What is SAM.gov?
SAM.gov is the System for Award Management (SAM) in which businesses must register to contract with the US Government and for non-profits to receive grants. The registration is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. It is recommended to renew 45-60 days prior to expiration.
What are the Changes?
Combining SAM.gov and Beta.SAM.gov
The merging of SAM.gov and beta.SAM.gov took place on May 24, 2021. All information from beta.SAM.gov has been merged into SAM.gov. SAM.gov provided for entity registration, exclusions, entity reporting, and disaster response registry while beta.SAM.gov provided additional functions including contract opportunities, contract data reports, wage determinations, assistance listings, and Federal hierarchy. All functions can now be found in https://sam.gov/content/home. The search function has been streamlined with advanced filters so you may want to take a minute to check out the different search functions.
DUNS Will not be Used Going Forward.
Beginning in April 2022, the government is changing from using the DUNS number as an entity’s unique identifier to a system generated Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number which is a 12-character, alpha numeric value that is not linked to a company’s CAGE code or Employee Identification Number. Current SAM users have been automatically assigned an UEI which is viewable in SAM. The information in the registration, core data, assertions, representation and certifications, and points of contact has not changed and entities that have multiple DUNS registered in SAM were assigned a UEI for each unique entity.
Do I Use My DUNS Number or the UEI in My Proposals?
Until the Government fully implements UEIs in April 2022, contractors should continue to use DUNS numbers in their proposals. The SAM profiles include an asterisk that states “The DUNS number is currently the official Unique Entity ID” to let contractors know that the DUNS is the official identification number to use.
What are Some Benefits of the UEI?
This transition will allow GSA to streamline the entity registration and validation process in SAM. Currently, entities that register in SAM have to follow a two-step process. Entities have to request a DUNS’ number from Dun and Bradstreet and then register in SAM to do business with the government. Upon full implementation, new entities that wish to do business with the Government will go directly to SAM and request an UEI number. It will also be easier to update addresses or other corporate information. In addition, companies will no longer have to deal with the D&B help desk related to DUNS numbers or records and the Federal Service Desk (FSD) for help with the SAM entity registration; there will be a single help desk to assist with either UEI or entity registration issues.
Redstone GCI can assist Clients in registering their entity in SAM and completing the required information including core data, and representations and certifications required. Redstone GCI works with contractors throughout the U.S. and internationally with understanding the Government’s expectations in applying FAR requirements.
Lynne is a Director with Redstone Government Consulting, Inc. providing government contract consulting services to our clients primarily related to Commercial Item Determinations and support, Cost Accounting Standards, DFARS Business System Audits, Proposals, and Incurred Cost. Prior to joining Redstone Government Consulting, Lynne served in several capacities with DCAA and DCMA for over 35 years. Professional Experience Lynne began her career working with DCAA in the Honeywell Resident Office, Clearwater, FL in 1984. Lynne’s experience included various positions which involved conducting or reviewing forward proposals or rate audits, financial capability audits, progress payments, accounting and estimating systems, cost accounting standards, claims and disclosure statement reviews. She is an expert in FAR, DFARS, CAS and testified as an expert witness. Lynne assisted in drafting the commercial item guidance for DCAA Headquarters. Lynne was assigned as a Regional Technical Specialist where she provided guidance to 20 field offices on highly complex or technical issues relative to forward pricing, financial capability or progress payment issues. As an Assistant for Quality, she was involved in reviewing and ensuring audit reports were in compliance with policy and GAGAS as well as made NASBA certified presentations to the staff including but not limited to billing reviews, CAS, unallowable cost and progress payments. To enhance her experience in government contracting, Lynne accepted a position with DCMA in 2015 as part of the newly organized DCMA Cadre of Experts in the Commercial Item Group. This included performing reviews of prime contractor’s assertions and/or commercial item determinations as well as performing price analyses. Lynne was a project lead and later became a lead analyst where she engaged with the buying commands on requests and reviewed price analysis reviews performed by a team of 5 analysts. She also assisted the DCMA CPSR team relative to commercial items and co-instructed the Commercial Item Training presented to DCMA. Education Lynne earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from the University of Central Florida. Certifications State of Florida Certified Public Accountant State of Alabama Certified Public Accountant Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III- Auditing DAWIA Level III – Contracting