--- title: What is a CAGE Code description: A CAGE code is issued once a firm registers in CCR.gov. CAGE codes are assigned and used when seeking to obtain a GSA Schedule. --- [![Turbo GSA Logo](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/file-14156912-png/images/logo.png "Turbo GSA Logo")](https://www.turbogsa.com/) 866-291-5238 ![gsa schedule solicitations](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/images/manage-GSA-schedule-risk-maximize-profit.jpg) # What is a Cage Code and Why Every Business Needs One ## What is a Cage Code? The CAGE Code is a five-character ID number used by the Federal Government to identify vendors.  It’s like a vehicle identification number for your company. Just as every car must have a VIN to be tracked and registered, every contractor must have a CAGE Code to be identified in federal procurement systems. It is obtained at teh same time you recevie your Unique Entity Identifier number, which will eventually replace tege CAGE Code.  ![generate graphic depicting a registration code required for government contractors called a CAGE code It stands for Commercial And Government Entity-1](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/generate%20graphic%20depicting%20a%20registration%20code%20required%20for%20government%20contractors%20called%20a%20CAGE%20code%20It%20%20stands%20for%20Commercial%20And%20Government%20Entity-1.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=generate%20graphic%20depicting%20a%20registration%20code%20required%20for%20government%20contractors%20called%20a%20CAGE%20code%20It%20%20stands%20for%20Commercial%20And%20Government%20Entity-1.png) ## A CAGE Code is Mandatory Obtaining a CAGE Code is mandatory in order to do business with the Federal government through a ***GSA Schedule or any other federal contract***. ## How CAGE Codes are used? The CAGE Code is used to support a variety of automated systems throughout the government and provides a standardized method of identifying a given facility at a specific location.  The code may be used for ## How do I get a CAGE Code - sam.gov ![sam.gov](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/images/sam-website.png) You obtain a CAGE Code by registering your business in the **System for Award Management (SAM.gov)**. Registration in SAM is mandatory for companies that want to do business with the federal government, whether through a GSA Schedule or any other federal contract. SAM registration provides government agencies with essential details about your company and serves as the central database where they verify your information. It also enables agencies to pay your invoices electronically if you’re awarded a contract. When you complete your registration in SAM, your business will automatically be assigned a CAGE Code. While this does not guarantee you will win a government contract, it is a required first step before you can compete for federal opportunities. Importantly, **there is no fee to register in SAM**, and the process is relatively straightforward. As a result, most businesses do not need to hire a third-party registration service to complete this task.   **[What information will you need to obtain a CAGE CODE >>](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/gsa-faq/what-is-a-cage-code/information-needed-to-get-a-cage-code/)** ## How Do I Find my Organization's CAGE Code To locate your organization’s CAGE Code, start by using the **Search Records** function on [SAM.gov](https://sam.gov). Enter your organization’s full legal name to see if it appears in the results. If nothing comes up, try using a shorter or alternate version of the name, as your company’s registered legal name may differ slightly from the name you commonly use. You can also search by location (such as city or ZIP code), or by entering your organization’s **DUNS number**. Since the DUNS is unique to each business, it will cross-reference directly with the associated CAGE Code. If your business still does not appear, it likely means your company has not yet registered in SAM. ### What is my SAM Code? Occasionally, some agencies mistakenly ask vendors for a “SAM Code.” To be clear, **no such code exists.