Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE)
A CAGE Code is a unique five-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency to suppliers doing business with the federal government, required for SAM.gov registration and federal contracts.
What Is a CAGE Code?
A CAGE Code is a unique five-character alphanumeric identifier (no I, O, Q characters used) assigned to each commercial and government entity doing business with the federal government. CAGE Codes uniquely identify: the entity's legal name; the entity's physical address; the entity's organizational role (commercial supplier, government entity, foreign entity); and the entity's federal contracting context.
CAGE Codes are required for: SAM.gov registration (CAGE Code is auto-assigned during SAM registration); federal contract awards (every federal contract identifies the awardee by CAGE Code); FPDS reporting; supplier qualification programs; security clearance facilities; and many other federal procurement and supply chain processes. Entities can have multiple CAGE Codes for different facilities, divisions, or operational units.
The same legal entity at the same location typically has one CAGE Code; multiple physical locations or significantly different organizational units often receive separate CAGE Codes. CAGE Codes do not expire but require periodic SAM.gov registration renewal.
Key Characteristics
CAGE Codes have several defining attributes. They are unique: each entity-location combination receives a unique CAGE Code.
They are five characters: alphanumeric, excluding letters I, O, and Q to avoid confusion with numbers. They are assigned by DLA: the Defense Logistics Agency manages CAGE Code assignment for U.S. entities; NATO manages NCAGE for international entities.
They are required for federal contracting: SAM.gov registration assigns a CAGE Code; federal contracts identify awardees by CAGE Code. They are supply-chain-relevant: federal supply chain processes track entities by CAGE Code.
They are persistent: CAGE Codes typically remain with the entity at the same location across years. Each characteristic shapes how federal contractors interact with the CAGE Code system.
How It Works in Government Contracting
CAGE Codes operate through a defined assignment and maintenance cycle. First, when an entity registers in SAM.gov for federal contracting, the SAM.gov system automatically requests CAGE Code assignment from DLA.
If the entity does not have an existing CAGE Code for the specific legal entity and physical address, DLA assigns a new code. Second, the entity uses its CAGE Code in federal contracting: SAM.gov profile, proposal submissions, contract awards, FPDS reporting, supplier qualification programs, and other federal interactions.
Third, federal contracting officers and program staff identify the entity by CAGE Code in contract documentation, procurement reports, and supply chain processes. Fourth, if the entity's legal name, address, or organizational status changes, the entity updates its SAM.gov registration; the CAGE Code may be updated, retained, or replaced depending on the nature of the change.
Fifth, the entity maintains its CAGE Code by keeping SAM.gov registration current; SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually. Sixth, multiple CAGE Codes may be assigned to a single legal entity if it has multiple distinct facilities, divisions, or operational units. International suppliers receive NCAGE codes through NATO procedures rather than DLA assignment.
Real-World Example
A small federal contractor incorporates as ABC Technology Solutions LLC and registers in SAM.gov to begin federal contracting. The SAM.gov registration process automatically requests CAGE Code assignment from DLA.
DLA assigns CAGE Code 1A2B3 to ABC Technology Solutions at its Arlington, Virginia office. ABC uses its CAGE Code (1A2B3) in subsequent federal contracting: proposal submissions identify ABC by CAGE; awarded contracts list ABC as 1A2B3; FPDS reports record awards to 1A2B3; the federal supplier qualification programs index ABC's qualifications under 1A2B3.
Three years later, ABC expands by opening a Dallas, Texas office that operates as a distinct contracting entity. The Dallas office receives a separate CAGE Code (4C5D6) reflecting the different physical location and operational unit.
ABC now operates with two CAGE Codes; federal contracts can be awarded to either entity-location depending on the work. Both CAGE Codes are maintained through annual SAM.gov registration renewal.
The CAGE Code structure supports clear identification of which ABC entity-location is performing each federal contract, supporting accurate procurement reporting and supplier qualification tracking.
Regulatory Framework
CAGE Codes are governed by DLA Manual 4100.39 (Federal Logistics Information System Procedures Manual) and Department of Defense Manual 4140.01 (DoD Supply Chain Materiel Management Procedures). The CAGE Program Office at DLA administers CAGE Code assignment and maintenance.
