The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) that uniquely identifies your business for federal contracting. It replaced the DUNS number and is required for all federal contracts.
The UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) is essentially your business's serial number in the federal government system. The U.S. government introduced the UEI to replace the DUNS number, which was previously required for federal contracting. Every business—whether sole proprietor, partnership, corporation, or nonprofit—needs a UEI to do business with the federal government.
You obtain your UEI by registering on SAM.gov (System for Award Management). When you create your SAM.gov account and register your business, the system automatically assigns you a UEI. This 12-character code becomes your unique identifier across all federal agencies and contracting systems. Your UEI stays with your business entity unless the entity changes (merger, dissolution, etc.).
Why it matters: A UEI is mandatory for federal contracting. Without one, you cannot bid on contracts, register for small business programs, or receive government payments. When you bid on opportunities, when you register as a subcontractor, and when you get paid—your UEI is involved. It's how the government knows who you are and tracks your contracting history.
In practice, getting a UEI is free and takes minutes if you have basic business information (business name, address, ownership structure). The challenge is keeping your UEI information current. If your business address changes, if your ownership structure changes, or if your certifications (small business status, etc.) change, you must update SAM.gov. Failure to maintain current information can make you ineligible for government contracts.
One common misconception: having a UEI doesn't mean you're automatically eligible for government contracts. It just means you're registered in the system. Eligibility depends on other factors like business size, location, certifications, and past performance. Another point: the transition from DUNS to UEI is still happening, so some older systems might still reference DUNS numbers, but UEI is the current federal standard.