Getting started
Before your first bid: SAM, UEI and NAICS
Before drafting a proposal, check the identity and registration details the buyer will use to assess your business.
Start with the official registration path
SBA directs businesses to register in the federal System for Award Management, SAM.gov. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is assigned through SAM; it is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier.[1]
A UEI alone is not the same as completing entity registration. SBA describes a UEI-only option for certain transactions, including some subaward reporting. Do not assume that having an identifier means you have completed every registration step required by a solicitation.[1]
Describe the work you actually deliver
NAICS codes classify businesses by the products or services they supply. A business can have more than one code where it offers multiple products or services. SBA links to the Census Bureau's code list for identifying the relevant codes.[1]
A practical preparation checklist
Our recommended workflow, not a substitute for the solicitation:
- Gather your legal business name, address and the records needed to verify them.
- Record your UEI, registration status and renewal reminder in one place.
- Match your proposed work to the solicitation's NAICS code and check the applicable size standard.
- Keep a dated note of the official records you checked. Mark unresolved items as gaps rather than treating them as passed.
Next: decide whether the opportunity is worth pursuing.
Sources
Official sources checked October 5, 2026. Recheck current requirements before acting.