International CAGE Codes (NCAGE) are governed by NATO Allied Codification Publication 1 (ACodP-1). CAGE Code requirements appear in FAR Part 4 (Administrative Matters), particularly FAR 4.18 (Commercial and Government Entity Code), and in FAR 52.204-7 (System for Award Management) which incorporates CAGE Code as part of SAM registration.
Defense supply chain processes governed by DFARS, the Defense Logistics Manual, and various DoD instructions extensively use CAGE Codes for supplier identification. International contracting and NATO supply chain processes use NCAGE codes through equivalent international frameworks.
Why It Matters for Contractors
For federal contractors, the CAGE Code is the foundation of federal contracting identity. Without a CAGE Code (assigned through SAM.gov registration), an entity cannot effectively conduct federal contracting business: contracts cannot be awarded, FPDS reporting fails, supplier qualifications cannot be tracked, and supply chain processes break down.
CAGE Codes interact with SAM.gov (CAGE assignment occurs through SAM registration), with FPDS (procurement actions reported by CAGE Code), with Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL entries linked to CAGE Codes), with supplier qualification programs (qualifications tracked by CAGE), and with FAPIIS (responsibility information indexed by CAGE). Maintaining current, accurate CAGE Code information through SAM.gov registration is foundational to federal contracting operations. Contractors that let SAM.gov registration lapse can lose access to federal opportunities until renewal is completed.
Common Misconceptions
CAGE Codes are the same as SAM.gov UEIs.
No. SAM.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI) is the SAM.gov-specific identifier (replaced DUNS in 2022). CAGE Code is the DLA-assigned federal supply chain identifier. Both are required for federal contracting; they serve different functions in different systems.
Each contractor has only one CAGE Code.
No. Many contractors have multiple CAGE Codes for different facilities, divisions, or operational units. The same legal entity at the same location typically has one CAGE Code; multiple distinct locations or units often have separate CAGE Codes.
CAGE Codes expire and must be renewed.
The CAGE Code itself does not expire, but SAM.gov registration must be renewed annually, and lapsed SAM registration affects CAGE Code activity. Maintaining SAM.gov registration ensures the CAGE Code remains active for federal contracting use.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a CAGE Code obtained?
Automatically through SAM.gov registration. When an entity registers in SAM.gov, the system requests CAGE Code assignment from DLA. If no existing CAGE Code matches the entity-location, DLA assigns a new one. The CAGE Code appears in the SAM.gov registration record.
What is the difference between a CAGE Code and an NCAGE Code?
CAGE Codes are assigned by DLA for U.S. entities. NCAGE (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) codes are assigned through NATO procedures for international entities. Both serve similar federal/international supply chain identification purposes.
Can a CAGE Code be transferred when a company is acquired?
The acquiring entity typically updates SAM.gov registration; the CAGE Code may be retained, updated, or replaced depending on the structure of the acquisition. A novation agreement under FAR Subpart 42.12 typically addresses CAGE Code treatment in connection with contract assignment.
What if a contractor has multiple offices with different CAGE Codes?
Each office can operate as a distinct contracting entity with its own CAGE Code. Federal contracts can be awarded to specific offices depending on the work scope. The contractor manages multiple SAM.gov registrations to maintain each CAGE Code's currency.
Related Government Contracting Topics
System for Award Management (SAM): Federal contractor registration system; CAGE Code is assigned through SAM registration.
FPDS (Federal Procurement Data System): Federal procurement database; procurement actions are reported by CAGE Code.
Qualified Vendors List (QVL): Agency-maintained pre-approved supplier lists; QVL entries linked to CAGE Codes.
FAPIIS: Federal awardee responsibility database; information indexed by CAGE Code.
Novation: Contract assignment process; can involve CAGE Code updates when entities change.
How LotusPetal AI Helps
LotusPetal AI's capture and proposal automation platform helps federal contractors manage CAGE Code maintenance, SAM.gov registration discipline, and federal contracting identity management with the same discipline as the largest primes. The platform combines compliance automation, AI-assisted proposal drafting, and structured capture workflows so teams capture the right opportunities, write compliant proposals, and protect their win rate.