XL EagleUEI (Unique Entity ID)
UEI stands for Unique Entity ID. The Unique Entity ID, or UEI, is a 12-character code made of letters and numbers that SAM.gov assigns to identify your business. It is the main ID the federal government uses to track who it contracts with and pays.
Since April 4, 2022, the UEI has been the official federal identifier, replacing the old DUNS number from Dun and Bradstreet. You get a UEI for free directly in SAM.gov, either as part of a full registration or through the 'get a UEI only' option.
Why it matters to a small contractor
Contracting officers, prime contractors and federal reporting systems all ask for your UEI. If a prime wants to bring you on as a subcontractor on a larger federal job, they will often need your UEI to report the subcontract.
Example
A prime contractor asks a small HVAC shop for its UEI to report a subcontract. The owner, who had never registered, gets a UEI-only record in SAM.gov the same week.
UEI: common questions
Is my UEI the same as my CAGE code?
No. The UEI is assigned by SAM.gov and is 12 characters. The CAGE code is a separate 5-character code assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency. Most registered businesses have both.
Does my UEI expire?
The UEI itself stays with your business. Your SAM registration, however, must be renewed every year to stay active.
Do I need a new UEI if I move?
Generally no. You update your address in SAM.gov and the UEI stays the same, but the change will go through validation again.
Want the contract without the paperwork? Send XL Eagle your price on an open government job. We write and submit the bid under our registrations, free to you. Find open jobs →