Guide
What Is a CAGE Code? Meaning, Use & Lookup
What is a CAGE code? It is a 5-character Commercial and Government Entity identifier attached to a federal vendor or location. Here is what it means, who assigns it, and how to check one.
What a CAGE code identifies
CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity. In the United States the code is assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA); for entities outside the U.S. the equivalent is an NCAGE code.
It identifies a specific business location and appears across federal systems — contracts, payments, and the entity's SAM registration. A CAGE code is an identifier, not a clearance or an award.
CAGE code lookup: where to check one
To resolve a 5-character code to its entity, use the CAGE code lookup. It returns the legal name, recorded registration status, expiration, address and capability codes from a dated public SAM.gov record.
You can also search by company name when you do not have the code. Compare the returned legal name and address with the vendor you are vetting before relying on the result.
You can also cross-reference the official DLA CAGE Search & Inquiry tool at cage.dla.mil, and the authoritative entity record at sam.gov.
CAGE code vs. UEI
A UEI is SAM.gov's 12-character Unique Entity Identifier; a CAGE code is a 5-character entity or location code. They are different identifiers that can point to the same SAM registration.
Use the identifier you have, then check the matching legal name, status and expiration date in the dated record. When a vendor has more than one location, its CAGE codes may differ even though the organization shares a UEI.
CAGE code lookup questions
What is a CAGE code used for?
A CAGE code identifies a specific business location in federal procurement and related systems, including contracts, payments and SAM registration records.
Who assigns a CAGE code?
The Defense Logistics Agency assigns CAGE codes to entities in the United States. Entities outside the United States use an equivalent NCAGE code.
Can I look up a CAGE code by company name?
Yes. CageCheck's free CAGE code lookup accepts a company name as well as a CAGE code, then shows the matching dated public SAM.gov record when one is found.
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.
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