code: common questions
Is an NCAGE code different from a CAGE code?
It serves the same purpose and uses the same format. The difference is who assigns it: CAGE codes are assigned by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, NCAGE codes by the foreign country's bureau.
Can a foreign supplier be my subcontractor without an NCAGE?
Sometimes, depending on the contract and reporting rules, but many defense buys and any direct federal award will require it. Check the solicitation's requirements.
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