How to Set Up a DUNS Number for Government Contracts

If you're a small business owner trying to break into federal contracting, you've probably heard the term "DUNS number" thrown around. Here's the most important thing to know upfront: the DUNS number has been replaced by the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as of April 4, 2022. The federal government no longer uses Dun & Bradstreet's DUNS system for SAM.gov registrations. Instead, UEIs are now assigned directly through SAM.gov at no cost.

This guide will walk you through exactly what you need to do today — whether you're starting fresh or updating an old DUNS-based registration — so you can legally bid on federal contracts.

What Happened to the DUNS Number? (And What Replaced It)

For over two decades, the 9-digit DUNS number issued by Dun & Bradstreet was the required identifier for any business registering in the federal System for Award Management (SAM.gov). In 2020, the federal government announced a transition away from DUNS to eliminate the dependency on a private vendor.

As of April 4, 2022, SAM.gov now issues a 12-character alphanumeric Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) automatically when you register or renew your entity. If your business was already registered in SAM.gov before the cutover, your UEI was automatically generated and you can find it in your SAM.gov profile — no action required just for the identifier itself.

What this means practically:

• You no longer need to request a number from Dun & Bradstreet before registering in SAM.gov
• There is no fee to obtain a UEI
• Beware of third-party services charging $300–$500 to "get your DUNS/UEI" — this is unnecessary
• Existing DUNS numbers were mapped to new UEIs automatically for registered entities

The bottom line: when people today search "how to set up a DUNS number for government contracts," what they really need is a complete SAM.gov registration, which includes UEI assignment. That's what this guide covers.

Step-by-Step: How to Register in SAM.gov and Get Your UEI

SAM.gov registration is required for any business that wants to receive federal contract awards or grants above the micro-purchase threshold ($10,000). Here's the complete process:

Step 1: Gather Your Business Information

Before you log on, collect the following. Missing any of these will stall your registration:

• EIN (Employer Identification Number) from the IRS — or Social Security Number for sole proprietors
• Legal business name exactly as it appears on your IRS filings
• Physical business address (P.O. boxes are not accepted as primary address)
• NAICS codes relevant to your business (you can have multiple)
• Banking information for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) setup
• Your fiscal year end date

Step 2: Create a Login.gov Account

SAM.gov now requires authentication through Login.gov. Go to login.gov and create an account with a government-verified email. You'll set up two-factor authentication. This is separate from your SAM.gov account but required to access it.

Step 3: Register Your Entity on SAM.gov

Navigate to sam.gov, sign in via Login.gov, and select "Register Entity." You'll work through several sections including: Core Data, Assertions, Representations & Certifications, and Points of Contact. The Representations & Certifications section is lengthy — it covers FAR and DFARS clauses about your business size, ownership, and ethics certifications. Budget 1–3 hours for a first-time registration.

Step 4: IRS Validation — The Biggest Delay

SAM.gov validates your EIN and legal business name against IRS records. This is where most delays happen. If your name doesn't match IRS records exactly (even punctuation matters), validation fails and you'll wait. The IRS validation step alone can take 2–5 business days. Make sure your business name in SAM matches your IRS CP 575 notice exactly.

Step 5: Wait for Activation

Once submitted and validated, SAM.gov registration typically activates within 7–10 business days, though it can take up to 12 business days during peak periods. Your UEI is assigned as soon as you begin registration — it appears in your workspace immediately — but the registration must be active before you can receive awards.

Total timeline estimate: 10–15 business days from start to active status. Don't wait until you see a solicitation you want to bid on — register now.

SAM.gov Registration: Key Requirements and Common Mistakes

One critical note for new businesses: if your EIN was issued recently (within the last 2 weeks), the IRS database that SAM.gov queries may not yet have it. Wait at least two weeks after receiving your EIN before attempting SAM.gov registration.

After Registration: What to Do With Your UEI

Getting your UEI and active SAM.gov registration is the foundation, but it's just the starting line. Here's what to do next:

• Verify your small business certifications. SAM.gov pulls size standard data, but you may also qualify for set-aside programs like 8(a), HUBZone, WOSB, or SDVOSB. These certifications dramatically improve your win rates on certain solicitations.
• Set up a DSBS profile. The Dynamic Small Business Search (DSBS) database is used by contracting officers to find small businesses. Your SAM.gov registration feeds into it, but complete your profile thoroughly.
• Identify relevant contract opportunities. With SAM.gov active, you're eligible to bid. But finding the right opportunities — ones that match your NAICS codes, location, and business size — is where most small businesses struggle.

This is where tools like GovSignal become valuable. GovSignal monitors federal contracting opportunities and delivers targeted alerts based on your specific NAICS codes, agency preferences, and business profile — so you're not manually sifting through thousands of solicitations on SAM.gov every day. For small business owners managing contracting alongside everything else, that kind of signal filtering can mean the difference between missing opportunities and actually bidding on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I still need a DUNS number in 2024?

No. The DUNS number was officially retired by the federal government on April 4, 2022. You no longer need to contact Dun & Bradstreet or obtain a DUNS number to register in SAM.gov or bid on federal contracts. Your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is now assigned automatically through SAM.gov when you register. If you had an active SAM.gov account prior to the cutover, your DUNS was automatically converted to a UEI — you can find it in your SAM.gov entity registration under "Unique Entity ID." Any website or service still charging you to obtain a "DUNS number for government contracting" is either outdated or misleading.

How long does SAM.gov registration take, and can I speed it up?

The typical timeline is 7–12 business days from submission to active status, with the IRS validation step accounting for most of that time (2–5 business days). There is no official expedite process. However, you can reduce delays by: (1) ensuring your legal business name matches your IRS CP 575 notice character-for-character before submitting, (2) making sure your EIN has been on file with the IRS for at least two weeks, and (3) completing all sections thoroughly so your registration doesn't get flagged for manual review. Do not pay third-party services claiming they can expedite SAM.gov registration — they cannot influence federal processing times.

Does SAM.gov registration cost anything?

No. SAM.gov registration is completely free. The government operates SAM.gov at no cost to registrants, and your UEI is assigned for free as part of the process. Beware of third-party websites that appear in search results offering "SAM registration services" for fees ranging from $150 to $600. These services are not affiliated with the government and are not necessary. Some of them use deceptive domain names that imply official government status. Always register directly at sam.gov — the official .gov domain. The only thing you're spending is time (roughly 1–3 hours for a thorough first-time registration).