** What they are actually seeking is either your - **Unique Entity Identifier (UEI),** or your - **CAGE Code**. If you’re ever asked for a “SAM Code,” simply provide your UEI and CAGE Code instead. ## CAGE Code for Bidding on Government Contracts Obtaining a CAGE code is just one small part of the process of winning government contracts. Before you begin bidding on government contracts, the following free resources will help you understand the process of developing federal government contract bids as well as ways to shorten the time to obtain a government contract. ### Understand the GSA Schedule Game If you are interested in learning more about the process for winning GSA contract, please download the free "[Introduction to GSA Schedules](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedules-a-very-short-introduction)" or the  "[GSA Schedule Game](https://www.turbogsa.com/get-the-gsa-schedule-game/)" ### [![Obtaining-GSA-Contract-bg.jpg](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Obtaining-GSA-Contract-bg.jpg?width=401&height=434&name=Obtaining-GSA-Contract-bg.jpg)](https://gsaacademy.teachable.com/p/how-to-obtain-a-gsa-contract) ### New to Federal Contracting? If you are new to federal contracting, our FedBiz Mentor service provides you with assessments, training, and consulting/coaching. Find out more: # Become a Government Contractor  [![government contracting](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/images/new-government-contractor.png)](https://www.turbogsa.com/entering-the-federal-market/) [![GSA Proposal](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/images/GSA%20Proposal-resized-153.png)](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-proposal/) [**Obtain a GSA Contract **](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-overview/) [**Manage Your GSA Contract **](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-management/) [**Market your GSA Contract **](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-marketing/)   **Key Questions:** [What is a GSA Schedule Contract?](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/what-is-a-gsa-schedule-contract/) [Why Do I need a GSA Contract?](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/why-do-i-need-a-gsa-schedule-contract/) [Qualifying for a GSA Contract](https://www.turbogsa.com/qualifying-for-a-gsa-schedule/) [How do I get a GSA contract?](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/applying-for-a-gsa-contract/) [Other FAQs](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/gsa-faq/) **Learn More:** [About GSA](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/gsa-faq/) [About our Services](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-overview/) [![Obtaining-GSA-Contract-sm.jpg](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Obtaining-GSA-Contract-sm.jpg?width=640&name=Obtaining-GSA-Contract-sm.jpg)](https://gsaacademy.teachable.com/p/how-to-obtain-a-gsa-contract)      [![GSA checklist](https://www.turbogsa.com/hs-fs/CTA-side-GSA-Intro-1-02.png)](https://cta-service-cms2.hubspot.com/cs/c/?&cta_guid=3ced64f6-7018-4de9-a69c-e77862e7c1dd&placement_guid=66439fcd-7844-485f-b447-fb6ed408821c&portal_id=46415&redirect_url=il3AdFS1q20/%2Bn%2Bb77NW2G%2Blf80RfXud1fFllWeilVOwtVSHJ7m6uSLSU5w/MKrlNknE7jilKlRZ%2BZNXI8ycUA%3D%3D&iv=2MkDuwnzukA%3D)   ### Follow TurboGSA ### Services [GSA Schedule Preparation](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-overview/) [GSA Contact Modification](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-management/) [Federal Marketing](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-marketing/) [GSA Training](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-workshops-gsa-schedule-training/) ### Learn about [What is a GSA Schedule](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/what-is-a-gsa-schedule-contract/) [Why do I need a GSA Contact](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/why-do-i-need-a-gsa-schedule-contract/) [Get on the GSA Schedule](https://www.turbogsa.com/getting-on-gsa-schedule/) [Qualify for a GSA Schedule](https://www.turbogsa.com/qualifying-for-a-gsa-schedule/) [GSA Audit](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-workshops-gsa-schedule-training/gsa-audit) ### More GSA Info [GSA Schedule FAQ](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/gsa-faq/) [GSA Schedule Sales](https://www.turbogsa.com/resources/gsa-schedules-sales/) [Federal Marketing Articles](https://www.turbogsa.com/blog/) [Obtain GSA](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-overview/) | [Manage GSA](https://www.turbogsa.com/gsa-schedule-management/) | [Government Sales](https://www.turbogsa.com/b2g-marketing/) | [Learn More](https://www.turbogsa.com/government-contracting/) | [About Us](https://www.turbogsa.com/about-turbo-gsa/) | [Contact US](https://www.turbogsa.com/contact-us/) © 2013 Training Dimensions, Inc. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "VideoObject", "contentUrl" : "https://46415.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/46415/Videos/What%20is%20a%20GSA%20Contract.mp4", "dateModified" : "2025-04-05T12:56:29.356Z", "duration" : "PT1M59.188S", "height" : 720, "name" : "What is a GSA Contract", "thumbnailUrl" : "https://46415.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/46415/Videos/What%20is%20a%20GSA%20Contract.mp4/medium.jpg?t=1743857789356", "uploadDate" : "2022-02-26T16:59:25.633Z", "width" : 1280 } ```