Unique Entity ID (UEI)

The Unique Entity ID, or UEI, is a twelve-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to an entity when it registers in SAM.gov. It replaced the privately issued DUNS number as the federal government's entity identifier in 2022. The UEI appears on contracts, in payment systems and in federal spending data, and it stays with the entity across registrations.

Contractors should confirm that the UEI on their SAM record matches the one on each contract and invoice, especially after a merger, reorganization or name change. The UEI is assigned by the government through SAM.gov at no charge; third-party services are not required to obtain or maintain it.