SAMS Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
As of April 4, 2022, the federal government began identifying contractors by Unique Entity ID (UEI) rather than DUNS Number. The UEI is a 12-character alphanumeric identifier assigned to contractors by SAM.gov.
System of Award Management (SAM)
System for Award Management (SAM) is the primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. SAM collects, validates, stores, and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions, including Federal agency contract and assistance awards. Both current and potential federal government registrants are required to register in SAM in order to be awarded contracts by the federal government. Registrants are required to complete a one-time registration to provide basic information relevant to procurement and financial transactions. Visit the
System for Award Management (SAM) website for registration information.
DUNS Number
A DUNS number is a unique nine-digit identifier that is provided and maintained exclusively by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). There is no cost to obtain a DUNS number and doing so verifies the existence of a business entity and ensures the entity is listed in D&B's global database. Contractors are NOT required to have a DUNS Number, though it is useful for checking business's financial health. Visit the Dun & Bradstreet DUNS Number site for more information.
HUBZone Map Changes per the May PTAC Newsletter:
- The SBA’s Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) Map is changing July 1. Preview the new map here and contact your PTAC about questions related to future eligibility in this program. Also, check out these HUBzone workshops coming up May 17 for existing certified firms and July 20 for those interested in applying to access the $14 billion in HUBZone contracts each year.
- From what I can see, some local businesses located in downtown Kennewick area and perhaps in west Pasco could be in what are determined to be ‘re-designated areas’, and if so, could be at risk of losing their HUBZone status withing the next few years.
- I encourage you to consider reviewing any HZ certified subcontractors you work with and help them get in touch with their local PTAC for guidance if needed.
- On the HUBZone map, there are special regions known as “redesignated areas”. The HUBZone program is required to re-categorize areas who lose their qualified status so that they have a 3 year grace period for the transition. Any new “redesignated areas” on the map will expire in July of 2026 and will lose their qualification at that time.
- For more info: HUBZone Map is Changing for Certified Small Businesses | Select GCR
SBA Table of size standards
The SBA's table of small business size standards helps small businesses assess their business size.
The table of size standards can also be found online in the small business size regulations set forth in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
You can also check whether your business is small using the size standards tool.
Certain government programs, such as SBA loan programs and contracting opportunities, are reserved for small businesses. In order to qualify, businesses must satisfy SBA's definition of a small business concern, along with the size standards for small business.
What is a small business size standard?
A size standard, which is usually stated in number of employees or average annual receipts, represents the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business for SBA and federal contracting programs. The definition of “small” varies by industry.
How to calculate your small business size
Size standards are mostly based on the average annual receipts or the average number of employees.
More information
For more information about size standards, contact the size standards specialist at your nearest SBA Government Contracting Area Office. You also can contact the Office of Size Standards by email at sizestandards@sba.gov or by phone at 202-205-6618.
Important Notice: Businesses registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) must update their SAM registration in order to have their small business status updated based on the new size standards that became effective December 19, 2022. Until the SAM registration is updated, the SAM profiles will continue to display the small business status under the old size standards.
