How To Get A Cage Code
While government contracting can be lucrative, there are some steps you must take before you are eligible to bid on government contracts and this includes having a CAGE code assigned to your business. If you are wondering how to get a CAGE code, we can help. Heres a quick look at CAGE codes and the process.
What Is A CAGE Code?
CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity, and a unique CAGE code is assigned to all businesses and individuals that complete their System for Award Management registration. This system is a database that contains information about all active government contractors.
SAM registration is the process that you must complete to get your CAGE code, but it can be a difficult and time-consuming process. The application is lengthy and filled with government-speak and can take 10, 12 or more hours to complete. While the government does not charge a fee for SAM registration, many people opt to hire a third-party SAM registration service to complete this task.
At Federal Contractor Registry, we can complete your SAM registration quickly and accurately, so that you can receive your CAGE code as soon as possible. We compare ourselves to accountants because, while you could complete your taxes on your own for free, tax forms can be complicated and mistakes are costly, so it just makes sense to hire a pro.
Beyond Your CAGE Code
For Us Located Sam Registrants:
You do not need to have a CAGE Code prior to registering in the System for Award Management . Once you submit your Entity Registration for processing, SAM will send your entity information to the DLA for CAGE Code assignment. Once the DLA assigns the CAGE Code, SAM will receive and apply the code to the Entity Registration.
If the DLA needs any additional information for the assignment of your CAGE code, your Government Business Point of Contact will receive an email notification from the DLA. Please follow the instructions in the email to provide any requested information.
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Whats Next After Acquiring An Ncage Code And Registering With Sam
Obtaining an NCAGE code and registering your business in SAM are important steps to doing business with the government, but are only the some of the prerequisites before you get on a government contract vehicle like the GSA Schedule. If you want to offer your products and services through a GSA Schedule, check out our blog on Understanding the Basics of GSA Schedules or A Guide to Preparing Your GSA Schedule Proposal.
If at any point during the NCAGE Code or SAM registration process you need help, or you want to learn more about getting a GSA Schedule, reach out to one of our consultants. We can help you navigate all the requirements it takes for a foreign company to get on a GSA Schedule.
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Request A Cage Code Through The Defense Logistics Agency
You are now ready to complete the online forms on the DLA website. Once it is confirmed your business has no duplicate registrations, the information will be process within 10 business days. You will then be contacted by telephone or email for additional verification or to request additional documentation needed for processing, and a response is required from you within five days. Once this verification process is completed, DLA will submit the processed record to SAM to notify your entity if it is now active and eligible for contracts and/or grants.
Cage Code Registration And Status Check
Registering in SAM for a CAGE Code is mandatory if you wish to sell directly to the federal government.
To get registered in SAM and get a CAGE Code, go to www.sam.gov
- If you don’t have an account with SAM.gov, you must create one
You can update your SAM registration by following the instructions here.
You can check the status of your CAGE Code and get detailed information about CAGE Codes here.
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Why Do You Need A Cage Code
Obtaining a CAGE code is part of SAM Registration and means your business will become eligible to access a share of valuable federal funding and contracting opportunities. Furthermore, if your organization qualifies as a small business, operates in a HUBZone, or is owned by women, socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or veterans, having a CAGE code will make it eligible to be certified for an even greater range of exclusive federal contracts and benefits as well.
How Do I Apply For A Cage Code
A Commercial and Government Entity, or CAGE, code is a federal identification number for businesses that contract with the government. All companies that want to do business with the federal government must obtain a CAGE code. It is tied to a company profile that contains basic information, which government agencies use to quickly determine if a company is a good fit for a particular contract before reading a bid proposal. The government provides CAGE codes after a business owner registers as a contractor on the Central Contractor Registration.
1.
Gather the appropriate documentation. You must provide your Employer Identification Number or Tax ID number and a Data Universal Numbering System number . You can obtain the EIN or TIN form the Internal Revenue Service website. You can obtain a DUNS number from the Dun & Bradstreet website.
2.
Go to the Central Contractor Registration website. Click the “Start New Registration” button.
3.
Enter your name, the company’s DUNS number, the Doing Business As of your company and the address. Click “Continue Registration”
References
Tips
- It takes from three to five business days for the government to process CAGE code applications. You will receive the code in the mail within two weeks of applying.
