SAM.gov assigns UEIs during registration, while the FAR treats CAGE as a separate code that contracting officers verify before award.
Summary
How do UEI and CAGE codes work in entity validation? SAM.gov assigns UEIs during registration, while the FAR treats CAGE as a separate code that contracting officers verify before award.
SAM.gov says you can either complete a registration to bid on government contracts and apply for federal awards, or request only a Unique Entity ID without completing a registration. If you want to apply for federal awards as a prime awardee, you need a registration, and SAM.gov assigns the Unique Entity ID as part of that process. The same guidance says entities that only conduct certain transactions, such as reporting as a sub-awardee, may not need a registration.
FAR Subpart 4.18 treats the Commercial and Government Entity code as a separate identifier used to identify entities and support data exchange, unique identification, and ownership-or-control checks. It also states that the unique entity identifier is a different identifier. Before award above the micro-purchase threshold, offerors must provide the contracting officer the CAGE code assigned to the offeror’s location when SAM registration or a UEI is required in the solicitation. Contracting officers verify CAGE by reviewing the SAM registration; active registrations have verified CAGE codes. If the entity is not required to be in SAM, the contracting officer validates the CAGE code through the DLA CAGE search site.
SAM.gov says prime awardees need registration to apply for federal awards, while some entities may only need a Unique Entity ID.
SAM.gov directs users to sign in through Login.gov and complete their profile to register or obtain a UEI.
The FAR says contracting officers verify CAGE through SAM for active registrations or through the DLA CAGE search site when registration is not required.
A Unique Entity ID only does not let you apply directly for federal awards. SAM.gov says that option is for entities that do not need full registration.