Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a unique number assigned to all entities that do business with the federal government. It serves as the official identifier for companies, nonprofits, institutions, and individuals across federal procurement and grant systems.
What Is a Unique Entity Identifier?
The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a unique number assigned to all entities that do business with the federal government.
It serves as the official identifier for companies, nonprofits, institutions, and individuals across federal procurement and grant systems.
Key Characteristics
Issued through registration in SAM.gov
Required for federal contracts and grants
Unique to each legal business entity
Used across federal procurement systems
Replaced the former DUNS number system
How It Works in Government Contracting
Where It Appears in the Procurement Lifecycle: The UEI is required at the registration stage, before an entity can submit bids or proposals, receive federal contract awards, apply for federal grants, or receive federal payments. Without a UEI, participation in federal procurement is not possible.
Who Uses It: Federal agencies, contracting officers, grant officers, prime contractors, subcontractors, small businesses, and large corporations all rely on the UEI. Every entity in the federal acquisition ecosystem must have a UEI if receiving federal funds.
Why It Matters: The UEI ensures accurate entity identification, transparency in federal spending, standardized tracking of awards, fraud prevention, and simplified reporting — allowing agencies to verify that they are awarding contracts to properly registered entities.
Practical Application
Example 1 — Small Business Bidding: A small business wants to bid on a Department of Defense contract. Before submitting a proposal, it must register in SAM and obtain a UEI.
Example 2 — Nonprofit Grant Application: A nonprofit applying for a federal grant must include its UEI in the grant application.
Example 3 — Subcontractor Compliance: A subcontractor receiving federal flow-down funds may also be required to have a UEI.
Regulatory Framework
Federal contractors must maintain an active SAM registration with a valid UEI. The UEI requirement is governed by:
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 4
FAR 52.204-7 (System for Award Management registration)
Office of Management and Budget guidance
General Services Administration implementation policies
Why It Matters for Contractors
Business Implications: A UEI is required to compete for federal opportunities, necessary for payment processing, and used in compliance reporting across all federal procurement systems.
Compliance Impact: Entities must keep SAM registration active, update entity information regularly, and ensure accuracy in business records. Inactive or expired registration can delay contract awards or payments.
Strategic Importance: A properly maintained UEI supports eligibility for set-aside programs, enables faster award processing, and reduces administrative friction throughout the procurement lifecycle.
Risk Considerations: Lapsed registration can make a proposal ineligible, inaccurate information may trigger compliance reviews, and third-party scams may attempt to charge for what is actually a free registration service.
Common Misconceptions About the UEI
Only large corporations need a UEI.
Any entity receiving federal funds must have one, regardless of size.
There is a fee to obtain a UEI.
Registration through SAM.gov is free.
A DUNS number is still sufficient.
The UEI has replaced the DUNS number for all federal systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a UEI?
Register your entity at SAM.gov. A UEI is automatically assigned during registration.
How long does it take to receive a UEI?
It is issued during the SAM registration process, though validation may take several days.
Does a UEI expire?
The number does not expire, but SAM registration must be renewed annually.
Do subcontractors need a UEI?
Often yes, especially if required for reporting or compliance purposes.
Related Government Contracting Topics
System for Award Management (SAM): The federal database where entities register to obtain a UEI and compete for contracts.
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): The primary rulebook governing federal procurement requirements, including UEI registration obligations.
CAGE Code: A Commercial and Government Entity code assigned to U.S. entities during SAM registration, used alongside the UEI.
DUNS Number: The former third-party identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet that has been replaced by the UEI system.
Representations and Certifications (Reps and Certs): Compliance disclosures completed during SAM registration that are tied to an entity's UEI.