UEI vs. CAGE Code: What Federal Contractors Need to Know
A UEI and a CAGE Code are different federal identifiers. SAM.gov assigns the UEI for entity identification, while the Defense Logistics Agency administers the CAGE program. Neither identifier is a contract number or solicitation number.
| Field | UEI | CAGE Code |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Unique Entity Identifier | Commercial and Government Entity Code |
| Format | 12 alphanumeric characters | 5 alphanumeric characters |
| Administered through | SAM.gov | DLA CAGE program |
| Primary role | Identifies an entity in federal award systems | Identifies an entity record in the CAGE system |
| Not the same as | CAGE, award PIID, or solicitation ID | UEI, award PIID, or solicitation ID |
What Is a UEI?
The Unique Entity Identifier is the federal government's entity identifier in SAM.gov. It contains 12 alphanumeric characters and is assigned by SAM.gov at no cost. Since April 2022, the federal government has used the government-issued UEI instead of the commercial DUNS number for entity identification in federal award systems.
Getting a UEI does not by itself mean an entity has completed an active SAM registration. SAM.gov allows an entity to obtain a UEI as part of registration or for certain uses that do not require full registration. Check the official entity record and registration status rather than treating the identifier alone as proof of eligibility.
Start with the SAM.gov Entity Information page when you need to verify a UEI. For registration instructions, use the official SAM.gov Entity Registration guidance.
What Is a CAGE Code?
CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity. A CAGE Code contains five alphanumeric characters. The Defense Logistics Agency administers the U.S. CAGE program and maintains the official search system. Foreign entities generally use an NCAGE Code through the NATO codification process.
CAGE processing and SAM registration interact, but a CAGE Code is not a replacement for a UEI. Verify CAGE information through the DLA CAGE system and confirm that the legal business name and address align with the SAM.gov entity you intend to research.
Why Can One Contractor Record Show Both?
Federal systems use identifiers for different purposes. The UEI provides the common entity identifier used across federal award systems. CAGE supports the government's CAGE record and related acquisition processes. Displaying both helps researchers resolve the correct entity, especially when companies have similar names or multiple locations.
Do not join records merely because one identifier, name fragment, address, or website appears similar. Confirm the identifiers on the same official entity record. Corporate parents, subsidiaries, divisions, and locations may have separate records; shared branding does not establish that two identifiers are interchangeable.
How to Verify a Federal Contractor
- Search the legal business name or exact identifier. Use SAM.gov for the UEI and DLA CAGE for the CAGE record.
- Match the legal entity. Compare the official name and available address information; do not rely on a display name alone.
- Check registration and record status separately. Possessing an identifier does not prove that every registration or representation is current.
- Resolve award history with the full award key. A PIID alone may not be globally unique, and it is not a solicitation identifier.
- Keep unknown fields unknown. If the exact official record does not support a relationship or classification, do not infer it from names or timing.
Sweetspot's federal contractor search lets you search by company name, UEI, CAGE Code, NAICS code, location, and business classification, then review reported award history. Sweetspot is a research tool, not the official entity registry; follow the SAM.gov and DLA links for authoritative status.
Common Identifier Mistakes
- Using DUNS as the current federal entity identifier. Historical records may still mention DUNS, but UEI is the current identifier used by federal award systems.
- Calling a CAGE Code a UEI. The formats and administering systems are different.
- Treating an identifier as active-registration proof. Verify status in the official record.
- Treating a contract number as a solicitation number. Award and notice identifiers have different roles.
- Merging related companies without evidence. Parent, subsidiary, and location relationships require explicit support.
For deeper definitions, see the Unique Entity Identifier guide and the CAGE Code guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a UEI the same as a CAGE Code?
No. A UEI is a 12-character SAM.gov entity identifier. A CAGE Code is a five-character identifier administered through the DLA CAGE program.
Did UEI replace the CAGE Code?
No. UEI replaced DUNS as the federal government's entity identifier. It did not replace CAGE Codes.
Is it free to get a UEI or CAGE Code?
SAM.gov assigns UEIs at no cost, and official CAGE processing does not require paying a third-party registration service. Use official government systems and be cautious with services that imply a government fee.
Can I search for a contractor using either identifier?
Yes, when the public record contains the identifier. Search SAM.gov or DLA CAGE for the official entity record, and use Sweetspot's contractor directory to explore reported federal award context.
Does a UEI or CAGE Code prove two companies are related?
No. Resolve each exact entity record. Parent, subsidiary, division, and location relationships require explicit official evidence and should not be inferred from similar names or shared websites.