Archived Information: SAM.gov Tip Sheet
Archived Information


  1. In order to register with SAM (the System for Award Management), you first must have an active Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) and Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). If you do not have an active DUNS number, you may obtain one online at: http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. This process takes one-to-two business days. If you do not have a TIN, you may complete an online application at: http://www.taxid-gov.us/.
  2. IMPORTANT: Please register early. We cannot stress enough the importance of registering early with www.SAM.gov. The length of time to obtain an active account in SAM may vary from applicant to applicant based on how accurately the entity’s information is entered into the system. The correct DUNS, TIN and entity name, etc. must match information in Dun and Bradstreet, IRS, etc. per the instructions at www.sam.gov. We encourage you to register even before we publish an application notice if you anticipate applying for any Department of Education grants.
  3. If you are updating your SAM account because it has expired—and assuming there are no problems with your completed registration—please allow 48 to 72 hours for the system to complete the match with your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) and the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) verification. You will receive an email when your account is active in SAM.
  4. Please remember to update your SAM account annually.
  5. The following link (https://www.sam.gov/sam/SAM_Guide/SAM_User_Guide.htm) will take you to the SAM User Guide, which explains how to use the system.
  6. SAM has several demonstration videos to familiarize registrants with the functionalities of SAM. There is a video for registering as a new entity in order to be eligible for grants and other Federal assistance. The video is located on the following webpage (https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/?portal:componentId=57fe9a6b-c4e1-4068-96b9-82d9e3bbd3e9&portal:type=action&
    navigationalstate=JBPNS_rO0ABXdcACJqYXZheC5mYWNl
    cy5wb3J0bGV0YnJpZGdlLlNUQVRFX0lEAAAAAQApdmlldzphY
    zI4OTRlZS1hMTNlLTRkOGMtYWE0Zi1kNWUxZjI0MmE3MjYAB19
    fRU9GX18*&interactionstate=JBPNS_rO0ABXc5ABBfanNmQnJpZGdlVmll
    d0lkAAAAAQAYL2pzZi9oZWxwL3NhbUhlbHBOYXYuanNwAAdfX0VPRl9f
    ) and is the third video listed on this page.
  7. If your agency’s contact person for SAM has changed or left his or her position, it is important that you update this information so that the correct person will receive all emails from SAM.
  8. Below is a link for accessing several SAM Quick User Guides for different audiences using the system. https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/?portal:componentId=57fe9a6b-c4e1-4068-96b9-82d9e3bbd3e9&portal:type=
    action&navigationalstate=JBPNS_rO0ABXdcACJqYXZheC5mYWNlcy5wb3
    J0bGV0YnJpZGdlLlNUQVRFX0lEAAAAAQApdmlldzo4NGEyN2Q5Ni05M
    zM5LTQ3NzYtODIxZi1iYWU4YjQ3YWI4NmQAB19fRU9GX18*&
    interactionstate=JBPNS_rO0ABXc5ABBfanNmQnJpZGdlVmll
    d0lkAAAAAQAYL2pzZi9oZWxwL3NhbUhlbHBOYXYuanNwAAdfX0VPRl9f
  9. Once you have completed your SAM registration, it takes 24 – 48 hours for your SAM registration to be recognized by Grants.gov.


  10. The U.S. General Services Agency (GSA) has identified a SAM problem that has occurred since July 2012 with certain entities submitting a new or updated registration and the submission not being finalized by SAM. Based on available information, it appears as though the failure to finalize a  registration submission is  related to business size and the registrants selected NAICS code. Please note that GSA is addressing the problem. If you did not receive an email confirming your registration within 30 minutes of executing the last step of the registration process, then you must follow the instructions included in the below link in order to ensure that the registration submission is finalized. (Incomplete Submissions at SAM.gov Workaround)


   
Last Modified: 04/22/2022