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What Is An Ncage Code
The Commercial and Government Entity Codes and NCAGE Codes are used to recognize companies that sell to the government. Domestic companies that provide products or services to the government are given a designated CAGE Code. However, for foreign companies and non-U.S. based parent companies located outside the U.S., you will need an NCAGE Code from the NATO codification system community.
Established in 1958, the federal government uses the five-character NCAGE Code to identify various companies outside the United States and facilitate the supply chain. After receiving a NCAGE Code, the next step toward bidding on contract opportunities is registering in SAM.
For any company contracted to sell products and/or services to the government, the NCAGE Code relates to everything you do. For example, when you bid on a contract, your NCAGE Code is included on the first page of your 1449 form. The NCAGE Code is also used to manage process and procedures related to your GSA Schedule contract.
When Do Cage Codes Expire
CAGE codes expire every five years based on the last time you updated your entity registration in the System for Award Management tool.
If you update your SAM profile annually, youll automatically be renewing your CAGE code information.
Your CAGE code does not have an expiration date if your company received its CAGE code before August 26, 2016.
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Should I Put My Cage Code On My Website
Often, small businesses owners are concerned about sharing their CAGE code on their company website and other marketing material. Go ahead and put your CAGE code on your website it was designed specifically to be a publicly available unique identifier.
Unlike your social security number and your Employer Identification Number which are sensitive information and should not be publicly shared, the CAGE code was designed to be used in the many publicly accessible systems used by the United States federal government.
For example, USA Spending and the Federal Procurement Database System provide data about contract awards made by federal government agencies. This information includes the terms of agreement, amount of the award, and details about the company that won each award. These tools use the CAGE code as a way of keeping the information in sync among the governments systems.
Protect your social security number. Protect your employer identification number. But proudly and broadly share your CAGE code. Thats one way a federal buyer can research you to see if you are procurement ready and evaluate any of your past performance.
How Do I Find My Organizations Cage Code
If you dont know your CAGE code or simply want to check it for some reason, you can search got a CAGE code at SAM.gov. Open the SAM.gov website, open the search box and type in the official name of your organization. Make sure to provide the same entity name that you used when you registered in the System for Award Management. If you dont know the official name of the organization you can attempt using its other particulars: DUNS number, address, town, zip code. Needless to say, you can also find CAGE codes of other organizations.
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Who Needs An Ncage Code
As we mentioned before, any foreign organization that wishes to conduct business with the U.S. government will need an NCAGE Code. This includes certain U.S.-based companies that fall under the asset umbrella of a non-U.S. based parent company. Alternatively, any U.S. businesses that only wish to work with foreign governments will need an NCAGE Code.
Its important to note that any U.S. subsidiaries will also need to apply for a CAGE Code if they wish to sell to the U.S. federal government through a GSA Schedule or any other government contract vehicle.
What Is A Cage Code And Why Do Government Contractors Need One
A CAGE code is a five-character alpha-numeric, unique identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency . CAGE codes are assigned to businesses, organizations, etc. that wish to pursue contracts or grants from the United States federal government.
In my 20 years as a government contractor, I knew enough to have my CAGE code, but never understood its purpose, especially when you consider the other unique IDs businesses use.
In researching this article, Ive realized the value and purpose of a CAGE code, where it is helpful to the government and how it ties together with the other unique identifiers used in federal government contracting.
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Why Do You Need A Cage Code As A Gsa Schedule Contractor
As mentioned before, obtaining a CAGE code is a prerequisite for selling to the government. Your CAGE Code supports the procurement and acquisition processes. In addition to being used here in the U.S., CAGE Codes are used internationally through the NATO Codification System . This could be useful if youre a company that sells products internationally.
If you need help finding your CAGE Code or if you need help with any other requirements in the GSA Schedule acquisition process, reach out to one of our consultants! Our consultants are well-versed in the government contracting world, and are always here to help you acquire a GSA Schedule contract and help you maintain it.
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At Winvale, Carter is involved with both the Business Development and Consulting departments where he assists with blog writing, analytical research and marketing for program initiatives and events. While assisting different Winvale teams, Carter has helped draft summaries and reports, worked on a variety of marketing strategies, and contributed to the daily needs and responsibilities of his team members.
