Register with SAM.Gov: 5 Quick Tips for Aspiring Government Contractors
Becoming a government contractor is fascinating but you need to go through a plethora of process to become a registered government contractor. First, it’s important to register with SAM, else further process is not quite possible.
If you don’t know what SAM is, let us tell you it stands for the System for Award Management. A central database for all the government contractors, this is the one platform that brings several databases together, including the Online Representations and Certification Application (ORCA) and the Central Contractor Registration (CCR).
Here are the basics that you would certainly need when it comes to register with SAM.
1. Collect all the Basic Information
Get every details of your company, such as your company tax ID number, small business certification from the concerned authority , and all that is mentioned in the tax forms.
Routing number and business bank account number should also be mentioned while filling up the form. This account number has to be stored in the SAM account as the payments will be made from this. In addition, you must learn to know about the North American Industry Classification System Codes,, which provides a detailed idea of the specific goods or services that your company deals with.
2. Be Ready with Your DUNS Number
DUNS stands for Data Universal Numbering System, and this is assigned to every business free of cost. You are not at all a recognized entity unless you have a DUNS number. If you are not sure if you have a DUNS, simply go to the Dun & Bradstreet website and check or apply for one at https://www.dnb.com/duns-number/get-a-duns.html. Remember , you need to apply for it as soon as possible you register your business.
3. Share your Notarized Letter
So far Notarized letters were not that mandatory. In fact, it started recently and one of the integral parts when it comes to register with SAM. Introduced after a suspected fraud in the SAM database a year or so ago, the GSA does not let any business register with SAM without sending in the notarized letter. As of now, the expediency of the registration process is subject to the availability of the notarized letter. However, such letters are not at all required during reneal of your registration.
4. Getting registered with SBA
Are you a small business looking for federal contracting opportunities? In that case, you must register yourself with SBA or Small Business Administration even before you register with SAM. It helps small businesses thrive and grow, even with limited resource and least experience.
5. Know Your Set-Aside Codes
The set-asides of the federal government helps you make the most of your government marketing strategy. The SBA has designated several categories for the special business types. They are defined as per their specific code, which is called set-aside code. It is so defined because a portion of the federal contracting budget is “set aside” specifically for the small businesses.
Final Thoughts
Having your SAM registration is extremely important before you start operating as a small business entity. So, waste time no more. Get the basics right and register with SAM with your notarized letter.
