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When is a CAGE code assigned, and how does it differ from a UEI for federal contractors?

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I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row for federal grounds maintenance contracts, mostly for school districts and military bases around Jacksonville. I'm looking at a couple of Request for Quotation (RFQ) notices right now, one for a small business set-aside for grounds care (NAICS 561730) due next month. I have my Unique Entity ID (UEI) from SAM.gov and I have my full SAM entity registration active, but I keep seeing references to a CAGE code. I asked someone at an APEX Accelerator and they said it was for my business location. When does a CAGE code get assigned? Is it part of the SAM registration or is it a separate process? How exactly does it differ from the UEI that SAM gave me?

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asked Jordan P. First-year bidder, landscaping and grounds · Jacksonville, FL · 472 rep

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A CAGE code is assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency as part of the SAM.gov entity registration process, not as a separate application. The CAGE code is a five-character code that uniquely identifies a business location, where the fifth position is always numeric and the letters I and O are not used. It differs from the Unique Entity ID (UEI) in its purpose and format. The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric value assigned by SAM.gov during registration, serving as the primary identifier for an entity across federal systems. While a UEI can be obtained without completing a full registration, a CAGE code is typically assigned when the full SAM entity registration is processed, enabling a business to bid on federal contracts. My company receives a CAGE code for each physical location we use for DLA contracts because each needs its own identifier for shipping and receiving. For federal contracts, both are necessary: the UEI identifies your business as a whole, and the CAGE code specifically identifies a business location.

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answered Dave H. Verified vendorParts distributor, DLA and DIBBS · Dayton, OH · 691 rep
Thanks, Dave. This helps me understand the difference. So, if I only have one main office location for my landscaping business, I'll only get one CAGE code when I finish my SAM.gov registration, right? · Jordan P. ·

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