3951 Westerre Parkway, Suite 250Richmond, VA 23233
Why Choose Famr To Get Your Cage Code
Federal Award Management Registration is an independent consulting firm dedicated to assisting businesses in conquering the Federal Market.Here at FAMR, our team of advisors are prepared to register your business so that you can start earning federal contracts, funding, and other benefits from the governments System for Award Management today.
When you register by yourself
Although the government does not charge a fee for CAGE Code registration, the registration process is time-consuming and complicated. Many potential contractors become frustrated with the process and give up on the idea of government contracting and thats a shame because there are many lucrative contracts out there for just about any type of business.
A lot of hassle
You have to figure out everything yourself. There is a lot of steps you will have to go through your application.
Take longer to get certified
You could take months or even years away from your business trying to complete your registration and certication on your own missing out on contracting opportunities that your business needs to grow.
Complex process
You will find yourself trying so hard to make sure you get the registration right the first time. And you are also likely to be unaware of a few requirements.
Do it alone
Right now, business owners who are willing to research the registration process may file for CAGE Code themselves.
When you register with FAMR
Easy registration
The fastest solution
Effortless process
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Getting A Duns Number
You can apply for a Data Universal Number by calling 1-866-594-2464 or by applying at the official site of Dunn & Broadstreet. This process takes a minimum of 30 business days for a DUNS Number to be processed and assigned. You may be offered the ability to expedite the process to a 24 hour periodfor a fee.
Dun And Bradstreet Number
A 9-digit data universal numbering system number created by Dun and Bradstreet is required to obtain a CAGE code. Dun and Bradstreet maintains profiles of 250 million businesses internationally. A business profile consists of the business name, phone number, address, type of service, and credit information about the nonprofit or for-profit entity. A Dun and Bradstreet Number is required to apply for federal government grants.
GSA Schedule | Government | 3 Min Read
As a GSA Schedule contractor, you are given a multitude of codes that signify your industry, business size, unique identification, and location. One of these essential codes is the CAGE Code. The Commercial And Government Entity Code, or CAGE Code, is a five-character ID used frequently in the government as an identifier for suppliers to the federal government. Why is it important for GSA Schedule contractors? Lets cover what a CAGE Code is, why its important, and how you can get one.
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What Is A Cage Code
Commercial and Government Entity Codes are five-digit ID numbers that are assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency as a necessary part of the SAM Registration process. They not only identify your business or organization but also specific locations, meaning you could have multiple CAGE Codes assigned to different offices or facilities. The federal government uses these to recognize businesses and other legal bodies they interact with.
CAGE codes create the foundation of how organizations engage with the federal government. Theyre used to obtain everything from the clearance needed to operate facilities to the federal grants and contracting opportunities that drive their business.
While there is no cost for an organization that chooses to acquire a CAGE code themselves, many opt to use dedicated registration services instead. This alleviates the dozens of hours of clerical labor involved and guarantees the success of their registration.
Getting A Cage Code If Youre Not A Government Contractor
In this blog, Ive described getting a CAGE code from the perspective of a new government contractor. The process for them is straight-forward using the System for Award Management as well as being automated.
If you are not a government contractor or seeking federal government grants, you can still get a CAGE code. Instead of using SAM.gov, you would apply directly to the Defense Logistics Agencys Commercial and Government Entity Program Office through their website located here.
According to DLA, in addition to receiving government contracting or grants, you would need a CAGE code for:
- Facility Security Clearance
- Assignment of a Department of Defense Activity Address Code
The process to register directly with DLA will take 5-10 minutes and requires minimal information about your company and the reason for applying.
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Do I Have To Pay To Get A Cage Code
DLA does not charge for CAGE codes. To apply for and receive a CAGE code is FREE.
Companies wishing to sell products and services to the federal government can obtain a CAGE code when they register their company in the System for Award Management it happens automatically if you do not already have a CAGE code.
Why Hire Federal Contractor Registry
At Federal Contractor Registry, we offer complete SAM registration services for just $597, and that prize includes many value-added items that other registration services just don’t provide. Here’s what we provide to each of our clients:
- 100% accurate SAM Registration & Setup
- We save you time and allow you to focus on your business and generating revenue
- We can help you procure the new SAM Unique Entity ID
- We can help with the SAM Notarized Letter requirement
- We can help with SBA Registration
We introduce Super 8a Contractors to other Federal Contractors in the FCR Network
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