Guide
UEI vs CAGE code: what's the difference?
Federal vendors carry two key identifiers: a UEI and a CAGE code. They are not the same thing, and knowing which is which makes vendor vetting much easier.
UEI — Unique Entity Identifier
The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by SAM.gov. In April 2022 it replaced the DUNS number as the primary way the government identifies an entity. Every active SAM registration has a UEI.
Use the UEI when you want the authoritative SAM record: registration status, expiration date, NAICS/PSC, and exclusions all key off the UEI.
CAGE code — Commercial and Government Entity
The CAGE code is a 5-character code assigned (in the U.S.) by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). It identifies a specific facility/location of an entity and is widely used in defense and procurement systems.
An entity gets its CAGE code as part of SAM registration. You can look an entity up by CAGE and resolve the same SAM record.
How they work together
One entity has one UEI and typically one CAGE code (sometimes more, for multiple locations). Both point to the same SAM registration, so you can vet a vendor with either identifier.
CageCheck accepts a UEI, a CAGE code, or a legal name and returns the same vetting card either way.
SAM.gov registration and renewal are FREE at sam.gov. The U.S. Government never charges you to register, renew, or update a SAM.gov registration.
CageCheck is an independent, privately operated service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the U.S. Government, the General Services Administration (GSA), SAM.gov, or any government agency. The official registry is at sam.gov.
Look up a UEI or CAGE code
Open the checker →