Once a business has registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) and begun vying for federal government contracting opportunities, it’s important to keep in mind that SAM registration isn’t permanent. In fact, SAM registration must be renewed annually.
Let’s back up before we get to the logistics and timing of SAM registration renewal, though. First, let’s touch on why businesses must renew.
Why Does Your Business Need to Update Its SAM Registration?
The System for Award Management, also known as SAM or Sam.gov, is an ever-changing behemoth. The SAM system is the government’s central repository for contractor credentials, federal procurement systems, and various other federal programs.
To ensure the database has the most accurate information possible, the federal government requires everyone to renew their SAM registration annually. Unfortunately, SAM registrations are not eligible for auto-renewal, so businesses will have to renew their SAM registration manually, which can be an involved process.
How Often Do Businesses Need to Renew SAM Registration?
As mentioned previously, SAM registration expires one year after the federal government approves a business’ initial SAM registration. Due to the meticulous process that SAM registration involves, a business will want to start their SAM renewal months ahead of the 365-day mark from when they last registered.
Having an ongoing renewal process in the works is also advantageous for securing contract work during the current registration period. If a procurement agent is evaluating various businesses to award a federal contract, a differentiating factor can be SAM renewal status. For example, if Business A has its SAM expiration date approaching without an ongoing renewal process initiated, and Business B has a SAM expiration date many months away — the agent might opt to select Business B.
When Should Your Business Renew Its SAM Registration?
It is highly recommended that businesses renew their SAM registration at least two months prior to their expiration date. In fact, if a business loses registration during ongoing contract work, the government is no longer authorized to work with that business. This could drastically affect a business’ well-being.
How to Check Current SAM Registration Status
To check the status of your business’ SAM registration there are three different processes for viewing records, based on the business’ registration circumstances, that all involve logging onto sam.gov:
1: Business currently has live SAM registration:
- Go to www.sam.gov.
- Click on “Search”
- Be sure to check the “Active” box
- Search the records using your Entity Name, UEI, or CAGE Code.
2: Business has expired SAM registration:
- Go to www.sam.gov.
- Click on “Search”
- Be sure to check the “Inactive” box
- Search the records using your Entity Name, UEI, or CAGE Code.
3: Business previously declined inclusion in public search.
- Go to www.sam.gov.
- Login with your username and password.
- Migrate your roles.
- Click “Register/Update Entity.”
- Click “Complete Registrations.”
How to Renew SAM Registration
By checking a business’ SAM registration status, a business operator can then choose to use the system to start a SAM registration renewal. Renewal is free if business operators complete the lengthy process without any assistance. If an operator would like help with the daunting registration process, they will want to reach out to a third-party service.
FAMR Provides SAM Renewal Assistance
Federal Award Management Registration is an independent consulting firm that specializes in registering businesses with the federal government and making sure they get access to the opportunities they deserve. If you are an operator and are wanting to learn more about this service we encourage you to check out our SAM renewal offerings.
SAM Registration Process Updates
SAM is always evolving, and its processes and requirements are sure to change often. While this is another reason for a business operator to consider working with industry partners like FAMR regarding registration, they also should keep up-to-date with changes in the SAM system. Regardless of their means of registration, operators should intermittently check on SAM developments alongside the status of their registration, and if they opt to work with the professionals at FAMR they will have assistance for up to a year and can always contact FAMR with questions or concerns.
