US Federal Readiness
UEI lookup.
A Unique Entity ID (UEI) is the 12-character code SAM.gov assigns to every registered entity. It replaced the DUNS number in 2022. Here's what it is, how to find yours, and how to look up anyone else's — for free.
If you're new to federal contracting, the UEI is the ID every system asks for. If you're vetting a partner or competitor, it's how you confirm they're a real, active registered entity.
UEI at a glance.
| What it is | A 12-character alphanumeric ID assigned to entities in SAM.gov |
| Who issues it | The U.S. General Services Administration, inside SAM.gov |
| Cost | Free — there is no charge to get or look up a UEI |
| Replaced | The DUNS number, retired by the federal government in April 2022 |
| Expiry | The UEI itself does not expire (the SAM registration around it must be renewed yearly) |
| Where to look it up | The public entity search on sam.gov |
How to look up a UEI.
The lookup is public and free on the official site. You only need an account to view or edit your own registration.
- 01
Go to SAM.gov entity search
Open the public search on sam.gov. You do not need an account to look up an entity that has made its record public.
- 02
Search by name, UEI, or CAGE
Enter the legal business name, an existing UEI, or a CAGE code. SAM.gov returns matching registered entities with their UEI, CAGE code, status, and registration dates.
- 03
Confirm the entity is active
Check the registration status. Only entities with an active registration are eligible for most new federal awards — an entity can hold a valid UEI but have a lapsed registration.
Look up entities at the official site, sam.gov. Sell to State is not affiliated with SAM.gov, GSA, or any U.S. government agency.
A UEI verifies. We help you win.
A UEI tells you an entity is real and registered. It doesn't tell you what they buy, who they sell to, or which contracts are open right now. That's discovery — a different job.
Sell to State is where that job gets done. Search government tenders in plain English, profile any buying agency or supplier, see award history, and get alerts on new opportunities — across federal, state, and local markets and 194 countries.
Keep going
Get contract-ready
- SAM.gov registration — How to register and get your UEI and CAGE code
- Capability statement — Where your UEI and CAGE go on the one-page seller's resume
- Find tenders — Search open government opportunities across 194 markets
- Tender alerts — Get notified the moment a matching contract posts
- Government procurement software — How the full discovery stack fits together
Frequently asked questions
What is a UEI number?
A Unique Entity ID (UEI) is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier the U.S. General Services Administration assigns to entities in SAM.gov. It is how federal systems uniquely reference a business across contracts and financial assistance. It replaced the DUNS number in April 2022.
How do I find my UEI number?
Sign in to SAM.gov and open your entity record — your UEI is shown on your registration. To look up another entity, use the public entity search on sam.gov and search by legal business name, UEI, or CAGE code.
Is a UEI the same as a DUNS number?
No. The UEI is the federal government's own identifier, assigned inside SAM.gov, and it replaced the third-party DUNS number in April 2022. If you have old records that reference a DUNS number, the UEI is its successor for federal purposes.
Is a UEI the same as a CAGE code?
No. The UEI is a 12-character identifier from SAM.gov; the CAGE code is a separate 5-character code from the Defense Logistics Agency. Full SAM registration produces both, and an entity record shows them side by side.
Does it cost anything to get or look up a UEI?
No. Getting a UEI and looking one up on SAM.gov are both free. The government does not charge for either, and you do not need a third-party service to obtain a UEI — it is generated automatically during SAM.gov entity validation.
Why would a supplier look up another company's UEI?
To verify a partner, subcontractor, or competitor is a real registered federal entity, to confirm their registration is active before teaming, or to cross-reference award records. Sell to State complements this: once you've verified an entity, use it to research the agencies they sell to and the contracts they win.
Find the tender before your competitor does.
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