UEI (Unique Entity Identifier)

The 12-character alphanumeric code assigned by SAM.gov that replaced the DUNS number as the required identifier for all entities doing business with the federal government.

The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric code SAM.gov assigns to every entity registered to do business with the federal government. It replaced the 9-digit DUNS number in April 2022 as the U.S. government brought entity identification management in-house rather than relying on a private commercial provider.

Why the UEI Is Required

The UEI appears on every federal proposal, contract, invoice, and grant application. It is the primary key linking an entity across all federal systems, from SAM.gov registration to FPDS-NG contract award records to SBA certification databases. Without an active SAM.gov registration and a valid UEI, a company cannot receive a federal award.

How to Get One

UEIs are assigned automatically during SAM.gov entity registration. No separate application is needed. Companies that held DUNS numbers before April 2022 received UEIs automatically during the transition. For new registrations, the UEI is generated as part of the standard entity validation process. Unlike the DUNS number, UEIs are assigned at no charge.

How UEI Differs from DUNS

The DUNS was a proprietary identifier managed by Dun and Bradstreet. Transitioning to UEI removed the government's dependency on a private company and gave the General Services Administration direct control over entity identity data. Legacy historical records in older systems may still reference DUNS numbers, but all current and future awards use the UEI.

Maintaining Your Registration

A UEI is permanent and does not change when you update your business name, address, or other registration data. Your SAM.gov registration, however, must be renewed annually to remain active. An expired registration means your UEI is tied to an inactive entity and you become ineligible to receive new federal awards until the registration is renewed.